Salvation for All!

IMAGINE!!!… You are given a platform to declare the gospel. What OLD TESTAMENT book comes to your mind to use first? Would you use the old testament, could you use the old testament?

Genesis… (maybe share the origin of sin?)

Esther… (describe a redeemer)

Psalms… (look at multiple passages on the promised Messiah?)

Odds are… the small book of Joel tucked away with the other minor prophets would not be one of your first go to books, if even on your radar!

Book of Joel:

Speaks to the coming “Day of the Lord”

God judges SIN

The need to REPENT!

God provides Salvation (To those who Call On Him)

As we begin to look over and study some of the critical sermons in the book of Acts you will discover they reference the scriptures often. These scriptures are referring to are either the old testament scriptures or words in which Jesus Himself spoke.

Our sermon today takes place at the Jewish celebration Pentecost. It is this day God has chosen to send His Holy Spirit (the Helper as Christ referred to Him) upon ALL believers!

These believers begin to praise God speaking in tongues of the people there listening.

A clear indicator from the beginning that the gospel message and plan of God is a global one!

People are amazed, bewildered, some thinking they are even drunk…

They had not given control to drink rather they are controlled by the Holy Spirit of God!

It is in this setting that Peter begins to preach and he references Joel along with some other Old Testament Scriptures…

Acts 2:14–40 NASB95

But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. ‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. “For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. ‘You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’ “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”

Acts 2:14–40 NASB95

But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. ‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. “For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. ‘You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’ “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”

PAUSE to acknowledge our elders with verse 14...

Acts 2:14–40 NASB95

But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. ‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. “For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. ‘You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’ “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Outline

I. This is the fulfillment of prophecy (vv. 15–21)

A. A defense (v. 15)

B. An explanation (vv. 16–21)

II. Jesus is the Messiah (vv. 22–32)

A. His works attest that He is the Messiah (v. 22)

B. His resurrection attests that He is the Messiah (vv. 23–32)

III. Jesus, the glorified Messiah, poured forth the Holy Spirit (vv. 33–36)

IV. Application (vv. 37–40)

Defense… vs 14-15 Not filled with wine, Rather the Holy Spirit!

Explanation… comes from minor prophet (OT prophecy is critical for the people of God to know!)

You and I are living in the last days… the “Day of the Lord” is coming

Judgment / the return of Christ...

Vs 17-18 Peter is declaring is what is happening in their presence NOW!

I absolutely love the ALL inclusiveness of 18… men, women, slaves

This is the birth of the church!!! Many wonderful signs are going to be present with its birth.

So too with the end of days… when Christ returns Vs 19-20

Even as Peter is declaring what is, he is very aware of the imminent return of Christ

As Peter preaches there is an urgency… fast forward 2000 years we should be all the more urgent in our sharing of the Gospel

VS 21… It was true in the Old Testament, it is true as Peter preaches here, as Paul declares in , and it will still be true in the final days… “Those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved!” it is always God who does the saving, we have the amazing privilege to declare this to a lost world!

Peter gives them “proofs” that He truly was their Promised Messiah they saw with their own eyes!

“You yourselves know”… such sad words that are still true for so many...

To Know of God and never know Him!

He is clearly seen in the things witch are made Romans states

The universe

The human cell / DNA

the defense of the scriptures holding up under the strongest scrutiny

Vs 23 Blows me away… God had this planned, He was a willing sacrifice!

Notice Peter does not remove the guilt due to God’s plan…

You Nailed...

Godless men… men who did not have the Law

You knew better than they did. God told you about His coming Messiah!

BUT GOD!!!… Vs 24 where man sins God intervenes! The Resurrection!!!

An End to the AGONY of death

It was IMPOSSIBLE for Him to be held by deaths power! Wow! What a God! What Savior!

Peter goes back to what King David said earlier of this in

Not abandoned to Hades: a place or abode of the dead, including both the righteous and the unrighteous (in most contexts ᾅδηςa is equivalent to the Hebrew term Sheol)—‘the world of the dead Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 5). New York: United Bible Societies.

Peter speaks confidently concerning Christ resurrection…

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 5). New York: United Bible Societies.

Because David prophesied of this and is still in his grave rotting… check it out for yourselves!

This he prophesied of the Messiah not himself

Because he along with many others there were witnesses… ask us, check the validity, interview us… we saw Him risen!

The signs, wonders, message, the plan of God, the death the Resurrection all lead to Peter’s final point…

Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father...

He pours forth the Holy Spirit on His followers

BOTH see and hear...

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives should be seen and heard! Does the way you lead life and the way you speak indicate His presence in your life?

What do you testify to the world around you with the way you live and speak?

Faith in Christ should produce a change in ones life!

We are able to “KNOW FOR CERTAIN” that this Jesus we see in scripture is divine He is God!

This TRUTH should spark something in our lives, it should move us to action...

We hear this truth… We understand this truth… We say we believe this truth...

NOW WHAT?

They were pierced to the heart… only God can do this, the Holy Spirit is at work here in peoples hearts.

Joel as he prophesied the words of the Lord says this in

Joel 2:12–13 NASB95

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.

“What should we DO?” our actions condemn us it is a work of the heart…

Repent: as Joel described is a work of the heart… to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness...

Israel is guilty… along with all mankind. The BAPTISM is was an outward expression of ones internal decision, ones personal working in the heart. Peter demonstrates here that this is for each Jew to do before God personally...

WHO? Vs 39 demonstrates the who of things beautifully “you, your children, and those far off” (EVERYONE)

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 509). New York: United Bible Societies.

This message is for today just as much as it was for then. Repent, “rend your heart before God” … If you have done this, then allow the Holy Spirit to influence you, give Him control and may others SEE and HEAR a difference in your life. This Jesus is God, He has done it all. Praise the Lord!

Salvation for All!

The Setting

The Fulfillment of Prophecy

Jesus Declared the Messiah!

Jesus Resurrected From the Dead!

Jesus is the Divine Messiah!

Peter’s Application