10-13-2019 - The Message of Repentance

Acts 2:15–21 NLT

15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy. 19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. 21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Three Things:

It was a feast day / Sabbath - Jewish people generally did not eat or drink anything before the 3rd hour (9am) - It is both a statement that “we are good Jewish observers” and that the observation of the nay-sayers was incorrect

Peter makes it clear that part of what Joel prophesied (thus vv. 17-18) is being witnessed (This is really about the Holy Spirit more than the people)

Salvation - those present, worshippers, Jewish men and women, priests, Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, etc - all needed TRUE DELIVERANCE

Acts 2:22–36 NLT

22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. 27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’ 29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. 31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave. 32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” ’ 36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

The Resurrection Proofs:

vv. 22-24: The Miracles, Wonders and Signs Jesus Performed gave evidence of Both Whom He was and that Physical Death was not the end of His story - Note, both you (Jews) and the Lawless (Gentiles) are responsible for the death of Jesus… BUT - The same God who was Testifying through the Miracles Signs and Wonders “Raised Him Back to Life”

vv. 25-31: Prophecy Fulfilled (Psalm 16:8-11) - David’s Tomb is still with us, so David was not bearing witness of himself but his greater Son - offspring - thus JESUS; Note: The “Oath” mentioned in Psalm 132:11 and made in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 - 12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. 13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do. 15 But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight. 16 Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.’ ”

v. 32: The Witnesses (the gathered apostles and disciples) all the gospels and Acts bears out the testimony of those who SAW the resurrected Jesus!!!

v. 33: The Holy Spirit - This new manifestation, that is the indwelling (permanently) of the Holy Spirit was proof that God’s ancient plan of Salvation was moving forward...

vv.34-35: Messianic Promise - Jesus is the literal fulfilment of Psalm 110:1 and IS the Messiah

Note: Peter was not Preaching the Gospel quite as we do among the Gentile nations today:

He was Making Accusation of a Crime by the Nation (see v. 23)

He was Warning that they had REJECTED and CRUCIFIED their promised Messiah (v. 36)

He was inviting them to REPENT and RECEIVE (The message of Repentance began with John the Baptist, who died, continued with Jesus, whom they had rejected and killed in collusion with the Gentiles, and was now culminating in the last great call to repentance for those who rejected Jesus…)