The Apostolic Gospel

Introduction

In Acts 2:22–36 we find the first apostolic sermon from the mouth of the apostle Peter. Recall that it was Peter who was the spokesman for the apostles back in Matthew 16 to whom it was revealed by God that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! This same Peter is prominent here in the book of Acts as alluded to by Christ in our last message as a rock in the wordplay used by Jesus in our last message. Emboldened, endowed with power from on high by the filling of the Spirit, Peter addresses a huge audience of people who were drawn to him and those others filled by the Spirit in an upper room. What the apostle Peter preaches is foundational to our understanding of the New Testament church’s proclamation ever since!

I. The Divine attestation of Jesus of Nazareth (v. 22)

Acts 2:22 ESV

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—

Sample list of mighty works, wonders, and signs of Jesus in the gospel of Mark:

Jesus Heal Demoniac at Capernaum Mk 1:23–28

Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law Mk 1:29–31

Jesus Heals Many Mk 1:32–34

Jesus Casts Out Demons Mk 1:39

Jesus Cleanses a Leper Mk 1:40–45

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man Mk 2:1–12

Jesus Heals a Man’s Withered Hand Mk 3:1–5

Jesus Heals the Sick Mk 3:9–10

Jesus Silences Demons Mk 3:11–12

Jesus Calms a Storm Mk 4:35–41

Jesus Casts Out a Demon at Gerasenes Mk 5:2–13

Jesus Heals a Bleeding Woman Mk 5:25–34

Jesus Raises the Daughter of a Synagogue Ruler Mk 5:35–43

Jesus Heals a Few Sick People Mk 6:5

Jesus Feeds 5,000 People Mk 6:35–44

Jesus Walks on Water Mk 6:47–52

Jesus Heals the Sick at Gennesaret Mk 6:53–56

Jesus Heals the Syrophoenician’s Daughter Mk 7:24–30

Jesus Heals a Deaf Man in the Decapolis Mk 7:32–35

Jesus Feeds 4,000 People Mk 8:1–9

Jesus Heals a Blind Man in Bethsaida Mk 8:22–26

Jesus Is Transfigured Mk 9:2–8

Jesus Heals an Epileptic Boy Mk 9:14–29

Jesus Heals Bartimaeus at Jericho Mk 10:46–52

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree Mk 11:12–14, 20–25

Jesus Appears to Two on the Road Mk 16:12–13

Jesus Appears to the Apostles Mk 16:14

II. The Planned Suffering and Death of Jesus (v. 23)

Acts 2:23 ESV

23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

III. The Resurrection of Jesus (vs. 24-32)

Acts 2:24 ESV

24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

A. God raised Jesus - Acts 2:32; 3:15; 4:10; 10:40; 13:30, 33, 34, 37; 17:31; Rom. 4:24; 6:4; 8:11; 10:9; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:15; 2 Cor. 4:14; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:20; Col. 2:12; 1 Thess. 1:10; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 1:21; [Eph. 2:5]

B. David said… (vs. 25-28)

Acts 2:25–28 ESV

25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

Psalm 16:8–11 ESV

8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

C. Application of David’s quotation (vs. 29-31)

Acts 2:29–31 ESV

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

D. We are all witnesses! (v. 32)

Acts 2:32 ESV

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

Acts 1:21–22 ESV

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”

IV. The Exaltation of Jesus (vs. 33-36)

A. Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God. (v. 33a)

Acts 2:33 ESV

33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

B. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. (v. 33b)

Acts 2:33 ESV

33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

John 1:33 ESV

33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

C. Jesus ascended into the heavens after His resurrection (vs. 34-35)

Acts 2:34–35 ESV

34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’

Psalm 110:1 ESV

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

D. Jesus is certainly both Lord and Christ! (v. 36)

A. Jesus is Lord!

B. Jesus is Christ!