Last week, the first Scripture reading from the Lectionary for the Sunday after Easter was the Apostle Peter’s first sermon message to the crowds which gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. He brought a message to the folks, giving Scripture backing of how Jesus, who they had handed over to be executed, had risen from the dead, and was truly the Messiah. How was that message received by the crowd? Were they receptive? Were they angry with Peter for making them feel accountable for their sins? Or were they merely indifferent, seeking to just go about their day? Let’s look into the response to Peter’s message, and the beginnings of the Christian Church as the second chapter to Acts closes out.
As noted last week, Peter had never given a sermon before. By trade, he was a fisherman, and probably did not have more than just the basic education a working-class boy in Israel would have had. Peter had not been taught by the great rabbis in Jerusalem, been to seminary, or had multiple university degrees. Yet here he was that day of Pentecost, following the descent of the Holy Spirit upon him and his fellow believers, giving a sermon to the multitudes about how they had crucified Jesus, their Messiah (vs. 36). These were many of the same people, who only a few weeks earlier had stood before Pontius Pilate when he brought the scourged and beaten Jesus out, and had screamed for Pilate to “Crucify Him!”. Would they turn on him in a similar way? Would they seek out the Pharisees and other religious leaders to have Peter arrested for speaking such words?
As we continue reading, many of the people in the crowds were “cut to the heart” (vs. 37). The Holy Spirit used the words, rather strong words, that Peter preached to bring the people under conviction for what they had done. Many had been part of the mob screaming for Jesus to die. Some might have even seen Him on the cross. Over the past few weeks, many may have heard the rumors that Jesus had risen from the dead. Now Peter had preached a message about just that, how God raised Him from the dead, how this fulfilled prophecy from the Scriptures, that those prophecies did not refer to David, but to Jesus. They had crucified their Messiah! What were they to do now? Had they committed an unforgivable sin? Were they now forever doomed?
When Peter heard their response, wanting to know what they could do after having committed such a sin as crucifying their Messiah, he told them to repent, to be saved (vs. 38-40). To repent is to completely forsake and turn away from sin. If they did that, if they believed that Jesus truly was the Messiah and had died for their sins, they could be saved.
Peter urged those who did accept Jesus as their Savior to be baptized (vs. 38). The words in this verse, “for the remission of sins” should really be translated and read because of the remission of sins. Baptism does not save anyone. It is an act of obedience. By being baptized we publicly are identifying as a Christian. A believer is baptized with water because one’s sins have already been forgiven when one accepts Jesus as Savior. Baptism doesn’t bring forgiveness. Repentance brings forgiveness and salvation, which then makes the believer ready to publicly be baptized, publicly identifying with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some people might wonder, and even believe, that they have sinned too much or too deeply to ever be forgiven. Years ago a Christian friend once told me that he had witnessed several times to a prominent baseball sportscaster, who said that he would love to come to Christ, but believed he had sinned way too much for Jesus to ever accept him. That sportscaster later died, probably unsaved because he falsely believed he had sinned too much to be saved. Yet here we read that even those who had played a role in the actual crucifixion of Jesus could be saved. Since He forgave and saved them, there is no sin, other than unbelief, that God won’t forgive.
That day about 3,000 people were saved! (vs. 41). God used the words of Peter, a humble fisherman, to lead these people to salvation in the Lord Jesus. It didn’t take a well-crafted, seminary taught five-point sermon. It took just someone who used his Bible and depended upon the Holy Spirit to work through him. It took someone who spoke the truth, rather than tickling the ears of the crowd, and 3,000 people were saved! And in the days that followed, more and more were saved, as well (vs. 47). What can God do through us if we are willing to be used by Him, as Peter was?
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