Paul Name
Peter passionately proclaims the Gospel of Jesus. He doesn’t issue a mildly interesting memo, a kind of curious comment or a slightly serious soundbyte. He urgently communicates a truly awesome message – the best news ever told in the entire history of the cosmos! What does he focus on?
To begin with, he chooses to tell them about Jesus.
How often do our attempts to communicate the gospel end up stuck in dead-end? We get trapped in a workplace conversation about religion, spirituality, faith or church; about morality, ethics, the Bible or creation. It might be interesting, but ultimately it is futile, diverting us away from the subject that really matters – Jesus!
The vast majority of Peter’s message focuses on Jesus (and the rest is about the Holy Spirit). How much better it is to follow his example and turn their eyes upon Jesus, let Jesus be the centre, talk about Jesus, all for Jeus …in the hope that one day we will hear them say “I have decided to follow Jesus!”
Resurrection is a recurring theme in the book of Acts. We hear it in Peter’s words: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” (v32). …and not only there, but also in verse 23-24, and 27-28, and again in v31.
I checked the statistics and discovered that the human death rate is 100%. 10 out of 10 people die. Sometimes it’s big news for the media outlets, but every minute of every day death is happening. If 80 to 90 years on earth is all we can hope for, and then that’s the end, well whoopee [sarcasm alert!]. Enjoy it, make the most of it, but at the end of the day it’s just meaningless & hopeless.
The Bible tells a different story. There is meaning. There is hope…
He was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it (Acts 2:31-32)
Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place, so that we can be with him. He promised a dying man that today he would be with him in paradise. The God who raised Jesus from dead can give life to our mortal bodies. What is perishable will be clothed with the imperishable, the mortal will be clothed with immortality, death will be swallowed up in victory.
With Jesus, dead is not dead! And if that’s not a truly awesome message then I don’ tknow what is!
“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (v36) …and calling Jesus ‘Lord’ is not simply a polite title, it’s a political declaration!
In a culture an society that demanded allegiance to the Emperor (Caesar/Kaiser), where good citizens bowed to peer pressure and proclaimed “Caesar is Lord” the church responded “No! Jesus is Lord!” They declared that Jesus alone is sovereign and supreme. He is exalted to the right hand of God the Father and his enemies are subjugated as mere footstools beneath his feet.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
(Matthew 28:18-20)
The truly awesome message is that we have an opportunity now, today, to pledge allegiance to the ruler. We can choose Jesus to be Lord rather than remain enemies.
St Paul said that “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. …for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” (Romans 10:9,13) Peter quotes that same scripture: “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (v21)
Peter’s opportunity to speak was a direct result of what the Holy Spirit was doing: the sound of a violent wind; tongues of fire; speaking in other tongues. The gathered crowd saw and heard something remarkable, which provoked a reaction among them – either amazement, or allegations of intoxication!
God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
(Acts 2:17)
Peter declares to them: You can be part of this! That’s what God has promised from ancient times (v17-18). This is something that Jesus has done, a gift sent from the throne of his Father (v33). This is what we are encouraging you to be part of, here and now (v38).
You can know the presence and power of God at work in your life. You can be part of this amazing, supernatural Kingdom of God. The truly awesome message is that the Holy Spirit of Jesus can be active in your life!
Peter is emphatic. The promises that he speaks about are freely available for everyone who believes. It’s for you.
This wonderful promise of resurrection and life that extends beyond grave… it’s for you. This wonderful freedom to choose Jesus Christ as Lord of your life… it’s for you. This wonderful gift of God’s Holy Spirit supernaturally at work in your life… it’s for you. All of it is for you, personally. The question is: do you want it?
And it’s not only for you – it’s for your kids too. For sons and daughters, for young as well as old.
“The promise is for you and your children” (Acts 2:39)
How often do parents hope that their children will have a life that is as good as – or better – than our own? We usually do want the best for them. The truly awesome message is that this hope of eternity, this amazing life with Jesus Christ as Lord and the Holy Spirit present and working in power …all these are not just for us, but for our children too.
When you see children having visions, receiving prophetic words, involved in physical healing, or telling others about Jesus, it is wonderful and amazing!
And if that’s not a truly awesome message, then I don’t know what is!
