In the second chapter of Acts, we have the first recorded sermon following the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The occasion was the day of Pentecost, which marked the beginning of the Feast of Weeks in the Jewish calendar. It began fifty days after Passover and was one of three feasts that required every male in Israel to appear before the Lord at the sanctuary (Exodus 34:22-23). This explains the great number of visitors in Jerusalem at this time.
Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples “I send the promise of the Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). It was on Pentecost that this promise was fulfilled. Luke records “suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house where they [the disciples] were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of a fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).
It was this phenomenon of the disciples speaking in the foreign languages of the multitude of visitors that attracted attention and drew the crowd. Those observing this event “were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” (Acts 2:7-8). The Apostle Peter then took advantage of the occasion to deliver his message to this crowd.
Peter addressed two key points. First, he indicated “this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh…and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:16, 21). These “last days” created opportunity to be delivered from their sins.
Second, this opportunity for salvation was found in Jesus Christ, a man approved by God though rejected by the people. Peter charged them “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you…him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death.” (Acts 2:22-24).
Peter testified that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God and then concluded his message with this warning: “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). He went on to say, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:40-41). The message has not changed in two thousand years – Christ is the Savior. The invitation to repent and believe the gospel still remains true for “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
From the Chaplain 