Acts 2:22-42 "Jesus is Lord"
During an interview, Colin Farrell told a story about something that happened between his son and Tom Waits. According to Farrell, Waits handed his son a pen and said, “This is a magic pen. It has a thousand stories in it. You just have to learn how to get them out.”
He could have said the same thing about a paintbrush having a thousand paintings in it, or a guitar having a thousand songs—an oven can create a thousand cookies and those cookies can inspire a thousand trips to Planet Fitness.
Extraordinary things are usually done with ordinary things.
God also uses ordinary things to accomplish His work in the world. Ordinary things like words and water, bread and wine. But also ordinary people like you and me.
We started Acts chapter two last week. It was the Day of Pentecost, a big festival in Jerusalem, people had traveled from all over to be there. The 120 followers of Jesus had been told to wait until the Father gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Well, it happened with the sound of rushing wind, the sight of fire dancing on each of their heads—and they all suddenly started speaking in languages they didn’t know. It caused quite a commotion and gathered a massive crowd. Peter started preaching from the Book of Joel and explaining what was going on. We ended with this verse last week…
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Acts 2:21
Peter had started his sermon with an apocalyptic verse from Joel about the last days and the end of the world—Sun going dark, moon turning to blood, life as we know it coming to an end. The “last days” started when Jesus showed up the first time. We call the “last days” the New Testament—the time of the church of Christ. They will end when Jesus returns in power and glory at the end of time.
That was a scary thought. “Hey guys, the end of the world is counting down. Clock’s ticking.” But he had good news for them, “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This begged a very important question: Who is the Lord? What is His name? It’s a question we all better know the answer to—everything’s riding on it.
“The Lord” is God. All through the Old Testament Scriptures God is referred to as “The Lord.” His name is Yahweh—but they were very careful not to say His name flippantly. They pretty much never said it at all. Instead, they replaced it with the phrase, “The name of the Lord.” In the Hebrew vocabulary, “Lord” meant “Yahweh.”
The rest of Peter’s sermon is going to prove to them that Jesus is Yahweh. The earliest creed of the church was “Jesus is Lord.” This is the heart of the Christian faith. Jesus is God.
So, Peter continues his sermon…
“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— Acts 2:22
He appeals to them by their most honored title: “Men of Israel.” He’s going to lay something really heavy on them and he wants their full attention.
They knew who Jesus of Nazareth was, He was all over the news, everyone had an opinion about Him. Nothing’s really changed about that in 2,000 years.
Peter’s speaking to a multitude of people, mostly visitors to Jerusalem for the festival, they don’t know where this Peter guy is going with this. This is the first Christian sermon.
Peter says, “God already proved who Jesus is with all the miracles you’ve heard so much about—you already know what that means but I’m going to tell you anyway.”
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Acts 2:23
God sent Jesus but you didn’t believe, you didn’t listen, you rejected Him—you handed Him over to the Romans to be killed. That’s not what you want to hear. I’m sure some of them were like, “Not me. I wasn’t even there.” There’d be some squirming.
Notice the mystery. I want to point this out because not everything about theology and faith fits in a neat little box. This is what I’m talking about: It says the death of Jesus was God’s plan all along, but it also says the guilt and responsibility of His death is squarely on the ones who handed Him over to be crucified and got Him killed. It was God’s plan but the people were still responsible for doing it.
So, there’s an enormous crowd of people listening to Peter. Most of them are from out of town and didn’t have anything to do with the trial and execution of Jesus. Still, Peter says, “You did it.”
He’d say the same thing to us, “You killed God. You’re guilty of His murder.” Are you squirming?
We don’t usually think about it like that. We usually say something like, “Jesus died on a cross to save us.” And that’s true, He did, but what did He die to save us from?
From ourselves? From sin? From death? From hell? Sure, but those answers are only part of it.
We might not like it but what we’re actually saved from is God’s wrath.
Romans 5:9:
"Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."
John 3:36:
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
Ephesians 2:3-5:
"Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
1 Thessalonians 1:10:
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
Those are just a few of the verses that talk about the wrath of God.
The world wants to pretend like sin doesn’t exist but it does. It’s a very real problem. Because we all sin, and sin always leads to death. The death of someone stained with sin always leads to hell. Hell is described as a place of torment and agony, pain and sorrow, anger and misery—which are all consequences of eternal separation from God’s love and mercy.
Elon Musk was quoted last week as saying he didn’t mind the thought of going to hell because that’s where most people are going to end up anyway. Like, it can’t be that bad if so many are going to be there. I don’t think it works like that. Ever heard of Bangladesh? Manila? Delhi, India? Those are probably the three most miserable places to live on earth—and over 64 million people call them “home.” Somehow I don’t think the overpopulation of hell should be a comfort.
Churches don’t talk about hell much anymore, it’s not considered polite. But ignoring it won’t make it go away.
Hell is where people who reject Jesus and don’t call on the name of the Lord end up. Elon is right, everyone’s going there—everyone. As sure as the law of gravity. I didn’t bring this up to scare anyone. It’s just reality that if we die stained with sin, that’s where we go.
Unless… Unless we confess our sin and call on the name of the Lord to save us.
That’s why Jesus came to earth to save us from being judged according to our sin. To take our sin on Himself and die so we could die without it.
I’m trying to say this so you can hear me. I know we’ve all heard these ideas before but try to hear it fresh today: We are all sinners. Our sin is the reason Jesus had to die. So, we’re all in one of two groups: We either call on the name of the Lord, asking for God’s mercy. Or we reject the gift of salvation and are held responsible for killing Jesus with our sin—which will bring the full wrath of God down on us.
That’s the weight they were feeling while Peter preached his first sermon, “You killed Jesus, and then…”
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 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; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
Acts 2:24-28
You killed Jesus but Jesus is God and God is life itself. It was impossible for death to hold onto Him. Then Peter reads from Psalm 16 to show the death and resurrection of the Messiah was foretold in the Bible a thousand years beforehand. He shows that David was a prophet talking about the Christ and not himself, because when David died, his body went into the ground and decomposed—unlike the Holy One who didn’t stay dead or see corruption.
“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. 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, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. Acts 2:29-31
Peter’s like, “We could go over there to David’s tomb—what’s left of his body is still inside.” But Jesus, the great, great, great grand-Son of David, the promised Messiah, the Christ—I know you’ve heard what happened to Him—He died and came back from the dead. His body did not decay. Do you believe what the Scriptures say or not—Peter was talking to people who said they did. Their heads were spinning.
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 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. Acts 2:32-33
Peter is telling them that Jesus is the promised Messiah. That they rejected and killed Him but God raised Him back up. Over five hundred eye-witnesses saw Him alive again. And now, this miracle of people speaking in all these languages—this is God pouring out the Holy Spirit, just like He said He would. Peter is blowing their minds.
They knew all about King David. They knew the Bible. They just didn’t understand that it was all pointing to Jesus and being fulfilled today. Peter keeps going…
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts 2:34-36
David didn’t fly up to heaven to sit at the right hand of God—who did you think this verse was talking about? It’s talking about the Messiah. Jesus is the one who ascended to heaven, equal with God the Father. Jesus had used this verse with the Pharisees to show that He was the Messiah—Why else would David call his great grandson “Lord?” God will be putting the enemies of the Messiah under His feet—you don’t want to be an enemy of Christ. Peter lays it down, wants to make it perfectly clear to them, “This Jesus, the one you crucified, is the Messiah God promised David—He is also God Himself.” Lord and Christ.
It’s one thing to find out you’re responsible for killing someone—you might feel guilty, you might be afraid of whatever the punishment would be. It’s kind of a whole other level if the guy you killed came back from the dead, though—He might be coming to get you! On top of all that, the one you’re responsible for murdering is God.
How do you think that would make you feel?
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37
They were like, “Okay, we hear you. We rejected the Messiah and killed God. He didn’t stay dead, though and now we’re in big trouble. What can we do?”
And this is the answer—for them, and for us…
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Acts 2:38-39
They probably asked him to repeat that, “Did we hear you right? That doesn’t sound so bad. It actually sounds pretty good.”
It’s the best news there is. For them, for you, for me. Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Repent means to turn away from your sin and unbelief and turn toward Jesus. Away from the bad and toward the good. Turn around. 180 degrees. This is a confession, sorrow for sin, and faith in Christ.
To be baptized means to be washed with water in Jesus’ name. What’s the baptism for? It’s for the forgiveness of sins. God washes the stain and stench of sin off His people in baptism, using ordinary water and the words of the promise of grace—the Gospel.
Baptism is the entrance to the church, the people of God. This is God making His people holy so His Spirit can dwell in them—He’s the one who does it. Repent, be baptized, and you will receive the Holy Spirit.
Who does this apply to? Who can be saved?
You. Your children. All who are far off. Everyone the Lord calls to Himself.
And how does He call people to Himself? Like this. Preaching. Sharing the Gospel. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ. The words are powered by the Holy Spirit to bring faith alive to those who will listen.
Hey you! All of you—your sin killed Jesus. Repent. Be baptized in the name of Jesus and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Peter had no idea how far off the people who were far off would be—he was also talking about you and me.
This was the first sermon in the church. It was apparently a long one…
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 2:40-41
He said a bunch of other stuff, Luke just gave us a little taste. “Save yourself from this crooked generation.” He’d say the same thing to us.
And it was a pretty good start. Not everyone in the crowd joined the church that day but 3,000 of them did. 3,000 men, women, and children were baptized on the spot—their sins were forgiven and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
How did they manage to baptize 3,000 people?
Some people think baptism means to fully immerse in water—like dunk them.
I have no problem with baptism by immersion but there’s no evidence that the early church baptized that way. All of the baptismal fonts that have been found from that time period were too small. The way they baptized was by pouring water on the head. The pastor would baptize by pouring water using their hands or some kind of a cup or something.
Also, the promise was for “you and your children.” Baptism is the new entrance into the people of God, the church. It replaced circumcision which was performed on male children when they were eight days old. It replaced other conversion baths where people would wash themselves. Baptism is a bath performed by a minister of the Gospel—it’s done to you. You are to “be baptized.” You don’t baptize yourself. And it’s God who is actually doing the baptism—He’s the one making the miracle happen. Forgiving sin and filling with the Holy Spirit. All of this in the name of Jesus—connecting us to His life, death, and resurrection.
And if it’s not talking about water baptism—like if Peter was just talking about a spiritual baptism in the Holy Spirit or something—then the church wouldn’t have continued baptizing in water after this. But they did.
So, what did those 3,000 new Christians do after they were baptized? Once they were members of the church?
A bunch of them stayed in Jerusalem but many of them went back home to the various places they came from—taking the message of the Gospel with them. When the apostles went to plant churches, in many places there was already one when they got there.
But what did those Christians do? How did it change their day to day life?
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42
They gathered as the church. They hung out together, ate together, devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles—which is the teaching they got from Jesus. They came together for worship. “The breaking of bread” means they ate together but it also means they celebrated the Lord’s Supper—Communion. They did the same kind of things we’re doing here this morning.
That wraps up the Day of Pentecost—the birthday of the church. I’d say it’s off to a pretty good start. The first Christian worship service, the first sermon, the first Christian baptisms. Three thousand souls is a good day's work.
This is still the work of the church. And it happens through ordinary means.
God uses ordinary things like water, words, bread and wine to do His miraculous work of forgiving sin, filling us with the Holy Spirit, and applying the promise of eternal life and salvation from His wrath and judgment.
He uses ordinary people like Peter, a fisherman, a forgiven sinner—to speak up and tell people how to be saved from death and hell. A pretty important job.
Everyone has still heard of Jesus, they still have all kinds of opinions about Him.
He uses ordinary people like you and me to continue calling people to Jesus. He’s going to send people your way and He’s trusting that you’ll take care of them—that you’ll tell them what they need to know to be saved. You’re like that pen—you have a thousand stories in you, and they all point to Jesus. But God is the one who makes it happen. He’s the author. Let His Spirit guide you. You’re the pen.
Did any of this cut you to heart? Did any of this bug you? Is the Holy Spirit calling you to repentance? If so, that would be a good thing. God’s kindness leads us to repentance—He always leads us to mercy and grace.
If you haven’t been baptized or if your children haven’t been baptized, please come see me and let’s get that taken care of. Be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the Holy Spirit. It’s a sacrament, a means of grace, it’s how God applies His grace to His people. Baptism is a one time act that never needs to be repeated, like adoption, because God is one doing the baptizing.
We will also be celebrating the Lord’s Supper this morning, also a sacrament. It too is for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of our faith. In this meal, we remember what Jesus did for us and God remembers His promise. All who believe and are baptized, everyone who calls NewChurch home, are welcome to share this holy meal with us.
Let’s confess our sins to Almighty God…