“THE BOLD PREACHING OF PETER ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST” ACTS 2:14-35

Peter, really a coward before the cross because he denied his Lord, is now standing boldly and answers the critics’ attack of mockery in saying that the believers at Pentecost were drunk on new wine.   Acts 2:14-15 states, “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.”

Notice quickly that Peter is the main speaker on the day of Pentecost, but he is supported by the other eleven apostles.  Dr. Luke mentions the fact that there were eleven apostles who stood with Peter; thus, Dr. Luke considers that fact that Matthias was the replacement for the vacant apostolic position of Judas Iscariot, not the apostle Paul (Acts 6:2; Matthew 19:28).  As a further answer for these unbelieving critics at Pentecost, he even quotes from their scripture that says, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel” (v. 16).  Peter is not stating that Joel’s prophecy was being fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. However, based on Joel’s prophecy that will be fulfilled during the Millennium Kingdom, these critics should not think that the phenomenal operation of the Spirit was something strange.  Peter goes on to quote to these critics in verses 17-21 that there was a great outpouring of God’s Spirit and that fact should not be strange to them based on Joel’s prophecy.

According to verses 22-35, Peter continues his preaching to this audience explaining that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Christ who they crucified (vv. 22-24). Peter related to these Jewish leaders that they were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus.  These leaders were to be blamed for delivering Jesus over to the Roman government to be crucified on a cross of shame.   Although the religious leaders plotted the death of Christ, it was a part of God’s program that He would be slain and rise again for verses 23-24 say, “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: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.”

Peter even related that Christ would be raised from the dead, quoting from Psalm 16:8-11 to prove it (vv. 25-31).  Again, Psalm 16 is a prediction of the resurrection of Christ, for David, the one speaking in that psalm was still in the grave.

In verses 32-35, Peter supports his argument for Christ’s resurrection by citing proofs of it and he also related that Jesus is exalted, for He is seated at the right hand of God.  In conclusion, Peter boldly preached the resurrection of Christ with power and conviction; and we too must declare that same message with power, conviction and love as we serve this present age.

May God Bless!