That Same Jesus
After explaining the wonder of Pentecost through the Word of God, Peter turns the attention of the crowd to the true message: Jesus Christ. The signs of Pentecost were never the focus—they pointed to the risen and exalted Savior. Peter declares that Jesus was approved by God through mighty works, crucified by sinful men according to God's determined plan, raised from the dead in victory, and exalted to the Father's right hand. From David's writings to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, every part of Peter's sermon points to one truth: Jesus Christ is Lord.
Key Points:
The wonder was never the message. It was God’s sign pointing them to Christ.
They did not reject Jesus because they lacked evidence. They rejected Jesus because their hearts refused what God had made clear.
Death could hold every other man, but death could not hold God’s Son.
David knew by the Spirit of God that the resurrection of Christ would turn the hope of the righteous dead into deliverance.
Peter is pressing them to see that David’s own words pointed beyond David to someone greater.
David saw that Christ would come from his seed, rise from the dead, and one day sit upon David’s throne.
Pentecost was not the Spirit starting a separate story. It was the exalted Christ continuing His own story through the witness of Spirit-filled men.
The Father promised the Holy Ghost, the Son sent the Holy Ghost, and the Spirit empowered the apostles to witness of Christ.
The same Jesus they knew, rejected, and crucified; God raised from the dead and exalted at His right hand.
The Spirit-filled witness does not make much of himself. He makes much of Jesus Christ.
Peter's first sermon reminds us that every work of God ultimately points to Christ. The miracles, the resurrection, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the coming of the Holy Ghost all testify that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. As believers today, we have the completed Word of God and the privilege of proclaiming the same unchanging message: the risen, exalted Savior who alone is worthy of our faith and worship.
Key Scriptures: Acts 2:22–36, Psalm 16:8–11, Psalm 110:1, Ephesians 4:8–10
Weekly Handout: https://bit.ly/4ePb2Uh