The Gospel Goes Public
[ READ ] Acts 2:22-41
22 “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— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 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;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “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. 30 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, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 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. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 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?” 38 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. 39 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.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “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. 30 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, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 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. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 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?” 38 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. 39 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.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
As I write this devotional, it is the Thursday after Pentecost Sunday. As I read chapter 2 of Acts as a whole, I can only imagine what this was like. Was it a simple, yet jaw-dropping event? Did it sweep everyone off of their spiritual (and maybe even physical) feet that had them undone for hours? I suppose we won’t know until we are before the Lord in one day.
But as tongues of fire are falling down, and the Spirit is sweeping through His people, Peter speaks to this crowd of 120 to remind them of the everlasting promises and goodness of God. He reminds them of King David, who prophesied in Psalm 16:10 concerning Christ, that God would “...not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” What they have witnessed and will suffer and die for, the resurrection and ascension of our Lord, was always to come. This was done for us that we may have eternal life, and proves yet again that God has never failed on a promise given to His children. If He promised that Jesus would never touch the pits of Hell despite facing horrific death, why would He not keep that promise He’s given to us, if only we just have faith (John 3:16), repent (John 8:11), and obey (John 3:36) Jesus’ commands?
God does not fail. He does not lie (Titus 1:2). Thank God for that. No, literally, just take a moment and thank Him for that. It can be easy to read His promises and think, “But not for me… I’m too far gone… I knew better than to… I shouldn’t have…”
His promises are for everyone who believes, confesses, repents, and obeys; and His blood atoned for all we have done and all we will still do to disobey. So when you disobey, when you sin, when you are impatient… When you’re angry, when you’re exhausted, when you’re hurt and just don’t want to do it anymore…
Repent, verb:
to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
to feel sorrow, regret or contrition for
to change one's mind
Feel it, grieve it, tell God about it, and turn.
In Acts 2:38-40, when those who are struck in their hearts by what Peter reminds them of ask him “okay, so now what, Peter?”, he tells 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.…Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
You are not too far gone. You are not excluded from this gift. Repent, be baptized if you haven’t. Reach out to someone, if you’re ready to commit to Jesus today, don’t wait, He is waiting for you to choose Him. This church has pastors, staff, elders, and hundreds more who would love to celebrate and walk with you in your faith if you’re ready to take that step. And if you already have, please remember that there is nothing you can do to undo His love and transformation of your soul. You. Are. Forgiven.
As Peter says in verse 39, 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.
If no one has said it to you today, yesterday, or in a very long time, I love you. But Jesus loves you more.
- Danielle Parker
But as tongues of fire are falling down, and the Spirit is sweeping through His people, Peter speaks to this crowd of 120 to remind them of the everlasting promises and goodness of God. He reminds them of King David, who prophesied in Psalm 16:10 concerning Christ, that God would “...not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” What they have witnessed and will suffer and die for, the resurrection and ascension of our Lord, was always to come. This was done for us that we may have eternal life, and proves yet again that God has never failed on a promise given to His children. If He promised that Jesus would never touch the pits of Hell despite facing horrific death, why would He not keep that promise He’s given to us, if only we just have faith (John 3:16), repent (John 8:11), and obey (John 3:36) Jesus’ commands?
God does not fail. He does not lie (Titus 1:2). Thank God for that. No, literally, just take a moment and thank Him for that. It can be easy to read His promises and think, “But not for me… I’m too far gone… I knew better than to… I shouldn’t have…”
His promises are for everyone who believes, confesses, repents, and obeys; and His blood atoned for all we have done and all we will still do to disobey. So when you disobey, when you sin, when you are impatient… When you’re angry, when you’re exhausted, when you’re hurt and just don’t want to do it anymore…
Repent, verb:
to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
to feel sorrow, regret or contrition for
to change one's mind
Feel it, grieve it, tell God about it, and turn.
In Acts 2:38-40, when those who are struck in their hearts by what Peter reminds them of ask him “okay, so now what, Peter?”, he tells 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.…Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
You are not too far gone. You are not excluded from this gift. Repent, be baptized if you haven’t. Reach out to someone, if you’re ready to commit to Jesus today, don’t wait, He is waiting for you to choose Him. This church has pastors, staff, elders, and hundreds more who would love to celebrate and walk with you in your faith if you’re ready to take that step. And if you already have, please remember that there is nothing you can do to undo His love and transformation of your soul. You. Are. Forgiven.
As Peter says in verse 39, 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.
If no one has said it to you today, yesterday, or in a very long time, I love you. But Jesus loves you more.
- Danielle Parker
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Take a minute to go and read Psalm 16, the Psalm Peter is referencing in verses 22-28. It’s easy to read this Psalm from David’s perspective about himself. Can you identify how and where in this Psalm Jesus’ life and death is prophesied?
+ Verse 37 says that those who listened to Peter were “cut to the heart”, why do you think that is?
+ Take a minute to go and read Psalm 16, the Psalm Peter is referencing in verses 22-28. It’s easy to read this Psalm from David’s perspective about himself. Can you identify how and where in this Psalm Jesus’ life and death is prophesied?
+ Verse 37 says that those who listened to Peter were “cut to the heart”, why do you think that is?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have you been baptized? If yes, take some time to remember what that means. Reflect and thank God for the gift and transformation of baptism. If no, ask God if it might be time, and pray about who to reach out to to take this amazing next step.
+ Do you believe that the promise of forgiveness and eternal life is for you? Remember that He is fighting for you, with you, and in you. The battle has been won, you have been purchased by His perfectly shed blood.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Have you been baptized? If yes, take some time to remember what that means. Reflect and thank God for the gift and transformation of baptism. If no, ask God if it might be time, and pray about who to reach out to to take this amazing next step.
+ Do you believe that the promise of forgiveness and eternal life is for you? Remember that He is fighting for you, with you, and in you. The battle has been won, you have been purchased by His perfectly shed blood.
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy. Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You that there is nothing I can do to earn Your love because You will never love me more than You do in this moment. You fill me with awe and wonder, and I cannot fathom what it truly means to love as You’ve loved me. I confess my sin and shame to You today, and ask you to forgive me and make me new. Baptize me afresh with Your Holy Spirit. I pray that You would help me to be bold and loving to others today. Thank You Father. It’s in Your mighty name I pray, amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy. Thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You that there is nothing I can do to earn Your love because You will never love me more than You do in this moment. You fill me with awe and wonder, and I cannot fathom what it truly means to love as You’ve loved me. I confess my sin and shame to You today, and ask you to forgive me and make me new. Baptize me afresh with Your Holy Spirit. I pray that You would help me to be bold and loving to others today. Thank You Father. It’s in Your mighty name I pray, amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Is there someone the Spirit brings to mind for you today that might need a brother or sister in Christ to encourage them towards repentance and baptism?
+ Is there someone I can reach out to and ask for help in my walk, whether with a sin habit, next steps, baptism, prayer, forgiveness?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Is there someone the Spirit brings to mind for you today that might need a brother or sister in Christ to encourage them towards repentance and baptism?
+ Is there someone I can reach out to and ask for help in my walk, whether with a sin habit, next steps, baptism, prayer, forgiveness?
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