#3 | Take Time to Think
Read: Acts 2:1-47
Meditate on your own Acts 2:14-39:
- What is Peter arguing in his sermon? What are his main points?
- How does Peter use David’s words from the Psalms (vv.25-28 and vv.34-35) to confirm his points and further his argument?
- What verse/phrase stands out to you?
- What is its purpose in the sermon? Why does Peter say it when he does?
- What truth about God or mankind do you think you can draw from this?
- Where do you see other parts of the Bible saying the same thing?
- Why is this good news, both for you and for others?
- What does this reveal about your own heart? What do you need to repent of? What do you need to ask God for?
Consider
Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Savior and sovereign King, and he is alive. This was clear by the end of Peter’s sermon, and it cut to the heart the devout Jews who heard it. The Savior whom God had promised would come and deliver his people had finally arrived, and they murdered him.
Even more terrifying, he was alive and reigning in power, evidenced by the outpouring of the Spirit they were all witnessing. Now he was waiting for his enemies, which certainly included these people who had crucified him, to be crushed under his feet. Mourning their sin and likely frightened for their lives, the crowd asked Peter if there was any hope for them. In response, Peter pointed them to the last verse of his sermon text, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). Their only hope was to repent and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. Then, stunningly, they would not only be forgiven and completely cleansed of their sins, but they would also be his witnesses, clothed in power just like Peter and the rest of the company (Acts 1:8).
While people today did not have a hand in crucifying Jesus, every person is nevertheless an enemy of God because of their evil thoughts and actions (Col. 1:21). What’s more, Jesus of Nazareth is still the sovereign King who will one day will crush his enemies under his feet. Yet, he is also the promised Savior and only hope for escaping the just wrath of God.
The offer made to the crowd still stands today: if anyone repents and trusts in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, they will be saved from this corrupt generation. If you have already done this, then you are Jesus’ witness, filled with the Holy Spirit to “declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9).
Have you repented and trusted Jesus? If you have, are you living as his witness?
What would it look like for you declare to his praises this week?
Pray:
Use the acronym IOUS, turning the prayers of the Psalmist into your own.
Incline my heart to you and not to prideful gain or any false motive!
Psalm 119:36
Open my eyes to behold wonderous things out of your Word.
Psalm 119:18
Unite my heart to fear your name.
Psalm 86:11
Satisfy me with your steadfast love.
Psalm 90:14
