Notes on Acts 2, Part 2
The Proclamation of Peter
Reading: Acts 2:22-36
Key Focus: Peter’s Christ-centered sermon
Reflection:
Peter’s sermon is a powerful example of Christ-centered proclamation. He begins by recounting Jesus’ ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection, emphasizing that these events were part of God’s divine plan. Using Psalm 16 and Psalm 110, Peter explains that Jesus’ resurrection fulfills Scripture and confirms Him as both Lord and Messiah. His proclamation is bold, wise, contextualized in the world and events his hearers know about, grounded in Scripture, and centered on the person and work of Jesus.
This sermon exemplifies Spirit-filled leadership: it is clear, courageous, and focused. Peter’s boldness is particularly striking given his previous denial of Jesus. The transformation he experienced through the Holy Spirit reminds us that God uses imperfect leaders who are willing to surrender to His power. Tim Keller reflects on this truth, writing, “The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less. Peter’s sermon points entirely to Jesus, not himself, a model for all who proclaim the Word.”
Questions for Reflection:
How does Peter’s sermon inspire you in your preaching or teaching?
Are you proclaiming a Christ-centered gospel with clarity and boldness?
How can you rely more fully on the Spirit’s power in your ministry?
Prayer Focus:
Pray for the Spirit to empower your proclamation of the gospel. Ask God to give you clarity, boldness, and humility as you point people to Jesus through your words and actions.
The Word Pierces Hearts and Leads to Conversion
Reading: Acts 2:37-41
Key Focus: The transformative power of the gospel
Reflection:
Don’t miss the little phrase “with many other words he sought to persuade them…” As written in the text, Peter’s sermon is only a few minutes long. It had considerably more content than we read here - a summary of the whole. In the end, some “received his word” - so important! Not everyone who hears the word receives the word. The gift of faith is a mystery, the sovereign work of the Spirit in the soul in connection with the gospel.
When Peter concluded his sermon, the crowd was deeply convicted. They were “cut to the heart” and asked, “What shall we do?” This question reflects the power of the Word, empowered by the Spirit, to pierce hearts and prompt a response. Peter’s answer—repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit—demonstrates that salvation involves both a turning away from sin and a turning toward God.
The result was astonishing: 3,000 people were added to the Church that day (a reversing of the 3000 dead when God came down in a fire on Sinai when the Law was delivered). This mass conversion underscores the importance of Spirit-filled preaching and the urgency of calling people to respond. Dennis Johnson observes, “True preaching doesn’t just inform; it confronts, convicts, and invites. The Spirit uses the Word to transform hearts and bring people into the Kingdom.”
Questions for Reflection:
How do you prepare spiritually for your preaching or teaching to be effective in leading others to repentance?
What steps can your church take to nurture new believers in their faith?
Are there areas where you need to be more bold in calling for a response to the gospel?
Prayer Focus:
Pray for the Spirit to soften hearts in your congregation and community. Ask for courage to call people to repentance and for wisdom in guiding them toward a life of faith in Christ.
The Priorities of the New Apostolic Community
Reading: Acts 2:42-47
Key Focus: The characteristics of a Spirit-filled community
Reflection:
The Spirit-filled community described in Acts 2:42-47 provides a model for the Church today. These early believers devoted themselves to four key practices: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They lived with radical generosity, sharing their possessions so that no one was in need. Their worship was marked by joy and sincerity, and their community life was so compelling that it attracted others to the faith.
This passage reminds leaders that the Church is not merely an institution but a Spirit-empowered family united by love for God and one another. The priorities of teaching, fellowship, worship, and generosity should form the foundation of every church. As John Stott writes, “The Spirit-filled Church is a learning Church, a loving Church, a worshipping Church, and an evangelizing Church.”
Questions for Reflection:
Which of these priorities is most evident in your church, and which needs more attention?
How can your leadership foster unity and generosity within your congregation?
Are there practical ways your church can reflect the Spirit-filled community described in Acts 2?
Prayer Focus:
Pray for the Spirit to shape your church into a Christ-centered, Spirit-filled community. Ask for wisdom and unity as you lead others in embodying the priorities of the early Church.