In this installment, we continue studying Acts chapter two. At the beginning of this chapter, we see 120 of Jesus’ disciples gathered to celebrate Pentecost and waiting for the promise of receiving the Holy Spirit. This holy day is discussed thoroughly in Guidance for the End Times Part 6. Be sure to read that study to understand the significance of this magnificent day.  

In verses 14-36, Peter gives one of the most wonderful sermons ever recorded for us to read. This sermon’s true message is seldomly discussed because satan has been allowed to blind the minds of mankind. Let’s discuss this message. 

Prophecy Will Be Fulfilled 

Peter stood up along with the eleven other disciples and said, “Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words.” (Acts 2:14) He declared that the 120 disciples were not drunk, but they were filled with the Holy Spirit as prophesied by the prophet Joel. He wanted the crowd to give heed to the words of the 120. Why? Because they were speaking in foreign languages the wonderful works of God (verse 11). The disciples were preaching the gospel message in the native languages of the Jews who came to Jerusalem for Pentecost. Some of the Jews rejected this message by claiming the disciples were drunk. Peter stood up to address this allegation and to encourage the crowd to accept this gospel message inspired by the Holy Spirit.  

“…This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” (verse 16) Peter explained that the disciples prophesying is a fulfillment of prophecy. These disciples were sharing the gospel which is a prophecy. The good news is the prophecy of the coming kingdom of God. The first five installments of this series discuss this topic thoroughly. (Feel free to reread them). Peter was addressing a crowd of people who were in Jerusalem to serve God according to His commands. This crowd would have been devout men and women who were familiar with prophecy. He quoted this prophecy to explain what their eyes were seeing.  

There are a few lessons we should learn from this: 

1. We should study and become intimate with end times prophecies. 

2. We should be knowledgeable enough about prophecy to see when it is being fulfilled. (We should not speculate about prophecy) 

3. We should be willing to explain the fulfillment of prophecies to others.  

As a side issue, I must mention there are far too many speculators in the realm of prophecy. We must be careful not to become a person who is promoting false interpretations of prophecy. It is honorable to contemplate on the prophecies of God, but it is dishonorable to share thoughts that are unconfirmed in the Bible. According to Jesus Christ, many will be deceived by false prophets in the end times. We should be careful not to contribute to the confusion to come. 

The words that Peter spoke after quoting the prophet Joel were intended to explain the gospel message more thoroughly. Let’s pick up our reading at verse 22.  

The Resurrected King 

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know” 

Did you realize that these men were around Jesus before His crucifixion? Some of these men were present when Jesus was performing miracles. Verse 23 indicates that some of these men were a party to Jesus’ crucifixion; they were in support of murdering Jesus Christ. The phrase “being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” means it was prophesied that Jesus would be sacrificed. It means that it was God’s plan to allow this to happen even though the people performed this act by the wickedness in their hearts. Peter is reminding them that they saw the good Jesus had done, but they still slew Him anyway. This same Jesus was raised from the dead (verse 24). 

Do you understand how controversial the idea of a resurrection was at that time? The religious group known as the Sadducees taught that there was no resurrection. Read Matt. 22:23-32 and Acts 23:6-8. This issue of a man being resurrected was a point of contention before and after Jesus’ time on earth.   

Peter gives proof of the resurrection by quoting a prophecy written by King David (see verses 25-28). Peter is showing the crowd the truth by confirming prophecy. He goes on to explain how the life of Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of that prophecy in verses 29-36.  

Notice that verse 29 explains how King David is dead, buried, and they know where his grave is. The crowd could visit his grave and see his bones with their own eyes. They could confirm that David was still in his grave. In verse 34, Peter went on to explain that David was not in heaven (a point that most professing Christians ignore). Jesus of Nazareth was the only one raised from the dead and sitting in heaven at the right hand of God (not David) and Jesus’ disciples were witnesses of His resurrection (verses 32-33). Also notice that Peter explained how it is the Father who has shed forth what the crowd was seeing and hearing through the power of the Holy Spirit. David’s prophecy was not about himself, but it was about Jesus (verses 34-35).  

After all these things, Peter said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (verse 36)  

Peter was saying this move of the Holy Spirit is proof that God the Father has declared and planned the recent events they were a part of, and He has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Lord (kyrios in the Greek) means supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title). Christ (christos in the Greek) means anointed, i.e. the Messiah. These are very important titles Peter is applying to Jesus. Consider that devout Jews would have been waiting for the Messiah to appear. The Messiah is also anointed to be King of Israel and to rule over the heathen nations as found in the prophecies of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and others. This Messiah would be supreme in authority as He would rule over all nations whereas David is said to be raised and placed over the entire nation of Israel. 

Peter was explaining that this Jesus of Nazareth is the prophesied anointed one who will rule over all nations that they have been waiting. Yet, he also laid out that Jesus would sit at the right hand of God until the time the Father has appointed for His enemies to subject unto Him. Peter preached the powerful message of the coming worldwide kingdom that will be ruled by God which is the gospel!!! The good news Jesus preached is that the kingdom of God is at hand (coming) (Matt. 4:17). Just like the prophecy proclaimed by Joel the prophet, the prophecy of the coming kingdom of God will be fulfilled!!! This is the message that the saints should be preaching. This same message is the same reason Jesus was crucified. He preached of another kingdom that would replace the kingdom of Caesar and was accused of treason by the Jews (Matt. 27:11-14; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-37; John 19:12-15).  

Preach the Gospel 

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? This is the same message the first century church preached!!! These men were persecuted for preaching about another king and kingdom that would replace the current one. These men preached about a different set of laws (way of being) that is required to be a part of that kingdom. Many of these men died for this message. They were not murdered for preaching love, a prosperity gospel, or another good news generated from the minds of men. They were murdered for declaring we all must change because there is a kingdom coming that will not allow men to live in rebellion against their Creator.   

DO YOU PREACH THIS SAME MESSAGE?!?! Read Matt. 10:24-27. Are you a servant of Jesus Christ? Do you think you are better than your Master? Are you preaching His message or a watered-down, easy to consume version of His message? Jesus said to preach His message from the housetops!!  

Do not be arrogant enough to presume you know a better way to reach people than the Creator of all life!!! PREACH HIS MESSAGE… THE WAY HE PREACHED IT!!! Neither Jesus nor His disciples merely preached about Him as a person, so why would we? They preached about Jesus’ kingship and His kingdom which God prepared for us (Matt. 25:34). None of us were given the permission or discretion to change His message!!! 

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt. 28:19-20) 

Typically, installments from this series are closed with a review of what was discussed in the Bible study. For this installment, I have elected to write a personal message to the reader. Please read the message below with an open mind.  

Personal: I cannot impress upon the reader this point deeply enough to feel satisfied. I want to encourage you to read what Jesus preached and not anyone’s interpretation of what Jesus preached (This includes me). Jesus Christ, the prophets, and the early disciples are documented as preaching a specific message that the majority of so-called ministers do not preach.  

It is my contention that most ministers are NOT the ministers of God. If they were, then they would preach what the Lord Jesus Christ preached!!! A true minister of God would preach ALL of what Jesus preached and not selectively choose what parts of Jesus’ sermons they endorse. Read II Cor. 11:13-15 and Matt. 7:21-23. Jesus Christ told His disciples to teach people all that He commanded. Anyone teaching less than all of what Jesus taught is a worker of iniquity (lawlessness), a false apostle posing as a disciple of Jesus Christ when he is a minister of satan.  

You may think that the previously mention is an absurd allegation, but Jesus says we may know those who are truly speaking for God by their fruits (Matt. 7:15-20). Now look at the professing Christian world and its ministers. Now compare the work of the ministries you see with what is written of Paul and Silas in Acts 17:1-7. They were accused of turning the world upside down for teaching the kingship of Jesus. Do not mistake this for a simple accusation from those who were jealous of Paul and Silas. The preaching of Jesus and the kingdom of God is offensive to those who want to live contrary to the laws of God. Jesus Christ taught He, “shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity.” (Matt. 13:41) This kind of teaching will change those who believe and stir up those who do not. The ministries of our era are not being chased out of town, stoned to death, assaulted, and taken to court for preaching this powerful message.  

Those professing to be God’s servants better get back to preaching about His coming kingdom. The real message of Jesus Christ is a radical message declaring that the rebellion of mankind will end when the King returns to this earth to rule over it with a rod of iron. All that choose to live contrary to His way will be removed from that kingdom and there will be justice, peace, and joy forever!!! Set your heart to be the way God intended mankind to be and strive with your whole being to abstain from the sin of this world!