ACTS 2 PART 2 - THE SERMON

ACTS 2 PART 2 – THE SERMON
“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?"
Acts 2:37

What is the “this” that upon hearing cut them to the heart? It is either the specific declaration, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (2:36) or, (and more likely) it is the entire sermon Peter had just preached! (2:14-36)

Acts 2:14-37

(14-21) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth was the focus and fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophets!
14 “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 " ' And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

(22-23) Peter preached that they were personally responsible for the murder of Jesus!
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) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth had been raised from the dead!
24 “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”

(25-35) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of David!
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) Peter preached that Jesus of Nazareth is both Lord and Christ!
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) When they heard that Jesus of Nazareth was the focus and fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophets; they were personally responsible for His murder; God had raised Him from the dead; He is the Son of David; and, He is both Lord and Christ, they were cut to the heart!
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?"

Beloved One, have you considered these five facts? Have you considered Who Jesus is? Have you considered your personal responsibility for His murder? Have you considered the implications of His resurrection from the dead? Have you considered what it means that He is the Son of David? Have you considered the biblical fact that He is both Lord and Christ; and not just the Christ?

Have you?

NEXT TIME: ACTS 2 PART 3 – PETER’S ANSWER