The Gift Of The Holy Spirit Series

ACTS 2: 36-41

PETER'S SERMON AT PENTECOST [Part 3]

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

[John 16:8-11]

A Sunday School teacher had just finished teaching a lesson on the Prodical Son. “Now Billy,” she asked, “tell me what we must do before we can expect to be forgiven for our sin?” Without hesitation Billy replied, “First we gotta sin.”

The most momentous question anyone can ask is the questions, “What must I do to be saved?” A wrong answer to that question, no matter how corrects a person’s sincerely, or beliefs may be in religion or any other area, is the path to eternal tragedy.

Because of the vitalness of a correct answer to this question satan has made great effort to muddy the water. The result has been a panorama of wrong answers. Though many are based on the Bible they are a perversion of biblical truth.

In our passage Peter gives the correct answer to the questions how to be saved and how to receive the Holy Spirit, for both have the same answer. Conviction of sin, true belief in Jesus as Lord and repentance from sin are the necessary ingredients of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit (CIT). Peter wraps his Pentecost [50th day after 2nd day of Passover; Jewish Feast of Weeks-Shavuoth] message which began in verse 14 with an appeal for his listeners to do just that and be saved.

I. THE APPEAL FOR SALVATION, 36-40.

II. THE RESULTS OF SALVATION, 41-42.

Verse 36 is the conclusion or the logical outcome of Peter’s argument. “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Therefore—that is, to sum up the whole message Peter has been proclaiming under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God’s resurrection and exaltation of Jesus affirms Him to be Mankind’s Lord and Israel’s Messiah. This appeal is formally made to the whole house of Israel, as the then existing Kingdom of God. They, and we, “know assuredly” by indisputable facts, fulfilled predictions, and the seal of the Holy Spirit outpouring. What are we to assuredly know? We are to “know for certain that God,” by His own plan and purpose, “has made” Jesus both Lord and Messiah. Jesus is “both Lord and Christ.” This is affirmation of Christ’s deity in the strongest terms.

When the crowd understood who it was they had wrongfully crucified, they respond by calling out in authentic concern in verse 37. “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter’s sermon was devastating. He has charged his audience with rejecting and crucifying the Messiah, the very One God had made both Lord and Christ. When they heard this “they were cut to the heart.” “Pierced” or stabbed (Gk. katanusso) depicts something sudden and unexpected. The cut was not to the body, but to the heart, and they were overcome by conviction and remorse. The preaching pierced to the core of their consciousness. They had not trifled with a Galilean carpenter, but God!

They understood that they had refused Him in whom all hope of salvation rests. No wonder they cried out, “What shall we do?” Do you hear the awaken sinner’s call? What shall we do to make things right? What must we do to be safe? They were experiencing a deep awareness of their own guilt and a panicky fear of God’s repercussion or judgment. Such is the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:8).

Not only had they made a frightful mistake, their whole life had be wrong. In this beautiful spirit of genuine repentance, they seek only to be set right for the future, whatever the change involved, and the sacrifices required.

Charged with such a great offense no wonder the listeners cried out, “What shall we do?” Peter was ready with an answer and the first Christian invitation in verse 38. Peter replied, “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.

[This verse is one of the most controversial in the New Testament.] Peter’s answer to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit is the only true answer. Peter calls upon them to “repent.” The word repent (metanoéo) is a two part word in the Greek; “metá” means “after” and “néo,” “to perceive” [from nous, “mind”]. Repent literally means “to change one’s mind after perceiving or understanding.” This perception is attested to by a change in one’s character and conduct. The repentant turns from sin and self to Jesus Christ. The repentant turns from rebellion and selfishness and turns to Christ for forgiveness, mercy, grace, instruction, guidance and purpose. [“Repent” is second person imperative, indicating a mandate for all to repent. Repentance is a Christian absolute both doctrinally and experientially (Luke 13:3). “Be baptized” is third person passive imperative, thereby stressing individual responsibility to obey. Criswell, W. A., Patterson, P., Clendenen, E. R., Akin, D. L., Chamberlin, M., Patterson, D. K., & Pogue, J. (Eds.). (1991). Believer’s Study Bible (electronic ed., Ac 2:38). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.]