The First Gospel Sermon of Jesus Christ

Acts 2:22-41

INTRODUCTION

1. With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost...Acts 2:1-4

a. The promises of Joel, John the Baptist, and Jesus were being fulfilled!

b. As foretold by Joel and John, a time of judgment and salvation was at hand! - Acts 2:16-21

2. After explaining the meaning of the miraculous events on that day, Peter...

a. Quickly diverted their attention from the miracles to the message

b. A message involving a crucified, risen, and exalted Lord!

With Peter's message we find the proclamation of "The First Gospel Sermon." For the first time, the gospel of Christ was preached and people were told how to respond.  Let's take a closer look at...

I. THE SERMON

A. JESUS ATTESTED BY GOD...

1. Peter proclaims Jesus as a Man attested by God through His miracles – Acts 2:22
2. Done in their midst, they could not deny the signs Jesus did while alive!

B. JESUS PUT TO DEATH...

1. By crucifixion, which they themselves did with lawless (Roman)hands - Acts 2:23

2. Though according to God's predetermined purpose and foreknowledge - cf. Isa 53:10-12

3. Jesus' death and their involvement they could not deny!

C. JESUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD...

1. God raised Jesus, having loosed the pains of death - Acts 2:24

2. Peter offered three proofs that Jesus rose from the dead

a. David's prophecy, fulfilled in Jesus - Acts 2:25-31; cf. Ps 16:8-11

b. Eyewitness testimony, by the twelve apostles - Acts 2:32; cf. Acts 1:21-22

c. Outpouring of the Spirit, which the audience themselves saw and heard - Acts 2:33

3. Compelling evidence to those who were present!

D. JESUS EXALTED AS LORD AND CHRIST...

1. The outpouring of the Spirit was the result of Jesus' exaltation - Acts 2:33

2. Jesus' exaltation was also prophesied by David - Acts 2:34-35; cf. Ps 110:1

3. Thus the crucified Jesus was now Lord and Christ! - Acts 2:36

[Powerfully, effectively, Peter presented Jesus as a good man who was crucified, raised from the dead, and now exalted as both Lord and Christ. As we continue, let's notice...]

II. THE RESPONSE

A. THE REACTION...

1. They were cut to the heart (convicted of their sin) - Acts 2:37

a. This implies they believed the message about Jesus
b. As told:  "know assuredly that God has made Jesus...Lord and Christ" - cf. Acts 2:36 

2. They asked Peter and the apostles, "What shall we do?" – Acts 2:37

a. Indeed what can one do, what should one do?

b. Some say there is nothing one can do, for that would suggest salvation by works

c. But obedience is not inconsistent with salvation by faith - cf. Rom 1:5, Rom 6:17 Rom 16:25-26

d. Indeed, Christ is the author of salvation to all who obey! - Hebrews 5:9; cf. 1 Pet 1:22

e. Thus the gospel must be obeyed! - cf. 1 Pet 4:17; 2 Thess 1:7-8

f. Even as Paul was told to go to Damascus, where he would be told what he must do - cf. Acts 9:6; 22:6

g. And as Cornelius was to send for Peter, who would tell him what he must do - cf. Acts 10:5-6,33,47-48

B. THE REPLY...

1. They were told to repent - Acts 2:38

a. Which is what Jesus wanted His apostles to proclaim - cf. Lk 24:46-47

b. To repent is to make the decision to turn from one's sins toward obeying God

2. They were told to be baptized - Acts 2:38

a. Which is what Jesus wanted His apostles to proclaim - cf. Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15-16

b. To be immersed in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins - cf. Acts 22:16

3. That they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:38

a. That is, to receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.

b. Which had been promised and now poured out - cf. Acts 2:33

c. And was now promised to all those who obey Christ - Acts 2:39; 5:32

C. THE RESULT...

1. Following further exhortation:  "Be saved (save yourselves,(ESV) from this perverse generation" - Acts 2:40

2. 3000 gladly received his word and were baptized - Acts 2:41

3. Those baptized were "added" by the Lord to His church – Acts 2:41; cf. Acts 2:47

III. CONCLUSION

1. What an amazing conclusion to a day that started with amazing events...

a. Jesus was proclaimed as a crucified, raised and exalted Lord!

b. Three thousand souls responded immediately to the gospel!

2. When the gospel is shared, what should people do...?

a. Believe (know assuredly, with conviction that Jesus is the Lord who died for them) - Acts 2:36

b. Repent of their sins (make the decision to turn from sin and turn to God) - Acts 2:38

c. Be baptized for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:38-39

Is that what you were told to do when the gospel of Christ was shared with you?  Or were you told a "different gospel" (cf. Ga 1:6-10)?  To ensure that you are truly saved, make your response the same as those souls on the Day of Pentecost...

"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." ~ Acts 2:41

The water doesn't save - The blood of Christ saves by His resurrection and spiritual circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12) through the passive act of baptism done by others in water, commanded by Jesus... Mark 16:16