Acts 2 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Acts 2 begins with a problem which prompts Peter to explain what is happening by a quote from the minor prophet Joel. Then Peter preaches what is the first Christian sermon, so that 3,000 people join the church. Next, we read of the most lively and warm fellowship we could hope for. This is such a beautiful and significant chapter.
In verses 1-4, it appears the disciples are together in one place (that will change soon!). Suddenly they heard a mighty sound and what appeared to be fire rested on each disciple. Then they began to speak in tongues by the Holy Spirit. Then in vs. 5-13, we read that the Holy Spirit gives the disciples the ability to speak in a language they do not naturally speak or have studied (every missionary’s dream).
Peter then explains that this signals the last days that Joel prophesied about. This makes perfect sense to Peter. He then begins to tell them about Jesus. This first sermon is fascinating for where Peter starts, what he includes and excludes, what Scripture is quoted, how the sermon ends, the response and how the chapter ends.
There is a boldness in these early apostles that should be true of everyone called by God to speak for Him. In those days, they soon learned that speaking about Christ could have deadly consequences (Acts 7:57-60). God provided what they needed: the power of the Holy Spirit. That does not mean that everyone believed their message or they faced no opposition. Rather in the face of angry opposition and hardened unbelief God’s Spirit gave them courage and perseverance and love for their audience. More than that, they fed others (6:1), healed (3:5-9), and gathered together for mutual encouragement (Acts 2:42-47).
This sermon reveals a blood-earnestness in Peter’s sermon which we find in these brand new believers. Where they were once confused and afraid, now they are proclaiming Christ with boldness and calling on their listeners to repent or change their ways and place their faith in Christ. They present Christ as the Savior of sinners by treating sin as a serious barrier between God and man. Peter is not fearful they will not listen or reject Him. Peter is fearful they will reject the gospel and therefore reject the God of the universe and perish forever. Peter is also fearful He will displease God so Peter strives for faithfulness in his preaching.
I love v. 23. If you wonder how God’s providence or sovereignty works in harmony with human freedom, look at v. 23 more closely. The terrible treatment of Christ by guilty sinful people is the “definite plan and foreknowledge of God” yet those who crucified Christ did so by the hands of lawless men. Later in v. 36, Peter shows they are working in direct opposition to God. While God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, they crucified Him.
God accomplished what He intended in the cross. He accomplished His every plan in the life of Christ. The entire gospel was planned in eternity (Rom 1:2; Eph 1:4; Col 1:26). As sinful as they were who killed the Lord Jesus, they were actually doing God’s bidding. They were acting freely, sinfully, without any coercion, yet all they did fulfilled God’s plan. How can we understand this fully?
If the will is the mind choosing anything, we always act with free will. You and I are always choosing what we want. We choose whatever our strongest inclinations are. We always do. If someone puts a gun to my head, and says, “Your money or your life” I am reduced to what appears to be two choices. There may be more. But I can either give him my money or keep my money and risk being shot. Most of us, freely choose to hand over the money.
The reason we sin is because we want to sin. We act freely. We sin because we are sinners is a more Biblical to say it than we are sinners because we sin. Our nature is fallen so we love to go our own way. We reject authority and God’s sovereignty over our lives. So when I am jealous, proud, angry, etc. I am acting and choosing freely. Yet what I want is the problem. I want sin. That is because, by nature, I am a sinner. The sins I commit are a normal consequence of my sinful heart, will, mind, or nature.
Only by God’s Holy Spirit bringing new life into our inner being can we please God. We don’t need a little body work, we need a new engine, transmission, gears, etc. God’s Spirit gives us the freedom from the bondage of sin. After being born again, we are free to love God and obey Him. But apart from that work of God, we are all in bondage while all the while telling everyone how free we are.
Peter is telling them what God had promised throughout the Hebrew Bible, what they called the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. This is an outstanding claim for Jewish people to believe and for a Jewish person to proclaim. Peter says that David spoke or prophesied about Christ. Notice the reaction of Peter’s listeners.
First, the listeners were cut to the heart. That is something no speaker can effect. This cutting to the heart is evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit. Then they asked what they should do? They wanted this freedom. They wanted to do what is right. That is also evidence of God’s Spirit. Peter tells them to repent or have a change of mind and turn away from sin, idolatry, and their own way and believe in Christ. They needed to be baptized. Peter also speaks in covenantal language in v. 39. Your children are included in this promise which is exactly what we would expect a Jew to say. Three thousand people were added to the church that one day.
The chapter ends with one of the most beautiful portraits of church life you can imagine. If you are in a church for very long, you will hear sermons and teaching on this because this passage is so attractive to believers. This is the part of being a Christian we long for and love. These verses express unity, acceptance, care, generosity, health and well-being, sharing, true spirituality, and numerical growth. It seems so easy yet not all of us have experienced this. I wonder if people in the affluent West are less likely to experience this than those who are poor, persecuted, or in predominantly secular, Muslim, or Hindu nations. I wonder how many of those who read this have ever experienced this kind of closeness and acceptance.
Dear heavenly Father, as we read through the Acts of the Apostles we witness the power and work of Your Holy Spirit not just in saving people from the bondage of sin but also forming a body of people who genuinely care for one another. We see acts of courage by many, simple expressions of true spirituality, selfish sins that hurt so many and besmirch the honor of God, and discipline by God upon His people. Comfort, challenge, reassure, convict and teach us as we read through this book. In Christ’s joyful name, Amen.