DAY #182: Acts 2:5-36

This gathering of the nations was a perfect platform for launching the worldwide mission of the church. This event told the Jerusalem church that God intended the gospel for all the nations in their own languages.

The list of people includes the many lands from which Jews came to Jerusalem—some living in Palestine and others who had been dispersed throughout the world through captivities and persecutions. The list begins from the east of the Roman Empire and sweeps to the south and west.

Very likely, some of the Jews who responded to Peter’s message then returned to their homelands with God’s Good News of salvation. Through this divine manifestation of languages, therefore, God prepared the way for the spread of the gospel across the world. Throughout the book of Acts, it is clear how often the way was prepared for Paul and other messengers by people who had become believers at Pentecost. The church at Rome, for example, was probably begun by such Jewish believers. The list of countries reads mostly from East to West geographically, but why they are cited and why in this order is not known.

The content of these speeches in each language was the wonderful things God has done. The subject of discussion was not sin, repentance, judgment, not even the gospel, but rather the proclamation of the mighty works of God. This was a sign for unbelieving Israel that the Messiah had come.


Peter, the early spokesman for the Twelve, seized the opportunity and preached to the crowd. Peter explained to the people why they should listen to the testimony of the believers: because the Old Testament prophecies had been entirely fulfilled in Jesus, because Jesus is the Messiah, and because the risen Christ could change their lives.

Peter answered the accusation that they were all drunk by saying it was too early in the day for that. He then proceeded to tie the event the crowd had just witnessed to the words of the prophet Joel, quoting from Joel 2:28-32 - "I will pour out my Spirit upon all people...".

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was released throughout the entire world—to men, women, slave owners, slaves, Jews, and Gentiles. Everyone can receive the Spirit. This was a revolutionary thought for first-century Jews. Pentecost was designed to be a clear indication—to Jew and Gentile alike—that the messianic age had arrived. The Messiah had come!

This is Peter’s punch line. This salvation is available to anyone. Any person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. God’s special relationship with Israel will continue, but it has been broadened to include everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. God’s plans for Israel had their climax in Christ. Access to God—for all people—now comes through Jesus Christ.

With little forewarning Peter suddenly accused his Jewish audience of an awful participation in the Messiah’s death. This is a perfect presentation of God’s sovereignty and people’s responsibility—both in the same sentence. God’s prearranged plan was his sovereign will to bring salvation to people through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Peter was pointing his finger at the crowd and shouting, “You nailed him to the cross and murdered him.” But the murdered Messiah had not stayed dead. God raised him back to life again, and many people could testify to having seen the risen Christ. This was a powerful statement because many of the people listening to Peter’s words had been in Jerusalem fifty days earlier at Passover and may have seen or heard about the crucifixion of this “great teacher.” Jesus’ resurrection was the ultimate sign that what he said about himself was true.

Without the Resurrection, no one would have any reason to believe in Jesus. Peter phrased it appropriately: death could not keep him in its grip. Peter had one more major point to make: this crucified one, the resurrected one, is now the exalted one, who occupies the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand). Not only is Christ the predicted one in the Psalms, not only had he risen from the grave, but he now sits in the most authoritative, sovereign position in the universe. That is why Jesus had the authority to pour out the Spirit with results that the audience could see and hear.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I Love Peter. He preached it and the people responded. Lord, may your Holy Spirit fall upon the San Ramon Valley. May You draw all to you. Lord, use COV. give our people the courage to invite and share with others about Christ. Give our people a love for people and an awareness of the those who don't know You. Break our heart with the things that break your heart.

Lord, in this culture where it is believed that there are many roads to the mountain top (heaven), remind us that there is only one road. Jesus Christ. I like to call it Highway 146.

(Jesus) "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one gets to the Father, except through me" John 14:6