Acts 2:14-41

St. Peter's sermon and its effects. Peter's sermon falls into four divisions:

(1) Acts 2:14. Explanation of the phenomenon of speaking with tongues as a manifestation of the outpouring of the Spirit foretold by the prophet Joel, Joel 2:28. (2) Acts 2:22. St. Peter shows that the outpouring of the Spirit is connected with the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth, whom, after His crucifixion by lawless men, God raised from the dead, according to the prophecy of David in the Psalms (Psalms 16:8). (3) Acts 2:29. St. Peter proves that Psalms 16:8 refers to the Resurrection not of David but of Jesus, and adds the personal testimony of the Apostles that Jesus had really been raised. He then affirms the Ascension of Jesus, and declares that it is He who has sent down from heaven the gift of the Holy Spirit. From the Ascension which he illustrates by Psalms 110:1, he further concludes that Jesus is the Messianic King so long expected by the Jews. (4) Acts 2:37. St. Peter concludes with a practical exhortation to his hearers to repent and be baptised, that they and their children may receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The genuineness of this speech is vouched for by the simplicity of its theology, and by its resemblances to 1 Peter (e.g. 'foreknowledge,' 1 Peter 1:2; 'to call upon' (God), 1 Peter 1:17; 'rejoicing,' 1 Peter 1:6; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 Peter 4:13; 'the right hand of God,' 1 Peter 3:22; 'exalt,' 1 Peter 5:6; 'the house' (= Israel), 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 4:17, etc.).