As I began a three week Easter celebration preaching series this past Sunday titled, We Have a Reason to Celebrate I preached on the subject, The Gospel Before Time, from Acts 2:22-41. In that passage of Scripture, we see Peter standing up in the faces of the self righteous Jews and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we examine that passage of Scripture, we see several things that had to occur before time in order to bring about the salvation of our souls.I. The Savior’s Plan of Redemption (Vs. 22-23)In this section of Scripture, we see how Peter explained who Jesus was. He was more than a man. He was more than the son of a carpenter. He was more than Jesus of Nazareth. This man that the Jews had killed was actually the anointed One of God. Peter points that out and claims that all of the signs, wonders and miracles were done in order to prove that Jesus was the very Christ.Peter goes further and explains a very weighty doctrine to these unconverted religious Jews. How often do you hear an evangelist stand before a group of lost people and deliver a message with deep doctrine like Peter did here? He explained that the plan of the cross was before time. Peter used two specific words to describe this truth.1. Determinate Counsel: This is the “definite plan” or the “predetermined plan” of God. This word is often described as2. Foreknowledge of God: The subject is further intensified when the word “foreknowledge” is used. This is the word, “prognosis” in the Greek. It can be translated, “to choose,” “to love beforehand,” “knew,” “predestined,” or “purpose.” It does not take long to note that the word here is not referring to a “knowledge” beforehand. This is not prescience. This word is not a reference to the omniscience of God. Yes, God can see the future, but a clear defining of the word, a clear reading of the context, and an honest effort of interpretation will lead one to see that “foreknowledge” used in Acts 2:23 or 1 Peter 1:2 is not a picture of God looking through time, but a reference to the divine plan and action of God to bring about His perfect will on the basis of His good pleasure alone.As we examine this passage, Peter is preaching to Jews about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not merely murdered by the Jews. Jesus was delivered over by the predetermined plan of God (before time) into the lawless Jews’ hands. While this may seem strange, it was both sinful and satisfying to God for His Son to be crucified. As each of the Romans nailed Jesus to the cross under the request of the Jews, it was a sin! However, at the very same time, it was the plan of God for the redemption of “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord.” We must be extremely careful not to make God the author of sin in this case. That is not at all what Peter was trying to accomplish in his sermon. Peter simply defends the sovereignty of God and allows these lawless Jews to realize that they were not in control – God is the One who is in control. For the lawless Jew – that would have literally pierced their heart.II. The Spirit’s Book of Redemption (Vs. 24-32)Not only did God predestine His Son to the cross of Calvary, He also planned the Word of God before time. In this section of Peter’s sermon, we see that Peter references the writings of King David. From Psalm 16, Peter quotes the famous prophecy of the resurrection. It becomes evident to these lawless Jews that the plan of God for the cross was long before time, and it also became obvious that He moved upon men like David to write down prophecies that would ultimately come to fulfillment in the very One they had crucified.The Word of God is His plan to spread the divine message of redemption to the nations. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). As we see Paul’s testimony of Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – it is the very Book of God. Therefore, if God planned to inform the world about His Son through a Book – the Bible – it becomes obvious that this plan was in effect before time. Just as Jesus was slain before time, the Book would also be planned before time as well.III. The Sovereign Person of Redemption (Vs. 33-36)The sovereign person of redemption is Jesus Christ – the Son of God. Peter continues his sermon in a climax that builds toward Jesus Christ. He presents Him as the One who is exalted and who is the Christ. These two titles speak of His position of power and His title of power. He is exalted because all power is given unto Him in Heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18-20). He is exalted because He is sitting at the right hand of God. Jesus is also called the Christ, which is a reference to the anointed One of God – the fulfillment of the promised Messiah of the Old Testament prophets.The point that Peter was making is simple. Peter wanted these Jews to understand that salvation comes only in one single person – Jesus the Christ of God. They had killed Him. However, if they will turn to Him, they will be saved and spared from the wrath of God. Jesus is the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Jesus is the sovereign person that is the fulfillment of all lambs who were slain in Jewish history. As John the Baptist called Him – “The lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).IV. The Saving Message of Redemption (Vs. 37-42)It has been said before that God will always have a man to preach His message. That has been true all through history and remains so today. The preaching of the cross is the plan of God – through men – to the world. God could have chosen angels to fly through the skies and do it. But, instead, He chose men to do it.The conclusion of the sermon by Peter centers on repentance. These guilty Jews were consumed with the truth of their guilt and sin. The text actually says they were “pricked in their heart.” This is a Greek word that actually describes the ground that has been stomped by a horse. They were under severe distress and desperation because of their soul’s condition of sin and condemnation.They turned to Peter and asked how they could be saved. Peter informs them that they must repent (turn from their sin and to the Savior Jesus Christ for forgiveness). Following their salvation, they must be baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ. It should be noted that this is not a reference to baptism in the name of Jesus only or baptismal regeneration.1. Jesus Only Baptism: The reason that Peter informs these Jews to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ as opposed to the typical “God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Trinitarian and Scriptural method) was due to the fact that they had no respect at all for Jesus of Nazareth. They claimed He was not the Messiah – not the Christ – and that He must be killed for blasphemy. Therefore, in an effort to demonstrate true allegiance to Christ as their Savior, Peter instructed them to be baptized in His name alone.2. Baptismal Regeneration: Some people claim that this text references the fact that faith in Jesus plus baptism is necessary for salvation (forgiveness of sin). It must be noted that the Greek preposition in the text eis can be rendered “on the basis or foundation of.” And this seems to be the most literal rendering of the text from the Greek manuscripts. “Repent and be baptized on the basis and foundation of your forgiveness of sin.” Furthermore, it should be pointed out that baptism alone is a work. We are not saved by any works of the flesh. Salvation is not a combination effort between Jesus and us in hopes that we will get baptized. And, finally, it should be noted that the thief on the cross next to Jesus was never baptized, but he went to Heaven when he died.The wonderful ending of this sermon demonstrates the power of God that comes upon the people through the preaching of the Word. Peter did not give them a self-help message or a pop-psychology feel good sermon. He preached about sin, about salvation, and he accented it with weighty doctrinal truths in a masterful way. At the end – we see that God blessed and three thousand souls were saved!Life Lessons:1. The sovereignty of God over all events of life. While it was a sin for these Jews to crucify Jesus, it was at the very same time the overarching plan of God.2. The responsibility and freedom of man. Man is not a robot. Man is a free moral agent. Therefore, man willfully chose to kill Jesus and God used it to accomplish His divine purpose. This is often difficult to grasp and understand how the sovereignty of God and the responsibility and freedom of man come together without contradiction. This truth can be best described through the Old Testament truth of Joseph. While his brothers intended it for evil (Joseph being sold into slavery and his false death all planned by his jealous brothers) – God intended it for good.3. The gospel is the plan of God – even before time. Our God is a planner who rules without being limited to the choices of His creation. He plans out His divine purposes long before He created the world (Titus 1:1-2).4. The power of the preached Word. Our God planned to use the means of preaching to save them that believe (1 Corinthians 1:21). What seems like a foolish thing to the lost world is something beautiful to God. God, long before time, planned to raise up prophets and preachers to proclaim the message of the gospel. Therefore, like Peter, we should have a renewed confidence in the Word of God. It is sufficient. It is powerful. We should make sure it is the foundation and cornerstone of our ministries as opposed to events and other things that often seem more attractive to people.For the glory of God – Who deserves our praise!Josh Buice
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