identify key words and phrases.
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty
that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles,
“Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied,
“Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
invite others to repent and turn to Jesus.
Briefly share the main points of Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:17-35.
16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18 EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy. 19 'AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. 20 'THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME. 21 'AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.'
22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know-- 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. 25 "For David says of Him, 'I SAW THE LORD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN. 26 'THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE; 27 BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY. 28 'YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.'
29 "Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 "And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. 32 "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. 34 "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, 35 UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET."'
Highlight the word “certainty in verse 36.”
Point out that confidence is an indicator of true faith.
Point out that Peter emphasized every person’s responsibility in Jesus’s crucifixion.
how do you feel about Peter’s claim.
learn more about the listeners’ response.
They were pierced to the heart. They asked what must we do?
Repent and be baptized
Peter called on his audience to repent and to be baptized.
Repentance is turning from sin and turning to God by trusting in the sacrifice of Christ.
Repentance is not an act of penance.
It is the admission that we are sinners who need a Savior.
While baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is the first step of obedience.
Baptism is an external symbol of an internal transformation.
Through baptism, individuals testify that they have died to sin, been raised to new life in Christ, and commit to walking with Christ until He returns.
Believers can, and should, invite others to respond to the work of God.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 27 of the Personal Study Guide:
Invite the group to share the points from the session that most resonated with them. Briefly discuss ways they could put these principles into practice during the week. Discuss the way Scripture and personal testimony combine in an effective gospel presentation.
Remind adults of the “Key Activity” on page 32 of the Leader Guide. Encourage them to continue thanking God for salvation and seeking His plan for their lives. Close the session in prayer, asking God to help adults identify clear opportunities to be His witness in the coming week.
Make the session memory verse a daily prayer on behalf of the group. Encourage them to think about several people they know or might meet as they read “house of Israel.” Sometime during the week share Acts 2:36 in a group text or email. Invite adults to also share any stories of witnessing opportunities with the group. Remind them that you are praying for them to recognize the opportunities God provides when they happen-and to have the Spirit’s boldness to share the gospel well.
Provide copies of “Holy Spirit Breathe on Me” (Baptist Hymnal 2008, 332). Encourage the group to join you singing the song. Encourage adults to identify the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the lyrics. (Examples: breath or wind, flames or fire) Suggest that the lyrics also reveal powerful works of the Spirit involving salvation and guidance. Challenge adults to examine their lives for the Spirit’s work as they study this session.