1. Acts 2:22–36 (ESV)
  2. Application

The Spirit wants us to focus on Jesus Christ

Acts 2:22–36 (ESV)

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know

We remember that Peter's sermon comes immediately after the Spirit has filled the apostles and given them the gift of speaking in foreign languages. There is a miracle that has just taken place. Despite this, it is not the Spirit who is the focus of Peter’s sermon, but Jesus. The outpouring of the Spirit and the gifts that the Spirit gives are not meant to draw attention to him but point to the one who received the Spirit from the Father, even our Lord Jesus Christ. Whether it is from the Scriptures which the Spirit inspired or the gifts which he gives to the apostles, in both instances the Spirit works to focus attention on Jesus.

As we work through Acts learning more about the work of the Spirit in the new covenant, we should keep this reality in mind. The Holy Spirit wants me to focus on who Jesus is and what Jesus did. He does not want me to go chasing after special second blessing experiences. He does not want me to go searching for new dreams and visions as if the Christ is still unknown and only coming in the future. He does not want me to go looking for special gifts with which to wow those around me and confirm my salvation. No, he wants me to focus on Jesus; Jesus who is Lord and Christ.

Jesus as Lord. That is not only a confession of status but a recognition that he is the Master who gets to tell me what to do. If God has made him Lord, then I am right to listen to him and the word spoken about him by the apostles. Christ is the Prophet who came to make the Father known, the High Priest who provided atonement for sin. If God has made him Christ, then he is the only one who can give salvation and I must be reconciled to him before it is too late.