The first proclamation of the Gospel

"Then Peter ... said unto them : ... Let all the house of Israel know it with certainty : God has made both Lord and Christ this Jesus whom you have crucified." Acts 2:14, 36

Peter pronounces this speech on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection of the Lord. It has long been a big holiday for Jews. In the first century, the rabbis will celebrate the alliance contracted at Sinai. In the account of Acts, on that day, several events take place in Jerusalem, where many Jews from all over the world gather.

The Holy Spirit, accompanied by the typical signs of the divine presence - the wind and the fire - descends on the gathered disciples. They are able to proclaim in the tongues of the hearers "the wonderful things of God" (Acts 2:11). This event opens a new period, that of the formation of the Church. The abandonment of Hebrew, the official religious language, in favor of foreign languages, shows that salvation extends to all nations, which surprises the assembled Jews. The other event mentioned in this chapter divides the Jewish people : it is the place of Jesus as "Lord and Christ" that Peter reveals. Some Jews followed Jesus, others pursue his followers with their hatred.

It is in this context that the Apostle Peter intervenes; he quotes prophecies of A.T. who announce the events and explain them : it will be the first proclamation of the Gospel. The gift of the Spirit is only the first concretization of a prophecy of Joel (verses 17-21) : it announced the outpouring of the Spirit of God after a long silence that goes back to the time of Malachi.

To show the Jews that Jesus was "made and Lord and Christ", Peter takes up the words of David by applying them to Jesus : "Thou shalt not allow thy saint to see corruption" (v. 27, Ps. 16. 10). In this verse, written many centuries ago, it is evident that David spoke of another since they had the tomb of the king before him (v.29). At the end of his speech, Peter proclaims to the House of Israel the official place God has given to Jesus. We understand the effect produced on the listeners of the time : "They had their hearts pierced and told Peter ... what should we do" (v.37).

Despised at the time, unknown in our country today, Jesus is recognized by faith ; what is it for us today ? A wise man among others or the only savior ?

Following Peter, let us call all men to "repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38, 20:21).

Source (To please the Lord)