Proclaim Jesus Acts 2:14-36

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who disbelieved shall be condemned’” (Mk. 16:15-16, NASB).

When I began the process of determining what I will write about for this space there are several issues that come to my mind. I think about the news reports of migrant families being mistreated at the southern borders of the United States. The pictures in some cases appear to be horrific. The democrats are in their primary election debates. To what degree does a person’s position that they held over twenty years ago bear on what they will do now and in the future? Do people evolve? Do people change, or do we conclude that one’s past locks them into a position once held for their entire life? Should the government collect taxes to fund college tuition for the majority of students? Maybe these young people and their parents need to work themselves and learn to make better plans. Maybe we need to place emphasis on teaching people that there are consequences for the decisions that they make. The issue of Abortion is a “hot button” topic of debate. Should the Supreme Court reverse Roe vs. Wade? Does a woman have the right to control her own body? Do we have a moral obligation to protect the unborn? Does the unborn fetus have the same right to life as any other human being? June is Pride month; a time of celebration and affirmation of persons that identify themselves as members of the LGBTQ community. A lot of people are strongly opposed to the LGBTQ community. Some people say that they are sinners and cannot be saved. They are eternally condemned unless they are first converted to heterosexual beings. They should not be given equality under the law.

As I am thinking about these things I am aware that in every case on every issue each person states that they are standing on moral grounds, and “American values.” The truth is that regardless of the issue America has never in its history had a common belief about the issues that face this country. The good thing is that we have the right to vote on issues and persons that state their support for our personal view of the issue in question. We have the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to guide and in some cases control our decisions. These revered documents guarantee that all citizens have the right to social justice and equality under the law. They are not theological documents that tell us what one’s relationship to God is even though the authors of these documents had a strong affinity for the bible and the Christian religion.

Now, for Christians these issues sometimes place us in some “catch 22” positions. It seems that we are hard pressed to make an appropriate choice. For example, when President Trump is told about the horrible conditions at the border retaining sites he responds that the pictures should be shown in the countries of their origin in order to send a message to those that try to enter the country illegally. Which is more important, protecting the boundaries of the country or aiding those seeking asylum because of the conditions that they live in their own country? When Jesus is challenged on the issue of paying taxes to Caesar Jesus replies “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God” (Mk. 12:17, NASB). This incident is recorded in all three of the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. I recently read an article in which the writer used this verse to support the position taken by President Trump.

For me, I find myself caught in a catch 22 situation. Since I am a Registered Nurse I am very concerned when people are placed in situation that compromise their health including physical health, mental health, and emotional health. I am concerned about the dignity of every human being. At the same time I am a United States army veteran. I know the importance of protecting our borders. I am acutely aware that while most migrants that enter into the country are seeking asylum and a chance for a better life. However, I know that if there are not controls over who enters the country it is easier for our enemies to infiltrate the country and cause harm to American citizens. Remember, it took less than twenty people to carry out the devastation of 911. I am a Baptist preacher and I am concerned when religious folk become insensitive to the needs of poor folk. In John 6 we read that Jesus had compassion for five thousand people. He feeds them simply because they are hungry and have no food to eat. When Jesus tells the people that giving people food for the body is not His primary ministry most of the people stop following Him. Their response does not deter Jesus from doing the work that His Father sends Him to do.

As we can see human beings are unable it seems to find common ground on the issues. It seems that the human race cannot reach a lasting peaceable solution to the issues that they are faced with. What are we Christians supposed to do? There is an answer to our questions. I believe that the best way for the Christian church to help people to come to a right conclusion and a right answer to their questions is to proclaim Jesus. Let us begin to unpack this assertion.

In Acts 2, Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ preaches the first evangelistic sermon. Peter and 119 other disciples of Jesus are in an upper room. The Holy Spirit descends upon the church and a group of unlearned people begin to speak in languages that they do not know. The crowd is amazed and some of them think that those speaking are drunk from drinking sweet wine. Their leader, Peter speaks on their behalf. They are not drunk and besides it is only “the third hour of the day” (Acts 2:15, NASB). Peter proclaims that the people’s speaking in tongues is a testimony to the words that were spoken of by the prophet Joel (v. 16). As we read through the words of Peter in this initial evangelistic sermon we begin to understand the reason that we should proclaim Jesus. For me, however, it is more than simply telling people to believe in Jesus. We will notice that Peter does not begin by telling the people to believe in Jesus. Rather, he tells them about Jesus and the people in turn ask him what they should do (v. 37). What are the things that Peter tells the people about Jesus?

First, Peter establishes Jesus’ identity. He is “Jesus the Nazarene” (v. 22). Jesus is a man that is from God. He does not come with empty words. His words are not deceiving. There are no tricks. There are no lies. His words are authoritative and His words reveal to us the heart and mind of God. He is the “logos” of God (John 1:1) that gives light and life to the world (Jn. 1:1-5). Jesus tells us what the will of God is. “With miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him,” (Acts 2:22) He demonstrates that He is from God. In His life and the works that He does Jesus demonstrates that He has the power of God. Jesus speaks not with authority given to Him by men; rather He speaks the words that the Father gives to Him. Therefore, Jesus does not choose sides with any group of people. Instead, Jesus offers all people access to God. Thus, we proclaim Jesus because His ways are the ways that God establishes before the foundations of the world.

Jesus is nailed to the cross by the hands of men. Yet, men do not have the power to kill Him. They do not have power to take Him prisoner. The crooked acts of the Sanhedrin Council and the Roman authorities are possible because Jesus is “delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (2:23, NASB). This is an example of the providence of God. Jesus is “nailed to the cross by the hands of godless men and put to death,” (v. 23) but they do not have the last word. These wicked men do not know it, but they are carrying out the predetermined plan of God.

Jesus dies on the cross. In His death Jesus is separated from God His Father. As He is dying on the cross He cries out “My God, my God, why have thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34, NASB). Jesus is not dead. Are you serious? If He dies on the cross, how do you say that He is not dead? Peter continues his message saying these words: “‘This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are witnesses’” (2:32, NASB). Jesus lives and He is “exalted to the right hand of the God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear” (v.33).

Furthermore, “God has made Him both Lord and Christ” (v. 36). This means that instead of telling people our opinions on the matters, we are to proclaim Jesus. When the people hear Peter’s words they want to know what they should do to be saved.

Did you notice that Peter does not state his opinion on secular matters? Instead, those that become members of the church separate themselves from the world. They become Disciples of Christ. They observe the things that Jesus commands His disciples to do. When we are lead and guided by the Holy Spirit we will do what Jesus will have us to do. Thus, the answers to our questions are not found in political debates along with human philosophies and reasoning. It is the job of the church to proclaim Jesus who leads us by His word and guides us by His Spirit. I believe that prayer is more effective than voting. The reality is that we ought to do both. In Matthew 28:1-20 Jesus tells His disciples that He is authorizing them with the authority that He receives from the Father. They are to make disciples of Jesus to all people. They are to teach the disciples to observe everything that Jesus commands. He promises them that He will be with them till the end of the ages.