Peter's Pentecost sermon, delivered in AD 31, carries a timeless message that resonates even on Pentecost in 1999. On that historic day, the signs of a rushing mighty wind, tongues of fire, and speaking in other languages attracted attention, confirmed God's Word through His servants, and bore pointed meanings of both blessing and destruction. These signs, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, also hinted at violence and calamity, reflecting a dichotomy of good and evil, life and death, as Peter understood them. They shook the crowd emotionally and spiritually, urging a choice between construction and destruction. Peter's sermon, addressed to the men of Judea, Israel, and brethren, unfolds in three distinct sections. Initially, he quotes Joel 2:28-32, extending beyond prophecy to declare that the great and notable day of the Lord has dawned with the giving of the Holy Spirit, marking a new era of divine intervention. He emphasizes that the time of judgment has begun, presenting a choice between salvation and wrath, with hope for those who call upon the name of the Lord. In the second section, Peter confronts the crowd with their knowledge of Jesus of Nazareth, whose signs and wonders they witnessed. He asserts that God's determined counsel and foreknowledge orchestrated these events, and quotes David to affirm that the grave could not hold the Holy One. Peter boldly declares that Jesus, whom they crucified, must be the Messiah, placing them first in line for God's wrath unless they choose differently. In the final section, Peter clarifies that David's tomb still holds his body, while Jesus' tomb is empty, fulfilling prophecy as the greater Son, the Messiah. He proclaims Jesus as King and Savior, seated at God's right hand, dispensing the Holy Spirit to empower the church. Peter highlights a period between Christ's ascension and the final subjugation of enemies, a time for choosing sides in the spiritual battle. He concludes by asserting that God made Jesus both Lord and Messiah, accusing the crowd of crucifying their Savior and urging them to decide whether to face Him as Judge or Redeemer. The sermon's impact was profound, striking guilt into the devout Jews who sought guidance. Peter instructs each to repent, be baptized, and acknowledge Jesus as Messiah, opening salvation to as many as God calls. He urges them to come out of the world and separate from a vile generation, aligning with the age of God that has just begun. The result was a mass conversion of about three thousand souls, uniting the early church in fervent prayer, brotherly love, and shared purpose, marking a high point of spiritual unity. Peter's message remains a call to choose daily between following Christ or returning to the world, facing judgment toward salvation or wrath.

Peter's Pentecost Sermon, delivered on a remarkable day, stands as a pivotal moment in the early church. As the first sermon in the newly founded church of God, it marks the initial instance of an apostle quoting Old Testament scripture, specifically Joel 2:28-32, to address the events unfolding before the audience. Peter boldly declares that the phenomena witnessed are not the result of inebriation but are the fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Joel. He connects Joel's apocalyptic imagery of blood, fire, and smoke, as well as the pouring out of God's Spirit on all flesh, to the miraculous events of Pentecost, including the divided tongues as of fire. The significance of Peter's sermon lies in his understanding of the Pentecost miracle, which temporarily reversed the language division imposed at Babel. This miracle enabled communication between the Galilean disciples, who spoke in languages they had not learned, and a diverse audience of Jews and Gentile proselytes from around the world. Peter recognized that this breaking of linguistic barriers symbolized a new level of communication between God and mankind, and between man and man. He saw in Joel's prophecy the inclusion of Gentiles, as the promise of salvation extended to whoever calls on the name of the Lord. In his concluding remarks, Peter responds to the crowd's inquiry about what they should do, affirming that even those afar off, including Gentiles, could be among the remnant whom the Lord calls. Through his sermon, Peter conveys the good news that God's salvation is now accessible to all, dispelling the spiritual darkness and gloom that had obscured the Gentiles' vision of salvation. On that day of Pentecost, God spread apart the clouds, allowing the light of His salvation to reach all who were present.