“Lord Jesus, we thank You that we are Your image bearers in this world. Our identity and what we represent is not a flimsy, man-made philosophy, but we stand on the rock-solid truth of Jesus, who is the centre of history.
All things and consist hold together in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
Peter began by quoting Prophet Joel but now Peter is bringing across God’s message to them.
We know that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the disciples speaking in different languages took place at the time of Pentecost. Pentecost takes place 50 days from the time of the Passover or the time of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
As Peter addressed this group, he knew that they were all present at the time of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, the life and message of Jesus were fresh on their minds. Peter begins from the fact of Jesus.
As a disposition and as we engage with people, we must not be hesitant or think that we must first establish the fact of Jesus. It is when we seem tentative that our detractors get more aggressive and they shut down anything that we present, as the claims of Christ.
We must be rock solid in our identity in Christ for He is unshakeable. History is hinged on Jesus. We do not have to prove Jesus to anyone. Jesus remains. Our life and our temperament are of security and assurance for we are rooted in the fact of Jesus.
This is how Peter is addressing his audience. Confidence and assurance are oozing out from him for he knows that he is standing on the solid rock of Jesus. Peter is convicting his audience that since the fact of Jesus is undeniable, they need to reckon with the message of Jesus.
This audience knew the life of Jesus, they knew that there was no sin in Christ. They knew His miracles, His love and care for people, and His confident confrontation with the Jewish leaders. They could not deny that they knew that He was the Messiah. _(Matthew 27:22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”)
This audience could not wash away Jesus from their lives. He was God and they had to reckon with Him. It was from this position that Peter addressed his audience.
The whole of humanity and creation is in turmoil because of man’s rejection of the truth. We must be confident of our position as witnesses of Christ, for we stand on solid ground. It is people, who are rejecting the God of heaven and earth, who need to repent.
Peter and John were witnessing Christ to the highest cadre of Jewish leaders. Consider their confidence and courage. There is no hesitancy whatsoever.
Acts 4:8-10 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: (9) If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, (10) let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
This is the model for us in our witnessing. We must not dither and vacillate. We stand on the rock of Jesus. Yes, we cannot do anything on our own but only in the enablement of the Holy Spirit.
Here we see Peter, witnessing to a Gentile audience. Again, we note the assurance of Peter.
Acts 10:36-38 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— (37) that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: (38) how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Even to a Gentile audience, Peter is not giving them any room to question the fact of Jesus. He begins with the unshakeable Jesus. He is making it clear that they must come to Jesus, repent, and be healed and made whole.
Apostle Paul is speaking to the royalty. King Agrippa, along with his wife, and Festus the Governor, were his audience. Did Paul hesitate? Consider the assurance and confidence of Paul, for he stood on the rock of Jesus.
Acts 26:26-29 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. (27) King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” (28) Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (29) And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”_
The church has the model for witnessing Christ.