Peter’s sermon provides an impressive illustration of God’s transformative power in everyday people. He uses Cornelius’ story to demonstrate that His grace applies equally to all, not just Jews.
Peter’s message paints God’s work through Jesus as assured and reliable; its results cannot be altered by human ignorance or conflict with His will.
1. Peter’s Introduction
Scholars have often seen 1 Peter as a sermon intended for use at baptismal services or similar events. Peter discusses various themes that could have been preached at such services or events, with much of his letter focused on persecution and how Christians should respond. Peter wrote to scattered churches facing significant trials at that time – issues with which Christians continue to wrestle today.
The first section provides general encouragement to remain strong in faith (2:1-13). Paul begins by reminding them that they are God’s beloved people saved by grace – this gives them confidence when facing trials and suffering while also emphasizing His divine sovereignty, which allows them to remain resilient when facing danger.
Peter then explains that knowing God leads to life and godliness (2:14-23). He encourages believers to live holy lives in every aspect, loving one another as passionately as they worship Christ – warning against succumbing to temptation.
Peter explains that history’s end is near (3:1-18). He urges them not to become discouraged or disheartened during their suffering as it will only bring destruction for enemies and glory for God’s people if they persevere.
Peter concludes by encouraging his readers to continue with their work (5:1-11). He first addresses the elders, then the congregation as a whole – reminding them to be faithful shepherds while forgoing all malicious behaviors and turning towards God alone for strength against supernatural enemies that cannot be defeated with mere human might.
2. Peter’s Conclusions
Peter concludes his sermon by encouraging those present to be baptized in the name of this One whom he calls “God’s servant Jesus.” By doing this, Peter draws attention to God’s full manifestation in this man and emphasizes salvation not just through believing but by living according to your beliefs – something not familiar from anything they had known previously and cutting the cord with Judaism and its rich traditions that they held so dear and accepting Jesus Christ instead as their Messiah.
Peter does not mince words here and is unequivocal in his condemnation of those who did not believe in Christ and who killed Him yet still thought He would return from death by God’s power. He presents all evidence against these individuals, thus making this sermon Peter’s harshest condemnation yet.
He reminds them of God’s plan from before the creation of the world to save sinners through Jesus’s death and resurrection, offering eternal death as punishment unless they accept His salvation through faith in Him. But if they turn toward Him, He can save them.
Therefore, God’s people should live with joy and purity as He has shown them. They should serve their neighbors and civic authorities with dignity, be kind even to their enemies, show kindness when necessary, and bless others instead of returning evil for evil. Above all else, they should remember they are His chosen ones with a glorious future promised them via Abraham’s covenant promises.
3. Peter’s Appeal to Witnesses
Peter began his second sermon by emphasizing how salvation from sin can be permanent, secure, joyful, and anticipated. Then, he urged his listeners to practice holiness to disarm any persecutors they might face.
Peter frequently emphasizes the role of witnesses in his sermons. These witnesses appear at different points throughout each message he presents, yet are always integral components. This is especially evident during sermon three when Peter appeals directly to them as witnesses.
This sermon was directed toward Jewish Christians who were being unjustly persecuted for communicating the message that their sufferings were part of a larger plan to bring victory and glory for God’s people (4:16). Additionally, it stressed the necessity of living according to His will which would result in holy living (5:12).
Peter used Jesus’ exaltation testimony as proof that he possessed authority over a lame man (2:30-3:3). Peter depicted Jesus as one to be obeyed, likening Him to a shepherd leading and caring for his sheep, the cornerstone of the church and Prince of Life; this served to remind his readers that Jesus has all authority from his Father to judge both living people as well as dead ones.
Peter warned his listeners that their lives could be an example of Christianity. He encouraged them to live according to integrity to put those who malign them to shame by their conduct (3:16). For the Jews, the word “shame” held special meaning; this term had special significance as they had responded to Old Testament prophets calling for repentance from idolatry by turning away from idols or engaging in idolatrous practices such as idol worship.
4. Peter’s Appeal to the Lame Man
Peter brings this lame man to a place where he can stand up on his own and demonstrate God’s healing of him. While Scripture does not name this man specifically, his disability had prevented him from walking or running unaided from birth and required others to transport him from place to place each day, including entering Jerusalem’s gate for temple worship services.
Peter and John brought him in, and after that, he was astounded to see that his eyesight had wholly restored itself. Crying out to Jesus, asking what they should do now, Peter asked him to stand up and walk (Acts 3:3) before taking him by the right hand and lifting him by telling him it was through Jesus Christ who had healed them. Peter later informed his patient of Jesus Christ’s power, which enabled such healings to happen.
Jewish leaders were stunned when they heard this miraculous news; their reaction became even more significant when they witnessed this lame man standing before them as an entirely healthy individual. These Jewish leaders then asked Peter and John whether this transformation had occurred through their power or some outside force.
Peter’s response is characteristic of what would later become his Pentecost sermon: he refers to Old Testament Scriptures that foretell Jesus being Messiah and then uses their testimony against them as proof that Jesus indeed was. Here, he turns on them instead, not setting himself against them like at Pentecost but against themselves instead, insisting that all prophets from Samuel to those alive today spoke of this day – emphasizing this miracle as evidence that these days have come.
5. Peter’s Appeal to the Lame Man
Peter and John encounter a lame man while visiting the temple and heal him. After this incident, they address a crowd that has gathered to explain what took place and explain that just like this man’s body had been restored and could once more usually walk again, having faith in Jesus can provide freedom from sinful thoughts, actions, beliefs, and behaviors – just like this man had experienced physical healing through faith alone.
People were amazed and worshiped God, yet some doubted his healing power. Peter reminded them that this healing wasn’t simply miraculous but also evidence of His strength to save. He gave them an overview of what they had heard in the Old Testament about this powerful God.
Peter pointed to Jesus’ words and actions to show He fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. He reminded them of God’s promise to David that one of his descendants would take up the throne and then be raised from death – Jesus being such an individual! Peter further highlighted Jesus as one such descendant from David who had already taken up this responsibility by being raised from death, now sitting right alongside His Heavenly Father at His right hand in heaven.
Peter expanded upon themes from his Pentecost sermon by drawing an analogy between this man’s healing and their need for Jesus. He reminded them that their ancestors trusted in Him who raised Jesus from death as the “Author of Life,” so now this individual stands before them whole because they believed and trusted in him as Savior from sin (3:13-15).
Peter’s central theme in all five sermons was this: God has saved us through Jesus Christ’s death, resurrection, and exaltation – which can be found by anyone calling out his name.
