Peter gets a lot of guff. He’s often referred to as “impetuous Peter” . . . many are quick to point out that he was more of a “ready, fire, aim” guy than a “ready, aim, fire” guy. Quick to speak . . . slow to think . . . ready to talk the talk . . . sometimes coming up short on walking the walk. And it goes on. But, if you’re going to give credit where credit is due, you’ve got to admit he comes through, big time, in Acts 2.

The place is packed with “devout men from every nation under heaven” (2:5). They’ve come in response to the report of “tongues of fire” descending upon the place . . . they’ve come to check out the sound of heaven, “a mighty rushing wind,” and have found a multitude speaking “in other tongues” as the Spirit has given them utterance (2:1-3). There’s a general confusion among the crowd as some are in wonder that they can hear their native tongue being spoken . . . others, overwhelmed by the cacophony of sound, concluding that the crowd of speakers has been tipping back one too many and are drunk. Amidst what feels like a bit of a chaotic situation, Peter stands up on his feet . . . and lifts up his voice (2:14). Oh, oh . . . is there going to be another “open mouth, insert foot” moment for Peter? Not so much.

In his first public sermon, Peter, enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit of God, nails it!

Clearly . . . directly . . . confidently . . . scripturally . . . Peter declares that what is happening in their midst is the beginning of the fulfillment of that foretold by Joel the prophet . . . that these signs would appear before the “great and magnificent day” of the Lord . . . and that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” . . . and that Jesus — the One they crucified . . . the One God raised up from the dead . . . the One David foresaw . . . the One now seated at the right hand of God . . . — this Jesus, God has made both Lord and Christ. Bam!

And many, when they hear “impetuous Peter” speak, are “cut to the heart” . . . “What shall we do?” (2:37)

“Repent,” declares Peter, “and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

Peter the fickle fisherman, through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, is now Peter the powerful preacher. But preaching is only part of the deal . . . being cut to the heart by a powerful message is only the beginning of response. What grabbed me this morning was what I read next . . .

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:41 ESV)

Three thousand mixed Peter’s message with a bit of faith and they received the word. The seed had faithfully and powerfully been sown by this “new and improved” Peter . . . but without soil to envelope the seed, it is trampled on or devoured by the birds of the air (Luke 2:5). But this seed found good soil . . . the fertile ground of believing hearts . . . the stuff that produces strong roots as it is ready to respond to the Spirit’s illumination of the Scripture. Peter could preach it . . . but unless they received it . . .

And it occurs to me that the same dynamic is available to me each morning . . . presented to me every Sunday . . . ready to engage me anytime the Word of God is opened before me. God breathed . . . Spirit conveyed . . . presented in order to be received. Mine is to accept it . . . believe it . . . and respond to it.

Oh, that I might not miss the opportunities to cry, “Preach it!”. And, more importantly, might I not miss the invitation to receive it.

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .