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Introduction:
Peter's Address, often referred to as Peter's Sermon, is a significant event in the New Testament, primarily recorded in the Book of Acts. This address marks a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, as it represents the first public proclamation of the Gospel following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Delivered on the day of Pentecost, Peter's Address is a foundational text for understanding the early church's theology, mission, and the role of the Holy Spirit.

Context:
The setting for Peter's Address is Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of Pentecost, a time when Jews from various regions gathered in the city. The apostles, along with other followers of Jesus, were gathered in one place when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, enabling them to speak in various languages. This miraculous event drew a large crowd, perplexed and curious about the phenomenon they were witnessing.

Content of the Address:
Peter, standing with the eleven apostles, addressed the crowd to explain the significance of the events they were witnessing. He began by refuting the accusation that the apostles were drunk, stating, "These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only the third hour of the day!" (Acts 2:15). He then proceeded to interpret the event as the fulfillment of the prophecy from the Book of Joel, which foretold the outpouring of the Spirit in the last days (Acts 2:16-21).

Peter's Address is structured around several key themes:

1.Fulfillment of Prophecy:
Peter emphasizes that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. He quotesJoel 2:28-32, highlighting that God promised to pour out His Spirit on all people, enabling them to prophesy, see visions, and dream dreams.

2.Jesus as the Messiah:
Central to Peter's message is the declaration that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah. He recounts Jesus' life, ministry, and miracles, affirming that these were attested by God. Peter boldly proclaims, "This Jesus, delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, you nailed to a cross by the hands of the lawless, and put Him to death" (Acts 2:23).

3.Resurrection and Exaltation:
Peter asserts the resurrection of Jesus as a pivotal event, citingPsalm 16:8-11 to demonstrate that David foresaw the resurrection of the Messiah. He declares, "God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32). Furthermore, Peter explains that Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God and has poured out the Holy Spirit, as the crowd has witnessed.

4.Call to Repentance:
Concluding his address, Peter calls the people to repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, promising that they too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He urges, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

Impact:
Peter's Address had a profound impact on the listeners, resulting in the conversion and baptism of about three thousand people that day (Acts 2:41). This event marks the birth of the Christian church and the beginning of its mission to spread the Gospel to all nations. The address serves as a model for apostolic preaching, emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecy, the centrality of Christ's death and resurrection, and the call to repentance and faith.

Theological Significance:
Peter's Address underscores the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. It highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for witness and ministry. The address also establishes the foundational Christian doctrines of the resurrection, the exaltation of Christ, and the necessity of repentance and baptism for salvation.