Bible Passage: Acts 2:36-41

1. God appointed Jesus to be the Lord and Messiah (verse 36)

2. Background for the title “Lord”

(a) In the Old Testament, translators use “LORD” for “YHWH,” the name with which God introduced Himself to Moses
(b) The Jews regarded the name “YHWH” so holy that they would not pronounce it, but instead they read the name as Adonai—translated as the “Lord”
(c) Adonai refers to God—the one who is the exclusive holder of power over the cosmos and all men, the Creator of the world and the Master of life and death
(c1) Psalm 97:5: Lord of the whole earth
(c2) Psalm 136:3: the Lord of lords
(c3) Joshua 3:11: Ruler of the whole earth
(c4) Isaiah 3:1: Sovereign Lord
(c5) Micah 4:13: Ruler of the whole earth

3. At the climax of his sermon, Peter calls Jesus “the Lord”

(a) The title “Lord” identifies Jesus with YHWH in the Old Testament
(b) Paul expands the title “Lord” in Ephesians 1:21-22
(b1) Above all authority, power, and dominion—cosmic superiority
(b2) Above every name that is named (past, present, and future)—Sovereign (cf. Phil 2:9-11)
(b3) Everything under His feet—Almighty
(b4) Head over all things—the beneficiary is the Church

4. The scope of Jesus’ Resurrected office

(a) Forgiveness of sins
(b) Gift of the Holy Spirit
(c) The offer of forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit is for every one who calls on the name of the Lord (cf. Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved)

5. How did the Jews respond to Peter’s sermon?

(a) Baptized
(b) Joined the local church

Take Away

Call on the name of the Lord