In Acts 2, Peter delivers a famous sermon on the day of Pentecost. Perhaps we are most familiar with the end of this sermon when Peter exhorts the audience before him to repent and be baptized to receive forgiveness (Acts 2:38). Leading up to this exhortation, however, Peter creates an argument that builds off Old Testament scriptures to help the people understand the state they were in: they were sinners in need of salvation.
The first passage Peter quotes is found in Joel 2:28-32. Why did he choose this passage in particular? First, because this passage includes a prophetic reference to the pouring out of God’s Spirit onto mankind. Just a few moments ago, God poured out His Spirit in a similar way upon the apostles, giving them the ability to speak in tongues so that all who were present could speak in their own language. Second, this particular passage discusses a topic that everyone in the audience needed to hear about: the coming judgment.
Acts 2:20 says, “The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the LORD shall come.” The term “Day of the Lord” can be used and interpreted in many ways. It refers to a time when God would come and act in some sort of judgment. While this judgment sounds violent and terrifying, there is also a way of salvation available: “whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” What does it mean to call on the name of the Lord?
Peter goes on to show that this “Lord” is actually Jesus, the very man they put to death! He was killed by the people, but God raised Him from death, “since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power,” (Acts 2:24). This argument that Jesus is Lord is further upheld by the following scripture Peter quotes from Psalm 2. Finally, Peter concludes in verse 36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” This causes the listeners to be “pierced to the heart” and prompts the famous question of the people, “What shall we do?” Peter goes on to explain that the way of salvation is by repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus (2:38).
What is the point of the sermon? There is a judgment coming. These people had killed their own Lord and God, Yahweh from heaven. However, things did not have to stay so bleak because God has provided a way through Jesus. They could now call on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, by coming to Him through baptism and receive forgiveness and salvation from judgment.
To those who have been saved, judgment is a wonderful and hopeful thing, leading to life with our Father in heaven forever. For the unrighteous, judgment is a horrible and terrifying thought. Many are drawn to the idea of God’s mercy only. They desire the peace, fulfillment, and forgiveness that come from a relationship with God. While we praise God for His goodness and mercy, we ought never forget the complete character of God. Our God is also a God of judgment. He is holy, just, and cannot be around sin. While the fear of judgment should not remain the primary driver for a Christian’s relationship with God, the need for salvation from punishment is a helpful and necessary message to those who are lost and dying.
Our God is both wrathful at sin yet gentle with sinners, just yet caring, full of judgment yet loving. How can this be? All these aspects of God are key to His perfect and holy being. His wrath, justice, and judgment, along with his care, gentleness, and love, come together in His mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Ultimately, this was shown through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The idea of judgment is not something we should shy away from. The judgment day of the Lord is coming. This is a sobering message we ought to humbly recognize and teach to others. It is, however, not without hope. Whoever calls on the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has been raised from the dead, shall be saved.
—Joshua Brown