Apologetics/ Defending the Faith
Acts 2:14-21 (NASB77)
14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18 EVEN UPON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy. 19 ‘AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE, AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BENEATH, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. 20 ‘THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME. 21 ‘AND IT SHALL BE, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.’
Importantly, apologetics must be pursued with gentleness and respect, combining intellectual rigor with a Christ-like response. Winning arguments at any cost contradicts apologetics’ true purpose, since argumentative victory achieved through disrespect undermines the gospel’s gracious message. While apologists bear witness to truth, the Holy Spirit’s work—not argumentative skill—ultimately transforms hearts and minds
So on the day of Pentecost the world confronted the disciples outside the Upper Room and confronted them with the falsehood that they were drunk. Acts 2:12-13 (NASB77) 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.”
Note: The accusation of drunkenness was mean, scornful, and also unjustified. Peter confronted the accusation immediately. Why? The answer is because the character of the messenger is vital to the proclamation of the truth.
It makes me wonder if Peter was remembering the words of our Lord when He said, Matthew 5:13 (NASB77) 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Peter is blessed to preach the first sermon in the New Testamont church, after Jesus’ ascension and Pentecost, that is, after the coming of the Holy Spirit. If men would preach what is preached here, what a difference would exist in men’s lives, in the church, and in world history. (If only the pulpit today would stand on the Bible as the Word of God in the power of His HOLY SPIRIT, we would see a mighty change.)
He lifted the thoughts of his listeners to higher ground; he gave an instant explanation to people, remembering these Jewish people in Jerusalem would have known the Scripture quoted So he moved them to higher ground in seeking to understand that what they were seeing was prophecy becoming reality.
Because they knew the Bible, whatever else they lacked of a spiritual nature, they were at least thoroughly inundated with the Bible of the O.T. and this gave his words the ring of Divine authority.
Quoting the Scriptures allowed the Holy Spirit to do the speaking
Peter stands and uses Scripture to refute the misconceptions they had about the moving of God in the world that so needed the cure for sin. Which was theirs for the asking.
Importantly, Jesus was not unknown to the Jews who were listening to Peter. They had witnessed his miracles, wonders, and signs. Acts 2:22 (NASB77) 22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know– It is personal and we have accountability for our choices.
Acts 2:23 (NASB77) 23 this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. In these words we see both divine sovereignty and human responsibility in action. God had a sovereign plan to sacrifice His Only Begotten Son for sinners, but that did not absolve these free moral agents of their sinful actions. We have to choose the gift of salvation, out of our freewill.
It is only by and in the power of the Holy Spirit of God we are saved by calling on the name of Jesus and now Bro. Paul the Jew of Jews says in Romans 10:13 (NASB77) 13 for ” WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
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