Two things stand out about Peter’s presentation of the Gospel: First, the focus is fully on Jesus and His identity as God’s promised Messiah, the Christ, with special emphasis on His death, burial and resurrection. Second, the response involves obedience. The climax of Peter’s message is Acts 2:36.
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.
- What does “Christ” mean? It means the anointed leader appointed by God over His people.
- What does “Lord” mean? It means the owner and the master, the one with authority, the one to be obeyed.
The hearers believed Peter’s message. They realized the terrible crime they had committed against God. They also understood the meaning of Lord and Christ. That is why the believing hearers called out, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Since Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord—the One to be obeyed—what would He have us do?