In verse 22 of Acts chapter 2 Peter introduces the subject of his sermon—Jesus of Nazareth. Concerning Jesus, he proceeds to present several indisputable facts. Among these facts are: 1) God showed His approval of Him by enabling Him to perform miracles, wonders, and signs (22); 2) Wicked men crucified Him (23); 3) God raised Him (24). Peter then corroborates the facts by quoting David (Psalm 16:8-11; 110:1) and explaining that his prophecy was not about himself, but the coming Messiah. He then brings his sermon to a close with these words: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

Peter was not ambiguous in his conclusion about two definite things: 1) God made the same Jesus who had been crucified both Lord and Christ; and 2) The very people he was addressing were guilty of the murder of the son of God! These unambiguous affirmations hit the mark for which Peter aimed. The people were pierced to the deepest recesses of their very being and were moved to action (37-47). There was no uncertainty, no doubt.

If we want our preaching to be like that of Pentecost, it must be definite. “Possibly” must be converted to “certainly.” Preaching that always poses problems, questions, dilemmas, and the indefinite without answering them always breeds infidelity, doubt, subjectivism, and humanism. Preaching that draws no conclusions leaves even faithful Christians wondering if they are even saved. John wrote, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13). If John and the other inspired writers wrote the words that let the world know for certain what to believe in order to have eternal life, surely we must faithfully and definitively proclaim those words so that people might know and be reassured.

Preacher friend, if you think no one is listening to what you are saying, perhaps you would do well to examine your preaching. Are you with love (Ephesians 4:15) speaking the truth that is unambiguous, definitive, and conclusive, and that calls people to act? Peter had preached the facts of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection in Acts 2:14-35. It was not until verse 36 that he brought it home. Jesus is Lord and Christ and you murdered Him! Though unspoken, the logical conclusion is, “Now what are you going to do about it?” Three thousand souls on the day of Pentecost realized the force of Peter’s plain preaching. May God help us to move more to obedience today in this same way.