I believe one of the keys to the success of the early church was that there was Powerful Preaching.  Peter spoke with authority!  Here is a man just over a month before was denying Christ and running away, but now after the Holy Spirit had come upon him, he was bold and authorative!  In Acts 2 as he was preaching, he included phrases like this: "heed my words" (2:14), "hear these words,"(2:22) "speak freely" (2:29).  Oh, wouldn't it be great if the preachers would take back the pulpit God has given them to preach from?  Many pastors and preachers tread lightly so as not to offend people. We fear being misunderstood, rejected, or even attacked for our values.  When a preacher preaches he must not be afraid of what the hearers will think, feel, or respond but rather the preacher needs to have enough integrity and courage to preach the truth in love and let the chips fall where they may.  Jesus is a "rock of offense" (I Peter 2:8) to those who are disobedient.  The word of God offends the sinner.  The Bible is like a "mirror" described in James 1.  The mirror merely reflects what is in front of it.  If beauty is standing in front of the mirror it wil reflect beauty.  If ugliness is standing in front of the mirror then it will reflect ugliiness.  It is the same with the Scripture.  The word of God merely points out things that need correction in our lives, while it also affirms us in the areas that we are doing well.   The preacher can not back down from the truth regardless of the consequences.  Peter knew what he was facing a very hostile crowd, with a not so pleasant message. Peter accused them of murdering not only an innocent man, but the very Messiah they were expecting.    

Not only did Peter preach with Authority but he preached the Resurrection of Christ!
The resurrection is central to the gospel message!  I Cor 15 tells us that the simple gospel is that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day and he was wintessed by over 500 people.  Romans 10 tells us that in order to be "saved" we must believe that God has raised Christ from the dead.  We have a great message to share with the world!  Not only did Jesus die on a cross for our sins and for our redemption, but He is alive thus conquering man's two greatest enemies, death and the grave!   Peter said something that just jumped off the page to me. 

Not only were Peter and the disciples  witnesses of the resurrection, YOU AND I ARE AS WELL!   Technically, physically speaking we were not there for we hadn't been born as of yet, but if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and you are born again you are a witness of the resurrection!  Becasue Jesus comes to live in you through the person of the Holy Spirit. When I was a kid we used to sing this hymn (how I miss the hymns) the lyrics said, "you ask me how I know He lives?  He lives within my heart!"  For those of you  who have experienced his resurrection power in your life, you know what I am talking about!  Jesus is alive and that gives hope to man kind!  God provided redemption through the blood shed on the cross, and God provided victory over death and the grave through the resurrection.   If we were to walk into some churches today, I wonder if a lost person would not know that we are celebrating the resurrection of our Lord when we gather?  The New Testament church has power!  Resurrection Power!

Peter preached repentance.  Repentance basically means to turn around and change directions.  A change of heart, a change of mind, a change of behavior. Peter called for "repentance" "Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and yo shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  Acts 2:38
There are all kinds of controversies in this verse, but what I want to focus on here is the fact that Peter called for action!  He called for repentance!  He called on them to be identified with Christ through baptism. As people of God, we need to challenge others not to remain in their same old sinful conditon, but to make the effort and change.  Jesus doesn't expect us to be perfect before we can come to HIm, He expects us to come to HIm period, and He will change us from the inside out!  All He really expects us to do is to change our attitude about Him, about ourselves, about sin so He can clean us up and make us Holy as He is holy.   We used to joke about this, but we would sing the Hymn "Just as I am" for an ivitiation and we would leave just as we were!  God is about change and He wants and expects His people to change.  The early church had the fear and reverence of God and was serious about living for HIm in word and in deed!  We need to recover that zeal in the 21st century church!  

Finally we see Peter preaching through the power of the Holy Spirit.  When He was filled He was changed!  Preaching without the power of the Holy Spirit is like trying to run a vaccum cleaner without having the power turned on.   Our flesh will accomplish very little.  Our own efforts, no matter how well prepared, or relevant they might be, without the Holy Spirit's power and influence won't accomplish very much.  But, as you can see with Peter, when he preached 3,000 souls were added in one day!  What a difference the Holy Spirit can make!

We will pick up on this later as we continue.  Thank you, for taking time to read this, and remember you don't have to be a "preacher" to preach the good news of the gospel.  Just keep talking about Jesus to others and you will see amazing results!
 
God Bless You,
Brother Todd