It was beyond chaotic. Crowds of people had gathered around the central courthouse and watched as the government condemned the man. It was night and against the law of the land, but circumstances were so threatening to the government they believed they needed to try this man. Without any council presented for the defense, they proceeded to mock and deride him. His crimes were considered so outrageous that only the death penalty would suffice. Until that very day, throngs of people had shouted His glory and triumph and then these same people turned against Him.
Earlier that evening one of His young followers had sworn allegiance to Him. This same young man lost faith when he saw and heard the crowds of mockers and watched as they beat and whipped His friend. Even this young disciple was ashamed and afraid as the government put Him on trial. Peter had turned chicken. Jesus had told him, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” (Luke 22:34 All verses are NKJV unless otherwise specified). Later in the evening, after witnessing the trial and mockery of God in the flesh, Peter denied Jesus for a third time. Then Peter heard the rooster crow again. “So, he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:54-62). Peter repented!
It was a long and heart wrenching 50 days after the murder of Jesus. Much had happened since Peter had gone “chicken”. Jesus was crucified, He laid in the grave for three day and three nights. He was then resurrected and glorified to God. He had become our ultimate sacrifice for our eternal salvation. (Heb. 9:11-15). The disciples then spent 40 days with Jesus learning all things about the Kingdom of God after Jesus’s resurrection. The disciples were commanded them to wait in Jerusalem to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit to be put upon them. (Acts 1:3-4,8).
On Pentecost day, as we read in Acts 2:1-4, the disciples waited together in Jerusalem and the miracles of God began to happen. Into the household where they were gathered, rushed a mighty wind and divided tongues as of fire sat on the head of each disciple. At that moment, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The prophet Joel had prophesied this event and the Spirit of God began to be poured out on mankind. (Joel 2:28-29). Being filled with the Holy Spirit a change came over Peter, who just 50 days before had lost faith and become a chicken in his heart.
Now, filled with the Spirit of God, Peter became the rooster who crowed and woke up the audience of Jerusalem. Standing up with the eleven he raised his voice and gave the greatest sermon of his apostolic career. Peter crowed out, like a rooster, what became known to the first century Church of God as the Apostle’s doctrine (Acts 2:42).
Peter’s message on this first New Covenant Pentecost is the same message we need to crow and shout out today. In reviewing his sermon, we find the Apostle’s doctrine spelled out for us to follow step by step. His sermon message to those of his day and our day is found in Acts 2:14-36. Peter outlines the following for us:
-He puts Christ into the historical and cultural context of his day.
-Jesus is LORD and Messiah and His kingdom is coming.
-The Holy Spirit has come and guides the Church of God.
-The Holy Spirit is introduced to all peoples for spiritual salvation through Jesus, as we repent and are baptized for the remission of sins.
-The world now has access to spiritual salvation through Jesus our savior and not just the national salvation of Israel.
What a remarkable Holy Spirit turn around for the apostle Peter. On this day, 3,000 people repented, were baptized and received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42). Peter, from chicken to Rooster had crowed the gospel of God. Jesus Christ, Him crucified and raised after three days and three nights to God’s glory for the propitiation of OUR sins, for our salvation.
This same message of the apostle’s doctrine is repeated over and over again throughout the New Testament. Peter, James, John, the deacon Stephen and Paul continued to give a version of this original sermon.
Peter, now crowing like a rooster repeats the message to the rulers of Judea in Acts 4:8-12. Stephen preached it in Acts seven and was killed for it. This exact same message of salvation only through Jesus is repeated for the new gentile converts in Acts 10:34-48.
Paul said, For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and that He was seen by Cephas…” (I Cor. 15:3-5a). Paul was repeating the apostle’s doctrine of Acts 2:42. At the very end of his physical life, about 35 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, Paul ended his apostolic time on earth “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the LORD Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him (Acts 28:31).
The apostles and leaders of the first Century Church of God shouted out the gospel of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. Let us all shout and crow the gospel message of Jesus Christ crucified, risen from the dead for our salvation to all mankind. Let us all have the faith from the Holy Spirit to change from chicken to rooster and tell the world about the wonderful coming King of the earth, Jesus our LORD and savior!
Mike Wallace
Colorado Springs Senior Spiritual Advisor
COG7 Montana Coordinator
