{"id":28723,"date":"2022-07-29T00:00:14","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T06:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=28723"},"modified":"2023-08-29T11:33:34","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:33:34","slug":"crowing-the-apostles-doctrine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/crowing-the-apostles-doctrine\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Crowing\u2019 the Apostles\u2019 Doctrine"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was beyond chaotic. Crowds had gathered at night around the central courthouse and watched as the government condemned the Man. Such a trial was against the law of the land, but circumstances were so threatening to the government, the leaders believed they needed to try this Man.<\/p>\n

Without any counsel presented for the defense, they proceeded to mock and deride Him. His crimes were considered so outrageous that only the death penalty would suffice. Up until that very day, throngs had shouted His glory and triumph. Then those same people turned against Him.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, this isn\u2019t the end of the story. As we\u2019ll see from Scripture, one of the men closest to Jesus would fail Him in His darkest hour. But his turnaround encourages us to spread the gospel, no matter our weaknesses.<\/p>\n

Peter denies<\/h2>\n

Earlier that evening, one of His young followers had sworn allegiance to Him. This same man lost faith when he saw and heard the crowds of mockers, and he watched as they beat and whipped his friend. The disciple was even ashamed and afraid as the government put Him on trial.<\/p>\n

Peter turned cowardly \u2014 chicken. Jesus had told him, \u201cI tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me\u201d (Luke 22:34). Later in the evening, however, after witnessing the trial and mockery of God in the flesh, Peter denied Jesus for a third time. Then he heard the rooster crow. \u201cSo Peter went out and wept bitterly\u201d (vv. 54-62). He repented!<\/p>\n

Peter waits<\/h2>\n

It was a long and heart-wrenching fifty days after the murder of Jesus. Much had happened since Peter had \u201cgone chicken.\u201d Jesus was crucified. He lay in the grave for three days and three nights, then was resurrected and glorified to God. He had become our ultimate sacrifice for our eternal salvation (Hebrews 9:11-15).<\/p>\n

Peter and the other disciples spent forty days with Jesus after His resurrection, learning all things about the kingdom of God. They were commanded to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit to come upon them (Acts 1:3, 4, 8).<\/p>\n

Peter preaches<\/h2>\n

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples waited together in Jerusalem, and miracles of God began to happen. A mighty wind rushed into the house where they were gathered, and divided tongues of fire sat on the head of each disciple. At that moment, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (2:1-4). Joel had prophesied this event long before, and now the Spirit of God was being poured out on all humanity (vv.\u202f16-21). Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter changed. Just fifty days before, he lost faith and became a chicken in his heart.<\/p>\n

But Peter became the rooster that day. He crowed and awakened Jerusalem. Standing up with the Eleven, he raised his voice and gave the greatest sermon of his life. What Peter preached became known to the first century church of God as the \u201capostles\u2019 doctrine\u201d (v. 42).<\/p>\n

Peter\u2019s message<\/h2>\n

The message Peter gave on that first new covenant Pentecost is the same message we must crow about today. In reviewing his sermon in Acts 2:14-36, we see the apostles\u2019 doctrine spelled out for us, step by step:<\/p>\n