Are You a Person God Can Use?

In the Bible, few figures exemplify the transformative power of God’s grace as vividly as the Apostle Peter. From his humble beginnings as a Galilean fisherman to his pivotal role in the early Church, Peter’s journey is a testament to how God can employ ordinary, even flawed, individuals to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost is central to this transformation, recorded in the book of Acts 2:14-36, where he boldly proclaims the Gospel to a diverse audience, leading thousands to faith in Jesus Christ. This passage highlights Peter’s spiritual growth and serves as a theological model for understanding the qualities that render a person usable by God. From an evangelical perspective, this question—“Are you a person God can use?”—resonates deeply, inviting believers to reflect on their own capacity for divine service. In this blog post, we will explore Peter’s example through a detailed exegesis of Acts 2:14-36, supported by associated scriptures from the Bible, to discern the characteristics God cultivates in those He calls. Through this analysis, we aim to provide a theological examination that bridges Peter’s experience with Christian life, affirming that God’s grace equips all who surrender to His will.

Peter’s Journey from Fisherman to Apostle

Peter’s story begins with his calling by Jesus, a moment that redefined his identity and purpose. As recorded in the book of Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV), “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” This immediate response underscores Peter’s willingness to abandon his former life for discipleship, a foundational usability trait in God’s service. Yet, Peter was far from perfect. His impulsive nature surfaced when he boldly confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, ESV), a declaration that Jesus affirmed as divinely revealed (Matthew 16:17). However, this same impulsiveness led to his rebuke when he opposed Jesus’ prediction of suffering (Matthew 16:22-23).

Peter’s most glaring failure came during Jesus’ arrest, when he denied knowing his Lord three times, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times” (Matthew 26:75, ESV). The text notes that “he went out and wept bitterly,” revealing a heart capable of remorse—a critical step toward restoration. Following the resurrection, Jesus tenderly restored Peter, asking three times, “Do you love me?” and commissioning him to “feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17, ESV). This restoration reached its fruition at Pentecost, when, filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter preached with power, leading to the salvation of about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41). Peter’s journey—from fisherman to denier to restored Apostle—illustrates that God uses those who, despite their weaknesses, repent and yield to His transformative grace.

Exegetical Analysis of Acts 2:14-36

Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, delivered in the wake of the Holy Spirit’s descent (Acts 2:1-4), is a pivotal moment in the book of Acts, showcasing his transformation and the qualities God employs for His purposes. Below, we analyze Acts 2:14-36 in five key sections, drawing out scripture-supported theological insights.

Boldness and Clarity in Proclamation (Acts 2:14-15)

The sermon begins with Peter taking a stand: “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day’” (Acts 2:14-15, ESV). The Greek phrase epērthē tē phōnē (“lifted up his voice”) conveys not just volume but authority, marking a stark contrast to the Peter who cowered in fear during Jesus’ trial. This boldness, absent in his earlier denials, emerges post-Pentecost as a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Peter’s clarity in refuting the crowd’s mockery—“these people are not drunk”—redirects their focus to the divine significance of the moment. This quality of bold proclamation is later affirmed in the book of Acts 4:13 (ESV): “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished, and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” God uses those who, transformed by His presence, speak truth with courage and precision.

The Empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:16-21)

Peter then interprets the events through scripture, quoting the book of Joel 2:28-32: “But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy… And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’” (Acts 2:16-21, ESV). The Greek verb ekcheō (“pour out”) emphasizes the abundance of the Spirit’s outpouring, a shift from the selective anointing of the Old Covenant to the universal empowerment of the New. This fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy, initiated at Pentecost, underscores that God equips His servants through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. Jesus had promised this power in the book of Acts 1:8 (ESV): “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.” Peter’s Spirit-filled preaching illustrates that divine usability hinges on this pneumatic empowerment, available to all believers who call on Christ.

Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:22-24)

Peter shifts focus to Jesus: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs… you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:22-24, ESV). Here, Peter articulates the Gospel’s core—Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection—within God’s hōrismenē boulē (“determined purpose”). His unflinching accusation—“you crucified”—paired with the triumphant declaration of resurrection, reflects a profound grasp of soteriological truth. This aligns with the book of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV): “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures… he was raised on the third day.” Peter’s ability to proclaim this message, rooted in eyewitness experience, demonstrates that God uses those who center their lives on the Gospel, offering conviction and hope.

Scriptural Foundation and Application (Acts 2:25-28)

Drawing from the book of Psalm 16:8-11, Peter explains the resurrection: “For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me… you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption’” (Acts 2:25-28, ESV). Peter’s Christological interpretation reveals a robust scriptural foundation by applying David’s words to Jesus. The term diaphthora (“corruption”) underscores Jesus’ bodily resurrection, a truth Peter leverages to affirm God’s power over death. This aligns with the book of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable… that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Peter’s sermon exemplifies how God uses those steeped in scripture, wielding it to illuminate Christ’s identity and mission.

Conviction and Witness to the Resurrection (Acts 2:29-36)

Peter concludes with a powerful assertion: “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses… Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:32, 36, ESV). The titles kurion (“Lord”) and Christon (“Christ”) affirm Jesus’ divine authority and messianic fulfillment, rooted in Peter’s firsthand testimony (Acts 1:22). His conviction transforms the crowd, as seen in Acts 2:37: “they were cut to the heart.” This witness-bearing role echoes the book of Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV), where God exalts Jesus, ensuring every knee will bow. Peter’s resolute faith demonstrates that God uses those who testify to the resurrection with unwavering certainty.

Theological Discussion

Peter’s sermon reveals five qualities that render a person usable by God: boldness, Spirit-empowerment, Gospel-centeredness, scriptural grounding, and resurrection witness. These are not exclusive to Apostles but are accessible to all believers through the Holy Spirit. Theologically, this aligns with pneumatology, which holds that the Spirit equips every Christian for service (Ephesians 4:12). Peter’s transformation debunks the notion that perfection or formal education is prerequisite; instead, surrender to God’s grace is paramount. As John Stott notes, “The Spirit’s fullness does not impair self-control but enhances it,” countering misconceptions of spiritual excess. Similarly, F.F. Bruce observes that Peter’s use of scripture reflects “a mind saturated with the Old Testament, now illuminated by the risen Christ.” These qualities—evident in Peter—apply to the Church today, where God employs ordinary believers who repent, rely on the Spirit, and proclaim Christ faithfully.

Objections might arise: Must one preach to thousands to be used by God? Peter’s example clarifies that usability is not about scale but fidelity to God’s call, whether in public proclamation or private witness. The book of 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) reinforces this: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Thus, any believer, regardless of past failures, can become a vessel for God’s purposes when aligned with these Biblical principles.

Conclusion

Peter’s journey and his sermon in Acts 2:14-36 affirm that God can use anyone willing to be transformed by His Spirit. From a faltering disciple to a fearless preacher, Peter exemplifies how repentance, Spirit-filled empowerment, Gospel focus, scriptural knowledge, and resurrection witness equip believers for divine service. These qualities invite us to examine our own lives: Have we surrendered to God’s plan, trusting His grace to overcome our weaknesses? As the book of 2 Timothy 2:21 (ESV) declares, “If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” Like Peter, may we rise to the call, becoming people God can use for His glory.