1. Bold Preaching (Acts 2:14-15)

Peter's sermon began with an unshakable boldness. Acts 2:14 states, “But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them…” This wasn’t a moment of mere suggestion or soft-spoken reflection. Peter spoke with authority, urgency, and clarity. His stance communicated conviction, and his voice commanded attention.

Preaching that God uses must be bold. Boldness simply means “all speech” in the Greek. Boldness does not mean being brash, abrasive, or unloving; rather, it reflects a confidence rooted in the truth of God’s Word. Peter’s boldness was grounded in his message, not in himself. He had no hesitation in declaring the truth, even when it was uncomfortable or confrontational. His preaching pierced hearts because he did not shy away from declaring, “This Jesus whom you crucified…” (Acts 2:36).

Pray for preachers today to emulate this boldness, proclaiming the gospel with courage and conviction. The preacher’s task is not to tickle ears or offer vague encouragement (2 Tim. 4:1-5!) —but to speak with clarity and authority, trusting God to work through His Word.

2. Biblical Preaching (Acts 2:16-21, 25-35)

Another mark of Peter’s sermon was its how deeply-rooted it was in Scripture. Peter anchored his message in the Old Testament, quoting from Joel 2, Psalm 16, Psalm 110, and others. He declared, “This is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel…” (Acts 2:16) and proceeded to explain how Christ’s life, death, and resurrection fulfilled God’s promises.

Remember: When the Bible speaks, God speaks.

Preaching that God uses is biblical preaching. It is not centered on human opinions, personal anecdotes, or cultural commentary but on the authoritative Word of God. The preacher’s role is to bring the Scriptures to life—showing their relevance and power in every generation.

As Peter showed, biblical preaching is not merely quoting verses. It involves explaining and applying Scripture in a way that brings clarity and conviction. The Word of God, when proclaimed faithfully, carries its own inherent power. As Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…”

Pray that preachers, but God’s grace and Spirit in love and boldness, unleash the full weight of Scripture, trusting it to convict, comfort, and transform hearts.

3. Christ-Centered Preaching (Acts 2:22-24, 36)

The aim of Peter’s message was unmistakable: Jesus Christ. From His life and miracles to His death, resurrection, and exaltation, Peter’s sermon centered entirely on the person and work of Christ. In Acts 2:22, Peter declared, “Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs…” He went on to proclaim Christ’s crucifixion, emphasizing God’s sovereign plan: “This man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death…” (Acts 2:23). Finally, Peter exalted Christ’s resurrection and ascension, demonstrating His victory and authority.

Preaching that God uses must be unapologetically Christ-centered (1 Cor. 2:1-5). The gospel is not a message of self-improvement, psychology, or moral living—it is the good news of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the salvation of sinners. Pray that every sermon points to Him as the only Savior and Lord.

As Acts 4:12 proclaims, “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

4. Heart-Piercing Preaching (Acts 2:37-38)

The response to Peter’s sermon reveals another crucial element of God-used preaching—it pierces the heart. Acts 2:37 describes the crowd’s reaction: “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’”

The word “pierced” conveys a deep, cutting conviction that drove them to repentance.

Preaching that pierces the heart is not manipulative or emotional for its own sake. Instead, it is the natural outcome of bold, biblical, and Christ-centered preaching. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to convict sinners of their guilt, their need for salvation, and the sufficiency of Christ to save. This kind of preaching does not leave people comfortable in their sin; it calls them to repentance and faith. As Peter urged his listeners, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” (Acts 2:38).

Today, many sermons aim to make people feel good or affirmed. Yet, true gospel preaching must address the seriousness of sin and the reality of God’s wrath. It is only when people see their desperate need that they will cry out, “What shall we do?” The answer remains the same: repent and believe in risen Jesus Christ!

5. Spirit-Empowered Preaching (Acts 2:4, 41)

Finally, the preaching that God uses is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Peter’s boldness, clarity, and effectiveness weren’t natural abilities but the result of the Spirit’s work. Acts 2:4 notes that Peter, along with the other disciples, was filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This divine empowerment enabled Peter to proclaim the gospel with power and to see lives transformed.

Preachers today must rely on the same Holy Spirit. Effective preaching is not about eloquence, charisma, or rhetorical skill. It is about yielding to the Spirit and trusting Him to work through the proclamation of God’s Word. As Jesus promised in Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses…”

The results of Spirit-empowered preaching are undeniable. Acts 2:41 records, “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.” This was not the result of Peter’s abilities but of God’s power working through His Word.

Where does this leave us?

The preaching that God uses is bold, biblical, Christ-centered, heart-piercing, and Spirit-empowered. This kind of preaching changes lives, builds the church, and glorifies God. Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost is a timeless example of what faithful preaching looks like and what it can accomplish.

In a time when many churches have drifted into entertainment, self-help messages, and shallow teaching, we must return to the kind of preaching that prioritizes God’s Word and exalts His Son. Let us pray for preachers around the world who will boldly declare the gospel and for churches that will support and encourage such preaching. May God raise up a new generation of faithful proclaimers who will stand in the tradition of Peter and the apostles, declaring with conviction, “Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).