AN UPPER ROOM OR A ROOFTOP EXPERIENCE? Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70] But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71] And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72] And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73] And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. 50 DAYS LATER Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: ….36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. THIS MORNINGS MESSAGE: WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BE CONVERTED? PETERS SECOND CONVERSION Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you… ✳️PETER HAD FOLLOWED JESUS… NOW JESUS BAPTIZES PETER AFTER PETER’S FIRST CONVERSION HE STRUGGLED WITH FEAR Mark 4:40 Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. AFTER PETERS SECOND CONVERSION HE HAD A BOLDNESS THE SAME MAN WHO ONCE DENIED JESUS BEFORE A SERVANT GIRL NOW STANDS BEFORE THOUSANDS Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 👉NO LONGER HIDING 👉NO LONGER FOLLOWING “AFAR OFF” 👉NO LONGER AFRAID TO BE IDENTIFIED WITH JESUS Acts 4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18] And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2] And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3] And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. …6] And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. Acts 5:18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. [19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20] Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 22] But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23] Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24] Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 25] Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. ——————————— AFTER THE FIRST CONVERSION PETER AVOIDED THE CROSS Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. AFTER THE SECOND CONVERSION HE PREACHES CHRIST CRUCIFIED! Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: The same Peter who had avoided the cross now preaches the cross! THE SAME PETER WHO REBUKED JESUS FOR TALKING ABOUT THE CROSS… NOW PREACHES THE CROSS ———————————- 👉AFTER FIRST CONVERSION PETER STILL DID NOT UNDERSTAND BASIC TEACHINGS Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable (Do you still not understand?) 👉AFTER SECOND CONVERSION PETER SPEAKS AS A THEOLOGIAN Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. THE MAN WHO ONCE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE PARABLES… NOW OPENS JOEL, PSALMS, AND PROPHECY John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth… ———————— AFTER FIRST CONVERSION PETER FAILED PUBLICLY Matthew 26:74] Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. 👉AFTER SECOND CONVERSION HE HELPS SAVE THOUSANDS PUBLICLY Acts 2:38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. …41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. ✳️THE MAN WHO ONCE SANK IN THE WATER… NOW HELPS OTHERS WALK ✳️THE MAN WHO ONCE FEARED SUFFERING… NOW REJOICES IN IT Acts 5:41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. ✳️THE MAN WHO ONCE ARGUED ABOUT BEING THE GREATEST WHO ONCE ASKED WHAT “THIS MAN SHALL DO?” ✴️NOW IS A SHEPHERD… STRENGTHENING THE BRETHREN THE MIRACLES OF SIMON PETER ✳️Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. ✳️Acts 5:15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. ✳️Acts 9:34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise… ✳️Acts 9:40 (raises Dorcas)But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. THE MAN WHO ONCE COULD NOT STAY AWAKE TO PRAY… NOW PRAYS AND THE DEAD ARE RAISED SURELY PETER HAS REACHED HIS FULL CONVERSION…. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Acts 10:9 Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10] And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11] And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. PETER ONCE AGAIN TELLS JESUS “NO” 15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17] Now while Peter doubted in himself (how many doubt ourselves?)what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18] And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19] While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20] Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. …28] And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. …34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ✳️STILL STRUGGLES WITH PREJUDICE ✳️STILL DOES NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL IS FOR THE GENTILES ✳️STILL HAS BOUNDARIES THAT GOD IS ABOUT TO BREAK PENTECOST DID NOT REMOVE ALL OF PETER’S BIAS Because spiritual experiences do not automatically remove every: • prejudice • tradition • insecurity • misunderstanding ✳️THE SAME MAN WHO PREACHED in Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off… …STILL DOES NOT REALIZE HOW FAR “ALL” REALLY GOES SO GOD MUST CONVERT PETER AGAIN… 44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. PETER’S VISION OF THE CHURCH EXPANDED Before Acts 10: • Peter saw mostly Jews. • Peter saw covenant through ethnicity. • Peter saw separation. After Acts 10: • Peter saw nations. • Peter saw kingdom expansion. • Peter saw that God is “no respecter of persons. THIS WAS PETER’S “MISSIONARY CONVERSION” Acts 2 converted Peter into: • a preacher • a miracle worker • a Pentecostal witness Acts 10 converted Peter into: • a kingdom-minded apostle • a missionary thinker • a bridge-builder between peoples Galatians 2:11] But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12] For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13] And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14] But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?