John Kilgallen, «‘With many other words’ (Acts 2,40): Theological Assumptions in Peter’s Pentecost Speech», Vol. 83 (2002) 71-87

The complete effectiveness of Peter’s Pentecost speech implies that the Lucan audience, if not that of Peter, knows at least three assumptions that are needed to make the speech as logically convincing as possible. These three assumptions are: (1) that Jesus is physically Son of David; (2) that the kyrios of Ps 110,1 is the Messiah; (3) that only the titles ‘Son’ and ‘Father’ should be used when describing that it is Jesus who poured out the Spirit. As for Peter’s audience, the fact that Peter supported his speech with ‘many other words (arguments)’ might argue that his audience were introduced to these three assumptions. As for Luke’s audience, Luke 1,35 and its context play a major role in justifying the logic of this Pentecost speech.

solid witness to Jesus and offers itself as a typical, though not exhaustive example of the bases of early post-pentecostal successful and convincing preaching. In short, ‘many other words’ suggests that there are further thoughts in support of the goals of the Pentecostal speech, as well as arguments aimed directly to appeal for conversion⁴. In particular, and of present interest to us is the fact that they also suggest that ‘many other words’ suggest that indeed some of the major thoughts of the Pentecostal speech itself need further explanation in order to be convincing.

        But, also a closer look at the Pentecostal speech itself would suggest that further explanation of at least some of its ideas is called for. Indeed, are there some logical or informational lacunae in the speech which do need addressing before one might be so convinced by Peter’s speech as to become a believer in him who one had decided, only 50 days ago, deserved to be put to death? It is this latter thought (re: lacunae) that is pursued in this essay; indeed, I wish to explore certain aspects in the argumentation of the speech Peter gives, including a reference which, as it stands in the speech, is only tantalizing, not satisfying⁵.

I. Luke’s Introduction to Peter’s Argument

        As is usual in Acts discourses, the Pentecost speech fits neatly into its circumstances. In particular, this speech means to respond to the question which gives focus to the experience of the Pentecost crowd: ‘What does this mean?’ (v. 12)⁶. Not only does the group ask, ‘What does this mean?’, where the word ‘this’ refers of course primarily to ‘their speaking in our languages the wonders of God’ (v. 11), then also to ‘this sound’ (i.e., ‘a noise like a strong, driving wind’ (v. 2), but Peter