Who is Peter addressing in Acts 2?
Peter's audience in Acts 2 is only the nation of Israel—the men of Israel and the whole house of Israel—not Gentiles. He charges them with rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, calling them to repent and prove that repentance through baptism.
Les explains that Peter is only addressing the nation of Israel, still on the same ground as before the crucifixion—the Abrahamic covenant and the other Old Testament covenants. He points to Peter's words, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words," and notes that Peter accuses the nation of killing their Messiah, though they did not do it with their own hands; they demanded it and caused Rome to carry it out. Les also highlights that in verse 36 Peter says nothing about a Gentile, but tells the whole house of Israel that God hath made this same Jesus, whom they crucified, Lord in Christ. The message to Israel was to repent of having rejected their Messiah, proving repentance with baptism.
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
More Questions
Does Acts 2:22 address Gentiles?
Acts 2:22 addresses only 'ye men of Israel' and does not include a single Gentile, contrary to the common assumption that it should say 'and all you Gentiles.'