I am a Jesus pusher!!! The climax of Peter’s sermon explaining Pentecost highlights the promise (Acts 2:39). The Greek word (epangelia) translated promise has a root Greek word (angelia) meaning “something announced.” The Greek word “angelos” is the announcer or messenger. This is the root word for our English word “angel.” The Greek word “evangelia” is the message of good things or the Gospel. You can see this cluster of words all refer to the message of truth found in the Person of Jesus. It is the “good news” of the Gospel.
In the New Testament, the usage of this Greek word (epangelia) can be gathered into three groups. The first group is the frequent references to God’s promises to Abraham concerning an heir. Abraham would be the father of a people through whom the Messiah would come (Romans 4:13-16, 20). A second group is the usage of this Greek word (epangelia) used in reference to David’s seed. Paul preached, “From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior – Jesus,” (Acts 13:23). The third group is the promise concerning the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, 39). 1:13). Jesus told His disciples that He often spoke with them about this promise (Acts 1:4). There are not three different promises. These are aspects of the same promise. The supreme goal of all God accomplished from Abraham to King David to the birth, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus Christ is that He might pour His Spirit into our lives. Intimacy with Jesus is the focus of God’s action. I am a Jesus pusher!!!