This episode summarizes the specific content of the gospel that informs evangelism, emphasizing leaning on the Holy Spirit's leading. Calling Jesus Lord presupposes knowledge of the gospel and personal appropriation of Christ as king, as Lord. The evangelist as co-laborer with the Holy Spirit consequently conveys the "negative" side of the gospel story, that all are judged as sinners for not trusting in Christ. The episode introduces the essential role of the Holy Spirit in convicting the world of "sin, righteousness, and judgment." (John 16:7) These convictions, or Spirit-impressed truths, are the natural consequences of any Spirit-led evangelistic encounter, in which "the good news" is founded on "TERRIBLE NEWS." Ultimately calling Christ Lord then rests on knowledge of one's hopeless desperate state before a holy God, and the wise evangelist simply cooperates with the Holy Spirit in conveying these truths.
Jesus: the Lord of Jews
This episode elaborates on the most pivotal event in history, the resurrection, and the appropriate Scriptural response. The resurrection of Christ signaled, according to Peter, that Christ was the exalted Lord spoken of in Psalm 110:1. Peter declared in his first sermon at Pentecost that Christ rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God. He then cites as proof Psalm 110:1, "The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" The significance of the resurrection? "God has made Him both Lord and Christ.." (Acts 2:33-36) Christ is the exalted Lord seated at the right of God, and the resurrection is the proof. When asked by the Jewish crowd what their response should be, he said they needed to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." Identification with Christ, the Lord of David, indicates one believes in the God revealed to the Jews in the Old Testament. And Jewish failure to come under His Lordship means all "Jewishness" is forfeited. (Acts 3:23, (1 John 2:23) Consequently, Jews who reject the Lordship of Christ do not believe in the same God as Christians and Jews faithful to the God of Abraham, Moses and David.