Jesus is LORD and Lord!

Peter’s Sermon and the Name of the Lord

In Acts 2, Peter delivers the first Christian sermon, a powerful proclamation of Jesus’ identity and mission. Peter’s sermon is built around two key Scripture references, both using the title “Lord”—Joel 2:28-32 and Psalm 110:1 (Psalm 110:1 is framed within the context of Psalm 16:8-11 and Jesus’ resurrection). But what makes Peter’s use of these passages particularly striking is how he activates their traditional nuances, drawing his audience into a recognition of Jesus as both YHWH and Messiah.

The Lord of Joel 2: YHWH and Salvation

Peter first quotes from Joel, explaining that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the fulfillment of prophecy:

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…" (Acts 2:17, quoting Joel 2:28).

But the key moment comes in verse 21:

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

In Joel’s original context, the LORD (YHWH) is the covenant God of Israel. Peter’s audience—devout Jews familiar with Scripture—would immediately recognize that Joel - and Peter through his citation of Joel - was speaking of YHWH alone as the source of salvation.

The Lord of Psalm 110: The Messianic King

Later in his sermon, Peter turns to Psalm 110:1, a passage widely understood in his day as referring to the coming Messiah:

"The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’”

Here, the first “Lord” (YHWH) speaks to a second “Lord,” who had been identified in Jewish thought as the promised Messianic King. The expectation was that this figure, seated at God’s right hand, would be the ultimate ruler of God’s people.

Jesus: Both YHWH and Messiah

Peter brings these two “Lord” references together in his dramatic conclusion:

"God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." (Acts 2:36)

This is not just saying Jesus is in charge. Peter is activating the full weight of both passages. Jesus is LORD (YHWH) — on whom people must call on to be saved, and He is the Messiah (the Lord of Psalm 110) whom God has enthroned as King of all things.

Peter’s sermon forces a reckoning: the man they crucified is none other than the eternal God of Israel, now reigning as their promised King. The response is immediate—"What shall we do?"—because the implications are life-altering.

This is the heart of Christian confession: Jesus is Lord. And in that declaration, we recognize him as both the covenant God of salvation and the King of all creation.