In the small group study guide for “The God I Never Knew” Robert Morris makes the following claim:
“On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and delivered the first Holy Spirit-inspired prophetic sermon.” (p. 93)
Again, Morris misinforms the reader in his attempt to conflate being filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues. Anyone familiar with Luke will recall John the Baptist—who “exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them” (3:18)—was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. (1:15) Also, John’s father, Zechariah, “was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied…” (Luke 1:67)
What’s more, Peter himself tells us:
“For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)
Finally, let’s not forget: every one of Jesus’ sermons were Holy Spirit-inspired! Thus, the claim that Peter’s sermon at Pentecost was the first is simply not true.
Further Reading:
Last Free Exit 