As Peter’s sermon (empowered by the Holy Spirt) continues on the day of Pentecost after Jesus had returned to Heaven, he talks in Acts 2:25-31 about some writings of King David (who his Jewish audience would be well acquainted with). For one thing, Peter confirms that Jesus was the one who David was writing about in Psalm 16:8-11. As mentioned in an earlier article, we might say that this was the moment that they had been waiting for.
Peter continues in verses 32-33.
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
Acts 2:32-33 NIV
Notice that Peter confirms that he and the others (“we”) were witnesses of God having raised Jesus from the dead. This isn’t merely something that Peter had heard about. It was something that he had personally witnessed and could attest to.
Peter also confirms that Jesus has been exalted by God, and that the Holy Spirit being given to the disciples in Jerusalem was the result. Note how all three persons of God are present here, and how they work together:
- God the Father (as I interpret “God” here) raised Jesus (God the Son) from the dead.
- God the Father gave the Holy Spirit to Jesus, and Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to His disciples. (This was what Jesus had promised in John 14:15-17.)
Although Peter had introduced Jesus (see verse 22) as “Jesus of Nazareth” (NIV) or “Jesus the Nazarene” (NASB), the audience has now been shown how Jesus was much more than just a rabbi or some random guy from Nazareth.
Peter continues to testify from David’s writings in verses 34-35, this time from Psalm 110.
Then, Acts 2:36 is kind of like Peter’s big conclusion to what he has just shared.
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Acts 2:36 NIV
Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah that God had promised to the Israelite people, and Jesus is now in authority: Jesus is Lord!
And, by the way, this was the same Jesus that had been crucified at the request of a mob a couple of months before.
Like Joseph’s brothers when they found that the brother they had sold into slavery was now a boss in Egypt, the Jewish people hearing Peter’s message just found out that this rabbi they had gotten executed was now in charge. That’s not a good feeling!
So, the people naturally ask the question in Acts 2:37: “…what shall we do?” And, what did Peter say? You can take a peek at Acts 2:38-39 if you don’t already know, but let’s spend some more time on that in the next article.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for September 3, 2023
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Acts, by Dennis Gaertner. © 1993 College Press Publishing Co.
- New Testament History: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Acts, by Gareth L. Reese. © 1976, College Press Publishing Company.
Those Who Sin Differently 
Repent and be baptized in Jesus name. 💛🌻🙌
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Amen!
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