2:14,15
There was confusion about what was happening with God’s people.
There was confusion about what God was doing.
There is often still confusion about what God is doing among people.
Confusion among God’s people or about God is best clarified by God’s word.
2:16
Peter is now filled with the Holy Spirit.
Previously, he was self confident about following Jesus, claiming that he would never deny Him.
Then Peter became fearful in front of others, and did deny Jesus.
Now Peter is filled w/the Holy Spirit, and boldly and accurately describes the work of God.
2:17, 18
Peter quotes from the prophet Joel.
He is using scripture to explain what seems to be a strange event.
The disciples had just been filled with the H.S., and had been praising God in tongues
Peter explains this event as being foretold by God.
This was a biblical experience, not a superstitious or simply emotional event.
It was verifiable by God’s word.
We should seek to define our theology and our practice by God’s word.
1 Cor. 11:22 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you…
There are those who say that God is bigger than His word.
They desire to make allowances for theology and practical living that goes beyond godly living.
If we follow that line of thought, then just about anything can be made acceptable.
NOTE- verse 17. This is something that God said He would do, and then He did it.
This is something that God desired and does desire to do.
God wanted to, and wants to pour out His Holy Spirit onto and into people’s lives.
John 7:37b-39 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Two of the accompanying gifts would be the ability to have dreams or visions, regarding understanding the truths of God.
Also, the gift of prophecy was and is a gift that God desires to pour out into some people’s lives.
Last Days…This age in which we are living, which started on the Day of Pentecost.
Joel- speaks of a time of national renewal for Israel, when God with pour out His Spirit on Israel.
That outpouring will be followed by the judgment of the nations.
Joel 2:28-3:2; 3:11-21
Peter says that this initial outpouring of the H.S. is connected to that, though not the total fulfillment of that prophecy.
That the total fulfillment hasn’t taken place is evidenced in verses 19-20.
It’s like saying that in 2003 we are going to have church on April 26, and then have a picnic.
The picnic is coming Memorial Day weekend.
2:19,20
The fullness of the Last days comes at the great and awesome day of the Lord.
I believe that this will be the judgment of the nations.
2:21
Peter explains that calling on the name of the Lord will save people. In that future day, any Jew calling on God, in faith, will be saved. On Pentecost, Peter said that that same offer was available.
Joel speaks of God’s wrath against the nations, and against a Christ rejecting world. Joel says that whoever calls on God for salvation will be saved.
Peter says that the same thing is true on that day, in that place. They, as a nation, had rejected their Messiah, and would be judged, unless they called upon Him in faith.
NOTE- We now see Peter take this general truth, and bring it to a very applicable level. These people were guilty before God. Peter does not just theologize with them, but bring the truth to bear upon their lives. The truth of God is always applicable for our lives today. We should always ask ourselves what a particular passage means to us today.
2:22
These people had either seen Jesus themselves, or knew these statements to be true.
They knew that Jesus had done many miracles.
There would be no arguing about that point.
2:23
Here we see both God’s sovereign plan, and man’s responsibility for his own actions.
It was the Father’s plan to sacrifice the Son for our sins. Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief…
We also see that these men were responsible for rejecting Jesus, and for His death. Peter is under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This man, who was formerly ashamed of Jesus in front of a young girl, is now charging this crowd with the death of Jesus. Please take note of the substance of Peter’s message. He is charging these people with their guiltiness before God.
God loves these people dearly, and so He inspires Peter to tell them how guilty they are, in order that they may be convicted of their sins, and turn to God, and ask for forgiveness, and be saved from God’s judgment.
NOTE- Peter gives them the bad news about themselves. But he also gives them the good news about Jesus being alive, victorious over death, and available to forgive them.
Peter shows them how the Old Testament spoke of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead, is the great truth that gives hope to the Christian.
We have a living savior, who is alive and can help us.
Death is not the end, but only a transition into eternity. Notice that Peter speaks to them where they are at, quoting the scriptures that they knew so well, but had become blind to.
2:24
Pains of death- speaks of the pains of childbirth, the intensity of the pain.
1 Cor. 15:54-56 54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”56The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The penalty of sin is death. That was what God told Adam. Sin is what brings death. Sin has a case against people, because of the law. The law of God says “don’t sin”. When we sin, we are guilty, which brings death. Jesus wasn’t a victim of death, but gave up His life as a sacrifice for our sins, and then was raised from the dead, to show that He had and has power over sin, death, and Hell. It was impossible that death should hold Jesus in the grave. Though He became a sin offering, he was not guilty of sin, nor obliged to bear the punishment of sin, which is death and corruption.
2:25-28
Though Jesus bore our sin, the penalty for our sins, he was not a sinner. He remained the Holy One, not subject to the corruption of the grave. Verse 25– David speaks on behalf of Jesus. He speaks the words of Christ in a prophetic manner. These words could not have applied to David.
NOTE- Where does Jesus say we will be full of joy? In God’s presence, when we are in glory with the Lord. Being in the presence of the Lord is the great hope and comfort for the Christian. While we are still in these bodies, our great joy is to walk in God’s presence as closely and as often as possible. That is the greatest source of joy for the Christian sill present in the body.
1 Thess. 5:8-11 8But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
2:29-35
Peter appeals to these Jewish men from their own scriptures. King David spoke prophetically of the resurrection of the Messiah.
NOTE- Why did Peter take this circuitous route? Why all this information about Jesus’ resurrection? Remember where this conversation started? They asked about the phenomena of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
NOTE- What did John say in John 7? When would the Holy Spirit be poured out by the will of God?
After Jesus was glorified, raised from the dead. He wouldn’t be glorified if He was rotting in a tomb. And he wouldn’t be their Messiah if He was rotting in a tomb.
Peter answers their questions about the Holy Spirit by arguing for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
2:36
Peter closes the argument, and shows them that God had anointed Jesus to be their savior, but that they had rejected Him and killed Him.
NOTE- Once again, remember why this whole conversation started. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit via the disciples speaking in tongues about the wonderful works of God. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit should always bring the glory to Jesus, and the attention to Jesus.
John 16:14 He (the Holy Spirit) will glorify Me…
The manifestation of the H.S. is not to emphasize the Holy Spirit, but to bring the attention and the glory to the person of Jesus.
John 16:8-15 8And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
2:37
This is what Holy Spirit anointed preaching will do. Bring conviction and desperation to those who will receive the truth.
Cut to the heart…
Peter doesn’t even invite them to give their hearts to Jesus.
He just tells them the truth, and they ask what they should do.
2:38
Repent- a change of direction. Turn from self rule, and submit your lives to Jesus. More than sorrow
Baptism- Not what saves you, but an outward sign of saving faith. Confession from the lips, also a sign of faith, as is turning from sin. There should be evidence from a truly repentant person.
2:39
The Promise of the Holy Spirit was for them also.
They could also be filled with Living Water.
2:40,41
What kind of men were these men before they were saved?
Verse 5– devout men, seeking God, and yet guilty before God. Religious, but blind to who Jesus was.