Peter continues his sermon to the crowd that shows up at Pentecost. After having defended the miraculous signs of that morning and quoting the Old Testament prophet Joel, he continues with the real theme of the event, the Messiah Jesus.
Acts 2:22-24
"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Acts 2:22-24
"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
The Greek translated here "wicked men" is literally, "those not having the Law", a euphemism for the irreligious Gentiles (NIV footnote.) Note Peter's appeal to his audience's witnessing some of these events.
Acts 2:25-31
"David said about him: `I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
The quote in verse 28 is from Psalm 16:8-11, from the Septuagint translation of the book of Psalms.
In verses 31 and 36, the word, Christ, means "the anointed one", a Greek word for the Hebrew word "Messiah."
Acts 2:32-36
"God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 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. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, `The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Peter is confident is his claims as a witness. The events of the resurrection are recent and vivid and there appears to be no one there to contradict his claim. The eyewitness accounts compelled this new group into the center of Jewish life in the first century!
Peter is confident is his claims as a witness. The events of the resurrection are recent and vivid and there appears to be no one there to contradict his claim. The eyewitness accounts compelled this new group into the center of Jewish life in the first century!
Acts 2:37-40
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
Peter ends his sermon with a now classic call, an invitation to respond immediately.
Acts 2:41-47
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Notice the daily growth and the daily meetings! Such enthusiasm, such contagion, such community! Luke records their commitment to the teaching of the apostles, the common fellowship, the practice of "breaking of bread" (presumably referring to what we now call "communion" or "the Lord's supper") and, of course, to prayer.
The word “saved” here is interesting and has come to have various meanings over time. What does Luke intend it to mean here?
I think that's a real question, at least for discussion purposes. The answer is a few verses above: "save yourselves from this corrupt generation." According to peter's sermon, they're living in the last days among a generation that's about to get hammered in judgment. So, repentance and baptism in Jesus's name is the way to escape it. Although, I think it's important to note, they don't escape physical suffering through baptism. Some are later killed, some lose property, some end up in jail, most end up refugees.
ReplyDeleteYes, Peter's use of the term "save" is a natural, general one, not the spiritual term used by some churches (in my past experience.) Peter is saying, "This generation crucified the Messiah! But you have an opportunity to repent from this and join his new kingdom!"
ReplyDeleteYes, Peter's use of the term "save" is a natural, general one, not the spiritual term used by some churches (in my past experience.) Peter is saying, "This generation crucified the Messiah! But you have an opportunity to repent from this and join his new kingdom!"
ReplyDelete