The Acts of the Apostles
Week Four
Last week we ended with people thinking the Apostles and those with them were drunk. They were in fact, under the influence, but not of wine. In fact we are told in Ephesians 5:18 to Be not drunk with wine where in is excess, but be filled with the Spirit. (Pneuma) Breath, as in, Breath of Life. Being under the influence is where we want to be.
Vs 14-15 Now we see the restored Peter step up to take control of the situation. One of the writers I read in study said that previously Peter’s bravado had been his downfall. He had walked with Jesus and stood by His side but yet, when the critical moment came, he denied even knowing Him. This should be encouragement to us. God forgives and God uses those who have made mistakes and repented. Peter tells them that they are not drunk becaue it is too early; it’s only 9AM.
Vs 16 This was a Jewish crowd so what Peter is telling will have credence because it is coming from the Old Testament prophet Joel. Joel 2:28-29.
Vs 17-21 “In the last days” is an interesting phrase that means time between the first and second comings of Christ. This and other phrases have been the at the center of ridicule for a while now by those who are skeptical of our faith. Our race is a race of endurance. Our faith is not just a saving faith, it is a living faith.
It gets us through today and the trails of the day. We have an everlasting hope for paradise in eternity but these last days are just part of our endurance i.e. believing to the end.
Why is God waiting? Why doesn’t He just come back and clean up the mess we have made of this beautiful world? I believe that it is because He, being the all-knowing God, loving, true and righteous judge wants everyone to have their chance at Heaven. He already knows who will and who will not accept Him, that is predestination. Not that He dictates who will and who won’t but He knows who will and who won’t accept His Son
VS 22-24 Jesus was approved of God, Performed miracles through the power of God, lived among them bodily; they saw and knew Him personally. He was delivered by a predetermined plan. (Plan for what? God’s will; the redemption of mankind) Why was it not possible from Jesus to be held by death? He was not mortal and He is God.
Vs 25 David was the revered king of Israel. Peter is building a bridge between the old and new by saying that David saw the Lord in His prescience. He, in his mind and heart recognized that day that the Messiah would come.
(Psalm 16:8-11)
David took comfort in knowing that God was with him and that God was in control of his future. If only we could grasp that daily we would have much less stress. God always provides hope.
VS 27 The references to Hades and decay here are talking about the grave not necessarily a place of torment.
Vs 28 David knew the ways of life because God showed them to him. The ways of life are reveled to us that same way through the Power of His Spirit. The first half of the verse is past tense that second half is future tense.
VS 29 As great as David was, he still stayed in the grave.
VS 30 God told David that the Messiah would come from his lineage. (an adulterer, murderer, a man whose own son tried to kill him, a man after God’s own heart)
Vs 31 How could David look ahead in time to see Jesus’ day? The power of the Holy Spirit which they are experiencing now. David had felt that presence and power hundreds of years before. He knew the filling of the Holy Spirit.
This was new to most of those gathered, they did not make the connection that what David had experienced and what they were now experiencing now was the same outpouring of the Spirit. They needed Peter to tie it all together.
It’s important to remember that these people were Jews, accustomed to living under Jewish law with all the temple rites and rituals. This was very new and unsettling. The bridge to the trusted king of the past would ease them into acceptance of what was happening. By showing that David trusted and looked forward to a time when this would happen made it easier to accept what was now happening as being from God.
VS 32-33 Peter declares that this Jesus is God and that His Holy Spirit is what they are experiencing.
Vs 34 The LORD said to my LORD. These are the same words Kurios meaning supreme authority.
VS 35 When does this happen?
Vs 36 He is Kurios (supreme authority) and Christos (Messiah) This is who you crucified. How many times does the word Messiah appear in the Bible? Look it up in Strong’s concordance, the answer will surprise you.
Vs 37 The piercing of the heart is the first step toward salvation. The second step is the desire to submit to the authority. What shall we do?
VS 38 Repent. That’s a word we don’t hear too often anymore. We hear Believe and Receive. Repentance is an integral part of salvation. Knowing that we are wrong and never turning away from sin is not part of salvation.
Vs 39 The Gospel is for all. Do you think that at this time Peter was really talking about all people or just Jews?
Vs 40 Why was Peter solemn? (The gravity of what he was preaching) Are we to be saved from this perverse generation, or is it ok now that we are sophisticated, affluent and culturally modern?
VS 41 Three thousand added. Why don’t we see this today? Is it God or is it us?