Acts 2:22-41 (New International Version)
22“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. 23This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But 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. 25David said about him:
” ‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will live in hope,
27because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[b]
29“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,[c] that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted 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. 34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
” ‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.” ‘[d]
36“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38Peter 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. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
As you prepare yourself for Holy Week in the coming days, read this passage. Digest this passage. This is the Gospel. Here are some points to think about:
– Verses 22-24 give it straight to us: Jesus of Nazareth, through whom God did miracles in order to make him credible, was handed over to wicked men, killed, and then was resurrected because it was impossible for death to hold him! And all of this was God’s purpose.
– And then we read in verse 32 something very interesting and easy to miss if you’re just giving it a quick read. It says: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.” The resurrection, and it’s power, is a fact! Are you living out the resurrection as reality? See Ephesians 1:18-23 too.
– Verse 34 holds some very weighty and important Truth that can be distorted sometimes, namely that God made Jesus Lord and Christ. He is not, nor can he be, only one or the other. He needs to be the Deliverer and Master of your life. No more, no less.
– The response, as shown by verse 38, should always be repentance for the forgiveness of sins (And it’s also interesting to note that this response came after being “cut to the heart”). And also, the promise is for all people who are far off, whoever God should call. Amen!
We want people to know Jesus, to accept this message, and to become followers of the Way. Pray for that this week. Work towards that end.