Peter Responds, Part 3
Acts 2:22-24.
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know –
“this Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
“God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”
Dear Saints,
For Peter and the other apostles, Pentecost was much more than an event. Having explained to his hearers the meaning of what they had observed, he immediately turned his attention to the purpose of Pentecost, which is centered around Jesus and his death.
Attested (v. 22).
The miracles of Jesus were not in doubt. The crowd no doubt had people who had seen Jesus do wonders. Peter declared that the miracles were not just drama – they were God’s confirmation that Jesus was sent from God.
Assassinated (v. 23).
Peter laid the responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus at the feet of the crowd. Some had obviously been there when Jesus was handed over to the Romans. They had been part of the crowd that had shouted, “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:13). Peter calls the Romans lawless, not because they had no law, but because they had ignored the law when they put Jesus to death. He also would have considered the Romans lawless because they were Gentiles who did not fear God. Instead of dealing with Jesus according to the law of God, the crowd and the religious leaders had delivered Jesus to the godless. Despite this, God’s plan was right on course. God had planned it all beforehand.
Affirmed (v. 24).
God had raised Jesus from the dead, a fact that not only showed God’s approval of him and his message but also demonstrated the power of Jesus over death – “it was not possible for him to be held by it.”
The people were now facing a stark reality. The one they had rejected, handed over to godless Romans, and crucified was alive. He could not be ignored. Even before Peter said it, it was obvious that they had to choose what to do with Jesus. Each of us has to come to that point in life – what do we do with Jesus?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.