Peter Responds, Part 5
Acts 2:29-36.
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
“Being, therefore, a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would see one of his descendants on his throne,
“he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that, we are all witnesses.
“Being, therefore, exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
“For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at my right hand,
‘until I make your enemies your footstool.’
“Let all the house of Israel, therefore, know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Dear People of God,
As Peter continued with his homily, he wanted his hearers to get the connection between the Psalm he had just cited and the events of the previous seven weeks.
Foreseen (v. 29-31).
For the benefit of any doubt, David was not talking about himself. He had died, been buried, and had obviously decayed. But David had prophesied about his descendant Jesus, who would be heir to the throne, that he would not rot in the grave.
Fulfilled (v. 32-35).
The prophecy of David had come true. Jesus was alive and had sent the Holy Spirit, evidence that he was seated at the right hand of God the Father. This reminded Peter of another one of David’s prophecies, that the “Lord” would be seated at the right hand of God, waiting for God to defeat his enemies (make them a “footstool”).
Fact (v. 36).
The Jews had rejected and crucified Jesus. Now they had to face the uncomfortable reality that God had affirmed Jesus and made him Lord (meaning that he was to be worshipped and obeyed) and Christ (God’s anointed Messiah who was the hope of salvation for Israel). Jesus could neither be ignored nor wished away. He was a reality they had to come to terms with. That remains true today. We must come to terms with the fact that Jesus is God’s way to himself (John 14:6). We can believe in him for eternal life and sonship to God, or reject him and reap eternal punishment.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.