Four proofs of the Resurrection and Ascension

Topic: Resurrection
Passage: Acts 2:29–36

November 12, 2021

Commentary

These verses include four proofs of the Lord’s Resurrection and Ascension: 

  1. The empty tomb (vv. 29-31)
  2. The witness of the Resurrection (v. 32)
  3. The witness of the believers (v. 33)
  4. The presence of the Holy Spirit (vv. 34-36)
If the Holy Spirit is in the world, then God must have sent Him. But if Jesus is dead, He cannot send the Spirit; therefore, He must be alive. Furthermore, He could not send the Holy Spirit unless He had returned to heaven to the Father (John 16:7); so Jesus has ascended to heaven! Peter’s conclusion was both a declaration and an accusation: Jesus is your Messiah but you crucified Him.!

Peter’s point is that since David was dead and buried he could not have been referring to himself in Psalm 16:8-11. David was not resurrected, neither did he ascend to heaven (v.34), so these references are to Christ and His Resurrection. Prior to Christ’s Resurrection, the disciples did not believe that He would be raised from the dead. Now they are convinced, and the proof is that they are even willing to be imprisoned. These witnesses are trustworthy. Peter had 120 witnesses to prove it.  There is where Christianity rests its case. Jesus Christ is Lord, whether men know it or not. The very forces which control their lives are dependent upon Him.

Application

It was very important for Peter to establish the truth of the Resurrection. What impresses me most about Peter in these verses is his courage, his knowledge, etc. I want to let Jesus be Lord of my life.

Acts 2:29– 36 (NET)

29 “Brothers, I can speak confidently to you about our forefather David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 So then, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, 31 David by foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did his body experience decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 So then, exalted to the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out what you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my lord, “Sit at my right hand

35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.”