Peter Proclaims Jesus’s Resurrection Power
February 10, 2023
Commentary
Peter proclaimed to the crowd that Jesus is Messiah (vv. 22). He insisted that the Cross was no accident, as it belonged to God’s eternal plan (v. 23), a fact that is stated multiple times in Acts (3:18; 4:28; 13:29). However, those who crucified Him were still guilty of murder (v. 23). The Jews delivered Jesus to death, and the Romans did the actual nailing of His body to the cross, but it was still His choice to die for the sins of the world. Jesus said, “No one takes my life from me. I lay it down on my own accord” (John 10:18). Death could not hold Him in its power (vv. 24-28).
Peter stressed that the resurrection was the final proof that Jesus was God’s chosen Messiah. Evidence of His resurrectioninclude: the empty tomb (vv. 29-31), the witness of the apostles (v. 32), and the presence of the Holy Spirit (vv. 33-36). Prior to the resurrection, the disciples did not believe that Jesus would be raised from the dead. After the resurrection, they were convinced, to the point that they were all willing to be imprisoned and even killed. Their witness was trustworthy. The Holy Spirit was sent to earth by the resurrected (and ascended) Jesus (John 16:7).
Peter also referred to King David throughout this section of his sermon. David was dead and buried in the city of Jerusalem (v. 29), not far off form where Peter was now preaching. David was never resurrected, nor did he ascend to heaven (v. 34), so he could not have been referring to himself in Psalm 16:8-11. Peter’s conclusion was both a declaration and an accusation: Jesus is your Messiah, but you crucified Him.
Application
Peter helped these unbelievers come to faith in Jesus by establishing the truth of the Resurrection. I’m impressed by Peter’s courage and his knowledge in these verses. It’s important that our presentation of the gospel is based on the facts, not just the feelings.
Acts 2:22– 36 (NET)
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man clearly attested to you by God with powerful deeds, wonders, and miraculous signs that God performed among you through him, just as you yourselves know— 23 this man, who was handed over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed by nailing him to a cross at the hands of Gentiles. 24 But God raised him up, having released him from the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says about him, ‘I saw the Lord always in front of me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced; my body also will live in hope,
27 because you will not leave my soul in Hades, nor permit your Holy One to experience decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of joy with your presence.’
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.”