The Book of Acts
Chapter 2:22-28
Verse 22
Acts 2:22
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested
by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through
Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know”–
NKJV
Peter begins to tell them what they need to know – Jesus the
Nazarene was “attested” by God, proved by demonstration to be the
Son of God by “miracles” [mighty works] which underscored the power
of God; “wonders” which focused on the effect produced in those who
witnessed the event; and “signs” that revealed the design or purpose
of the miracles which was to show the divine nature of Jesus.
These miracles had been done openly in the sight of countless
witnesses. (John
11:47)
“Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and
said, ‘What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.” (John12:37)
“But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not
believe in Him.”
NKJV
No doubt the last fifty days had consisted of people discussing
Jesus – His life, death on the cross, the empty tomb. (Luke
24:18-24)
Verse 23
Acts 2:23
“Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of
God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to
death;” NKJV
Christ was delivered up to die as a result of God’s predetermined
plan and foreknowledge. It was not an accident or a surprise to
God. (I
Peter 1:20)
“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but
was manifest in these last times for you”
NKJV
The plan for the Word to become flesh and sacrifice Himself on
Calvary was executed over the centuries. (Galatians
4:4)
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,”
NKJV
Peter blames those listening [Jews] for putting Jesus to death by
using the Roman soldiers. The use of the word “lawless” may also
suggest the so-called trial was highly illegal.
Christ’s death on a Roman cross was a major stumbling block to the
Jews. (I Corinthians 1:23) “but we preach Christ
crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks
foolishness.”
NKJV
The
Jews were expecting a Messiah who would come with glory and power;
not one who was born in a backward town, work as a carpenter, and
die as a criminal. But death on a cross had been God’s plan all
along. (Psalm 22:7-8, 14-18)
Verse 24
Acts 2:24
“whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it
was not possible that He should be held by it.”
NKJV
Now Peter proclaims the most startling news of all. Jesus’ tomb was
empty because God raised Him from the dead! The resurrection is the
heart of Christianity. (Romans
1:4)
“and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the
Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” NKJV
(II
Corinthians 4:14)
“knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up
with Jesus, and will present us with you.”
NKJV
(Colossians
2:12)
“buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him
through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
NKJV
(I
Thessalonians 1:10)
“and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,
even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
NKJV
(Hebrews
13:20-22)
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the
dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His
will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. And I
appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I
have written to you in few words.”
NKJV
“having loosed the pains of death” The word translated pains
or pangs was used of “birth pangs.” When it is time for a baby to
be born, whether the mother is ready or not, it comes forth out of
the womb. Similarly, when it was time for Jesus to come forth from
the tomb, [three days], he came forth. Nothing or no one could stop
Him, not even Satan.
Verse 25
Acts 2:25
“For David says concerning Him: I foresaw the Lord always before my
face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.”
NKJV
The second Old Testament passage that Peter quotes is Psalm
16:8-11. By inspiration of God, He proclaims that this psalm of
David is a prophecy of the Resurrection of Christ. The Jews would
be listening carefully about David who was revered among them. They
believed rightfully that the Messiah would be a descendant of King
David. (II Samuel 7:12-13)
Verses 26-28
Acts 2:26-28
“Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my
flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in
Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have
made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in
Your presence.”
NKJV
The Messiah’s soul would not be left in Hades, the unseen world. It
is the state of the dead between death and the resurrection. It is
composed of two compartments: Abraham’s bosom and torment.
(Luke 16:19-31) Abraham’s bosom is also referred to by Christ as
“Paradise.” (Luke
23:43)
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be
with Me in Paradise.”
NKJV
The penitent thief did not go to heaven because after Jesus’
resurrection He said the following: (John
20:17)
“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended
to My Father, but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending
to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”
NKJV
So Paradise is where the righteous rest waiting for the Judgment.
Jesus’ body was placed in the grave, a tomb. While there, it did
not experience decay.
Bobby Stafford March 22, 2015 [Sunday Evening]
Lesson 7 Acts 2:22-28
