Acts 2:14–36 - BibleStudy.ph

These are the original teaching notes from this passage.

Day of Pentecost
- Holy Spirit…
  - TEN days after the Ascension of Jesus Christ – Acts 1:9
  - FIFTY days after His resurrection from the DEAD…
  - In the fullness – like the counting down of a CLOCK – came THE day of PENTECOST…
  - The 120 DISCIPLES were all in one accord – PRAYING in the UPPER room…
  - When the HOLY Spirit came like a RUSHING wind – and tongues of FIRE appeared over them…
  - Filled [aorist] with the Spirit – they began to speak with OTHER languages [gift of tongues]!
- The Crowd…
  - There were MANY men in there from ALL over the world…
  - Israel had been scattered [diaspora] because of their rebellion – II Kings 17:18
  - DEVOUT men would still come back to Jerusalem every year – Exodus 23:14
  - But when they heard the DISCIPLES glorifying God in their native DIALECTS…
  - Some were amazed and wondered [optative] what it might mean…
  - But others just accused the DISCIPLES of being DRUNK [new wine]!
1^st – Standing up… vs. 14–15
- 1^st – No choice… vs. 14
  - But Peter – standing up with the eleven!
  - BUT [δέ] Peter STOOD [Σταθεὶς] up [emphasized in the Greek by appearing first]
  - This was NOT something he chose to do – he was MADE [passive] to do it…
  - Because he was FILLED with the HOLY Spirit…
  - Looking at the vast perplexed multitudes – some wondering – other doubting…
  - He and the other ELEVEN could NOT stay sitting down – they had to STAND!
  - The prophet Jeremiah had a hard ministry – the MAJORITY of Israel rejected his warnings…
  - It got to be so BAD – he decided it would be better NOT to talk about the LORD!
  - Jeremiah 20:9 – “But if I say I will not mention His word or speak anymore in His name. His word is in my heart like a fire – a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in. indeed I cannot.”
  - When we are full of the SPIRIT – NO one needs to TELL us to share the Gospel…
  - NO one can KEEP us from talking about Jesus – we HAVE to…
  - The GOOD news is like a fire in our bones – and it has to get out!
- 2^nd – Not shy… vs. 14
  - [Peter] raised his voice and said to them!
  - Peter raised up his VOICE – speaking boldly so EVERYONE could hear him…
  - And he SPOKE [ἀποφθέγγομα] – ONLY here in NT…
  - The word carries the idea of giving an eloquent dissertation [from a fisherman]
  - The same FISHERMAN who had DENIED Jesus THREE times – just FIFTY days earlier…
  - The same DISCIPLE who had gone back to FISHING – quitting the ministry – John 21:3
  - Now raised his voice – and gave a POWERFUL message to the very crowd that CRUCIFIED Christ…
  - The difference – Peter was NO longer FULL of himself – he was FULL of the Spirit!
  - When students at a university graduate – the school is expected to invite a guest speaker…
  - Someone with impeccable credentials – a person who is a gifted orator…
  - Can you imagine showing up for a such prestigious ceremony…
  - And the person who is allotted to give the speech – is an uneducated sugar cane worker!
  - Being used by God is NOT a matter of education [Peter had THREE years with Jesus]
  - Or how many times we have failed [three] – or how recently [fifty days]
  - It is simply about being FILLED with the Spirit of God – who gives us POWER [δύναμις]
  - If we are FULL of ourselves – then we will have NO boldness – NO power in life…
  - But when we are emptied – and instead FULL of the Spirit – NOTHING is impossible!
  - II Corinthians 4:7 – “We have this treasure in [clay pots] that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
- 3^rd – Not Drunk… vs. 14-15
  - The Party… vs. 14-15
  - Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem let this be known to you – and heed my words.
  - For these are not drunk – as you suppose!
  - Peter commanded [imperative] the MEN of Judea – and ALL [πᾶς] who lived in Jerusalem…
  - They needed to KNOW [γνωστός] and LISTEN [give their ear] to his WORDS [ῥῆμα]
  - Because even though PENTECOST was essentially a huge PARTY…
  - It was after all the celebration of the END of the WHEAT harvest…
  - Which is why they ASSUMED – the DISCIPLES were just drunk!
  - Times have NOT changed much – we still see the same thing today…
  - When PAYCHECK [harvest] comes – and people have LOTS of money…
  - They decide it is time to CELEBRATE – and alcohol is often involved!
  - The time… vs. 15
  - Since it is only the third hour of the day!
  - But Peter points out – it is only the THIRD hour of the day…
  - The Romans counted their hours from SUNRISE…
  - So if the sun rises at SIX in the morning – the THIRD hour would be NINE in the morning…
  - Way too EARLY for anyone to already be DRUNK…
  - But if the DISCIPLES were not DRUNK [speaking in other languages] – what was going on…
  - To answer that question Peter took them back the BIBLE!
  - In these 23 verses – about HALF [nine] are quoted from the Old Testament…
  - Peter mentions Jesus [Jesus – Christ – Lord – He – Him] SISXTEEN times…
  - Because the Good News is all about His Word – it is all about Jesus!
  - It is not fancy words – or eloquent teaching that brings men to salvation…
  - It is just the Word – preaching the Gospel – make sure that the message is all about Jesus!
  - The power of the Gospel is in the name of Jesus – Acts 4:12
2^nd – Last Days… vs. 16-21
- 1^st – Last Days… vs. 16-18
  - Church Age … vs. 16-17
  - But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
  - It shall come to pass in the last days – says God!
  - Peter took the crowd back to the Old Testament – to the prophet JOEL [יוֹאֵל]
  - Who predicted the restoration of Judah after the Babylonian captivity – Joel 2:28-32
  - And AFTER these things [μετὰ ταῦτα] – Peter translated this phrase as the LAST days!
  - LAST Days [5x in NT] – is often misunderstood – we tend to think of the book of Revelation
  - The LAST Days began when the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost – Acts 2:17
  - We have been in the LAST days now for almost TWO thousand years [2032 A.D.]
  - The LAST days will continue right up to the rapture of the church – I Thessalonians 4:16
  - II Timothy 3:1 – “In the last days perilous [χαλεπός] times will come!”
  - II Peter 3:3 – “Scoffers will come in the last days.”
  - We live in an age when satan knows he does NOT have much time left…
  - We live in a world where many MOCK the idea that Jesus is coming again [soon]
  - The LAST Days are NOT an easy time to be alive – we need HELP to stand BOLDLY for God!
  - The Spirit… vs. 17
  - I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh!
  - The PROMISE of God was that He would [future] POUR out His SPIRIT [τοῦ πνεύματός]
  - Upon [ἐπί] everyone – all [πᾶς] flesh [σάρξ]!
  - Recall – there are THREE prepositions that are used to define the WORK of the SPIRIT…
  - PARA [παρά] – the Spirit comes ALONGSIDE and convicts the world of their SIN – John 16:8
  - EN [ἐν] – the Spirit comes and lives INSIDE of the believer – I Corinthians 6:19
  - EPI [ἐπί] – the Spirit comes UPON the believer to give them POWER – Acts 1:8
  - The Children… vs. 17
  - Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.
  - Your young men shall see visions. Your old men shall dream dreams!
  - The RESULT of the SPIRIT – both SONS and DAUGHTERS would PROPHECY [indicative]
  - If they are still YOUNG – they will [middle] see VISIONS [ὅρασις]
  - If they are OLD [πρεσβύτερος] – they will [passive] have DREAMS!
  - It is important to note that God does NOT care who we are…
  - If we are MALE or FEMALE – He wants to use our lives – Galatians 3:28
  - MEN and WOMEN can PROPHECY – speak forth the WORD of God…
  - There is ONE restriction given to WOMEN – they cannot teach MEN – I Timothy 2:12
  - And God does NOT care if we are YOUNG or OLD…
  - But when are OLD we may find it harder to stay AWAKE – and so end having DREAMS!
  - The Servants… vs. 18
  - On My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
  - And they shall prophesy!
  - The Spirit is NOT just limited to those we think are worthy [family]
  - God will also pour our His SPIRIT upon [ἐπί] the male and female SERVANTS [δοῦλος]
  - The only other time a FEMALE servant [δούλη] is mentioned is MARY – Luke 1:38
  - They will also PROPHECY – and speak boldly the WORD of the LORD!
  - God is willing to fill men or women – young or old – rich or poor – anyone who asks…
  - So that we can be BOLD for God in these LAST Days!
  - Luke 11:13 -“Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.”
- 2^nd – Day of the Lord… vs. 19-20
  - Wrath of God… vs. 19-20
  - I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath:
  - Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
  - The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood!
  - AND [καί] – then God will [future] GIVE miracles in HEAVEN – and signs on EARTH…
  - There will be BLOOD and FIRE [war] – with columns of smoke rising from the EARTH…
  - The SUN will go dark – and MOON [appear to] turn to blood in HEAVEN!
  - Revelation 6:12 – “The Lamb broke the sixth seal… the sun became as dark as black cloth and the moon became as red as blood.”
  - Joel [Peter] jumps ahead by at least TWO thousand years…
  - No longer talking about the Day of Pentecost – but instead the Day of JUDGEMENT…
  - The SEVEN years of TRIBULATION when God will pour out His wrath – Revelation 6-18
  - Awesome day… vs. 20
  - Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD!
  - Immediately after those SEVEN years of TRIBULATION…
  - When the SUN and MOON are darkened – the Son of Man will appear – Matthew 24:29
  - The GREAT [μέγας] and awesome DAY of the Lord!
  - The DAY of the Lord – the phrase is used 32 times in the Bible…
  - 27 times in the Old Testament – 5 times in the New Testament…
  - IMPORTANT – the DAY of the Lord is not just one DAY…
  - It describes the time AFTER the RAPTURE [which concludes the LAST Days]
  - Up to the RETURN of Jesus when He comes to establish His KINGDOM – Revelation 19:11
  - It is worth noting that JOEL uses the word FEARFUL [יָרֵא] day of the Lord…
  - But Peter changes the word to AWESOME [ἐπιφανής] – only here NT…
  - The reason for the change is because of the CROSS of Jesus Christ…
  - Before His SACRIFICE – men could only FEAR the Day of the Lord [judgement]
  - But once we are SAVED – we now look forward to His RETURN…
  - We are excited to see [epiphany] our Lord and Savior return!
- 3^rd – The choice… vs. 21
  - And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved!
  - In between these TWO events – PENTECOST and the RETURN of Jesus…
  - ALL [πᾶς] – WHOEVER [ὃς ἂν] – stated TWO ways for emphasis…
  - That call [subjuntive] on the NAME of the Lord [κύριος] – WILL [indicative] be SAVED!
  - No one thinking clearly wants to go through the TRIBULATION – or to HELL…
  - But most just do NOT think about it – they put off the decision till ANOTHER day…
  - They are focused on the things of THIS life – not ETERNAL life…
  - The problem is God does NOT guarantee tomorrow – TODAY is the day to believe!
  - There is NO limit on WHO can be saved – ANYONE can go to heaven – Romans 10:13
  - But there is a limit on WHEN we can be saved – we do NOT know when the door will close…
  - It is too important a decision to put off – CHOSE to live for Jesus today!
  - II Corinthians 6:2 – “Today is the day of salvation!”
3^rd – Good News… vs. 22-36
- 1^st – Jesus of Nazareth… vs. 22-24
  - You know… vs. 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!
  - Peter demanded [imperative] the MEN of ISRAEL listen to these WORDS [λόγος]
  - They had all SEEN [ἀποδείκνυμι] the POWER [δύναμις] – MIRACLES – and SIGNS of Jesus…
  - It had NOT happened in SECRET – they all KNEW [εἴδω] what happened!
  - Foreknowledge of God… vs. 23
  - Him being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God.
  - You have taken by lawless hands – have crucified – and put to death!
  - It was the PLAN of God – who beforehand what would take place…
  - KNEW [πρόγνωσις] – we can speak the word into English – PROGNOSIS [doctors remedy]
  - The CURE for SIN – was to HAND Jesus over to LAWLESS [ἄνομος] men who CRUCIFIED Him…
  - It had ALWAYS been His plan for the SON to DIE for the sins of the world – Revelation 13:8
  - The MYSTERY that was hidden from the rulers of this world – I Corinthians 2:7
  - Not possible… vs. 24
  - Whom God raised up – having loosed the pains of death.
  - Because it was not possible that He should be held by it!
  - Whom God [the Father] raised – breaking [λύω] the pains of DEATH…
  - Because it was [imperfect] NEVER possible [δυνατός] for DEATH to hold onto Him!
  - John 10:18 – “No one takes it from Me but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again.”
  - This was a VERY bold statement on the part of Peter…
  - If Jesus had NOT been resurrected – they could have gone and looked in the tomb…
  - But Peter could be bold – because he knew there was NO body!
  - We all know the story of Jesus – He is RISEN – we just celebrated Resurrection Sunday…
  - We also know the danger of Hell – the destination for any who REJECTS Jesus…
  - But it is NOT enough to KNOW the story – nod our head at the teaching – James 1:22
  - We must chose to put our FAITH in – LIVE our lives for the God who came to SAVE us!
- 2^nd – The Proof… vs. 25-32
  - Faith of David… vs. 25-26
  - For David says concerning Him:
  - I foresaw the LORD always before my face. He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken.
  - Therefore my heart rejoiced – my tongue was glad. Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope!
  - SECOND time Peter took the crowd back to the OT – this time to King David – Psalm 16:8-11
  - David always [piel] set [שָׁוָה] his eyes [face] on the LORD – depend on His strength [right hand]
  - Because [כִּי] ONLY by putting his TRUST in God would he be IMMOVABLE – Matthew 7:24
  - YES [כֵּן] – as a result his heart was HAPPY and rejoiced [sequential]
  - ALSO [אַף] – his BODY would have rest [imperfect] – because he put his FAITH [בָּטַח] in God!
  - Although David was the greatest King in the history of Israel…
  - It was NOT enough – he also had to put his FAITH in God to save him!
  - Not left in hell… vs. 27-28
  - 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!
  - This is where King David was given an INCREDIBLE truth…
  - His FAITH was that God would NOT leave HIS soul in the HADES [שְׁאוֹל]
  - How did he KNOW that – because God would RAISE up the [חָ] HOLY one [סִיד]
  - Showing him [hiphil] the PATH that leads to LIFE [heaven]
  - Where he would be FULL of JOY – in the presence [פָּנֶיךָ] of the Lord FOREVER [נֶצַח]!
  - The Resurrection… vs. 29-31
  - Men and brethren – let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David.
  - That he is both dead and buried and his tomb is with us to this day.
  - Therefore being a prophet – knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him.
  - Of the fruit of his body according to the flesh He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne.
  - He foreseeing this – spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ.
  - That His soul was not left in Hades – nor did His flesh see corruption!
  - Peter boldly EXPLAINED – David was DEAD – his body is [present] still buried in Jerusalem…
  - Therefore – as David is [present] a PROPHET – he knew [εἴδω] the PROMISE of God…
  - God would RAISE up the MESSIAH [Χριστός] from his body [descendent]
  - And he also FORESAW [προοράω] that God would RESURRECT the MESSIAH…
  - God would NOT leave His SOUL [ψυχή] in HADES [ᾅδης] – or let His BODY decay!
  - II Samuel 7:13 – “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever!”
  - Jesus went to HELL – where there were TWO rooms – Luke 16:23
  - One side a PRISON [ᾅδης] for those who did NOT put their faith in God…
  - The other PARADISE [παράδεισος] – for those who were WAITING for the PROMISE…
  - Jesus went to give them the GOOD news – their SINS had been paid – I Peter 3:19
  - He opened the prison doors – took them [including David] to HEAVEN – Isaiah 61:1
  - Witnesses… vs. 32
  - This Jesus God has raised up – of which we are all witnesses!
  - Peter BOLDLY states – this was NOT just a PROPHECY…
  - God did [indicative] RAISE up Jesus – showing He was the MESSIAH…
  - And ALL of the DISCIPLES [120] – were the WITNESSES [μάρτυς]!
  - One of the MOST powerful tools God uses to touch the lives of others – is our TESTIMONY…
  - People can argue over THEOLOGY – and debate RELIGION…
  - But it very difficult to dispute the FACTS of a what we have SEEN…
  - Our lives TRANSFORMED by the power of a RESURRECTED Lord!
- 3^rd – The Choice… vs. 33-36
  - The Promise… vs. 33
  - Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God.
  - And having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit.
  - He poured out this which you now see and hear!
  - Jesus was LIFTED up [ascension] to the RIGHT hand of the FATHER – Acts 1:9
  - The FATHER gave Him the PROMISE of the Holy Spirit – John 14:16
  - And Jesus poured out the SPIRIT upon the DISCIPLES on this day [Pentecost]
  - Causing the VERY thing the CROWDS were seeing and hearing [gift of tongues]
  - Giving the ANSWER to the QUESTION – what did this mean – Acts 2:12
  - The Lord… vs. 34
  - For David did not ascend into the heavens – but he says himself: The LORD said to my Lord!
  - Sit at My right hand till I make Your enemies Your footstool!
  - For [in conclusion] – it was NOT David who ascended up to heaven…
  - But he did PROPHECY who would sit at the RIGHT hand – Psalm 110:1
  - Quoted FOUR times in the NT – here – Mark 12:36 – I Corinthians 15:25 – Hebrews 1:13
  - But do NOT miss the point Peter is making – who is Jesus…
  - God the Father [יְהֹוָה] said to God the son [אָדוֹן] – who is the Master [κύριος] of David
  - SIT [imperative] at my right hand – until I make your ENEMIES your FOOTSTOOL!
  - Jesus will RULE – till He brings an END to every authority and power – Psalms 8:6
  - EVERY nations – EVERY person – even satan and his demons!
  - Romans 14:11 – “Every knee shall bow to Me and every tongue shall confess to God.”
  - The Messiah… vs. 36
  - Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus.
  - Whom you crucified – both Lord and Christ!
  - Therefore – let ALL [πᾶς] of Israel CONFIDENTLY [ἀσφαλῶς] know [imperative]
  - That Jesus of Nazareth – the one whom THEY crucified…
  - God made [indicative] both Lord [κύριος] and Christ [Χριστός]
  - The TWO titles are important – because they represent the TWO choices…
  - Continue to REJECT Jesus – and they would one day BOW their knee to Him as Lord…
  - But it would NOT be in SALVATION – it would be in JUDGEMENT – Revelation 20:12
  - Or they could REPENT – and chose to put their faith in the MESSIAH [Χριστός]!
  - There is a NARROW bridge in France called the Millau Viaduct…
  - It is over 2.5 kilometers long – and at the center over 340 meters high…
  - If we tried to cross from one side to another without the bridge – impossible!
  - Matthew 7:13 – “Enter by the narrow gate – for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction – and there are many who go in by it.”
  - The majority of people will not go to heaven – the majority will not be saved….
  - The reason is they choose the broad way – rather than the narrow bridge…
  - Jesus created the ONLY bridge that allowed us to cross over…
  - He did it through His blood on the cross at Calvary…
  - Jesus did what was IMPOSSIBLE for us to do – make a way to get to heaven…
  - But it is a NARROW path – Jesus is the ONLY way anyone can be saved!