Acts 2:22-32
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—
23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
24 But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
25 For David says of Him,
‘I saw the Lord continually before me,
Because He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.
26 ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue was overjoyed;
Moreover my flesh also will live in hope;
27 For You will not abandon my soul to Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
28 ‘You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 So 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 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.
32 It is this Jesus whom God raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses.
Peter’s Sermon (3)
Proven by God’s works
Peter’s message continues. He aims to convey that “Jesus is Lord and Messiah.” “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know.” (1) The “Lord” Peter refers to is Jesus. The news of Jesus the Nazarene had spread throughout Israel. Based on this fact, Peter says, “just as you yourselves know.” What people knew was of Jesus’ public ministry. (2) Jesus performed miracles among them, which are referred to as “miracles and wonders and signs.” Through this, God testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah, the Anointed One). 1 Corinthians 1:22 states, “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom.” (3) The audience likely recalled the connection between Jesus and Moses. “Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face… and for all the mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel” (Deut. 34:10-12). The connection between Jesus and Moses becomes even clearer in Acts 3:22-23 (Peter’s second sermon). “This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.” (1) Jesus’ crucifixion was according to God’s plan and foreknowledge. In other words, Jesus’ death was a necessary element for God’s plan to be fulfilled. (2) At the same time, humanity bears responsibility. The Jews handed Jesus over to the Romans. The sin of the leaders was also the sin of all people. Furthermore, the Romans who carried out the crucifixion are also responsible. The literal translation of the word rendered as “Godless men,” is “lawless men,” which are those without the Law. Who is responsible for crucifying Jesus? Both the Jews and the Romans bear responsibility, but ultimately, the responsibility lies with all humanity, including ourselves. Recognizing that we crucified Jesus is the first step toward saving faith.
Today's prayer
Father God, the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross was according to Your plan, but at the same time, I too bear responsibility. I thank You that now I am saved by the grace of Christ. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.