Text: Acts 2:22-36
I. The life of Jesus Christ. 2:22
A. A man approved of God.
B. He conducted His ministry publicly in the midst of the people.
A. A man approved of God.
B. He conducted His ministry publicly in the midst of the people.
II. The death of Jesus Christ. 2:23
A. Divine sovereignty: the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Isa. 46:9-11, Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
B. Human responsibility: wicked hands have crucified and slain.
C. "This was bold talking, for Peter was doubtless addressing many of the very people who had put the Lord to death, and he charges them with it. Observe how he declares that Christ's death was in accordance with 'the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,' yet he expressly says that 'by wicked hands' they had crucified and slain Him. It never occurred to Peter that the counsel of God deprived men of the responsibility and guilt of their actions. No neither need it ever occur to you." Charles Spurgeon
A. Divine sovereignty: the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Isa. 46:9-11, Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
B. Human responsibility: wicked hands have crucified and slain.
C. "This was bold talking, for Peter was doubtless addressing many of the very people who had put the Lord to death, and he charges them with it. Observe how he declares that Christ's death was in accordance with 'the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,' yet he expressly says that 'by wicked hands' they had crucified and slain Him. It never occurred to Peter that the counsel of God deprived men of the responsibility and guilt of their actions. No neither need it ever occur to you." Charles Spurgeon
III. The resurrection of Jesus Christ. 2:24-32
A. God raised Him up.
B. Loosed from the pains of death.
C. Not possible that death should hold Him.
D. Citation of Psalm 16:8-11, For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
E. Exposition of Psalm 16:8-11: David spoke not of himself, but of the risen Christ.
F. "It was not possible that Christ should remain in the tomb because He had His Father's promise that He should not. I have already reminded you that David, speaking by inspiration, had said, 'Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell' (hades, the abode of departed spirits), 'neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.' That promise must be kept, so it was not possible that Christ should remain in the grave beyond the appointed period; indeed, this was part of the Father's purpose and plan, and an essential part of the great work of the redemption of His elect, that He who died should rise again; and what is in Jehovah's plan and purpose, none shall ever gainsay. When He openeth the door, no man is able to shut it; and where He shutteth up, no man can possibly open. Even Nebuchadnezzar, when he came to his right mind, said concerning the Most High, 'None can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?' So, when the Father had purposed, and decreed that His Son, Jesus Christ, should not be held any longer by the bonds of death, it was not possible for Him to be detained." Charles Spurgeon
A. God raised Him up.
B. Loosed from the pains of death.
C. Not possible that death should hold Him.
D. Citation of Psalm 16:8-11, For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
E. Exposition of Psalm 16:8-11: David spoke not of himself, but of the risen Christ.
F. "It was not possible that Christ should remain in the tomb because He had His Father's promise that He should not. I have already reminded you that David, speaking by inspiration, had said, 'Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell' (hades, the abode of departed spirits), 'neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.' That promise must be kept, so it was not possible that Christ should remain in the grave beyond the appointed period; indeed, this was part of the Father's purpose and plan, and an essential part of the great work of the redemption of His elect, that He who died should rise again; and what is in Jehovah's plan and purpose, none shall ever gainsay. When He openeth the door, no man is able to shut it; and where He shutteth up, no man can possibly open. Even Nebuchadnezzar, when he came to his right mind, said concerning the Most High, 'None can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?' So, when the Father had purposed, and decreed that His Son, Jesus Christ, should not be held any longer by the bonds of death, it was not possible for Him to be detained." Charles Spurgeon
IV. The ascension and enthronement of Jesus Christ in the inauguration of the New Covenant. 2:33-35
A. The oath (30) and the promise (33). Ezek. 36:26, A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
B. Exposition of Psalm 110: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
C. "The proper counsel and intention of God in sending his Son into the world to die was, that thereby He might confirm and ratify the new covenant to His elect, and purchase for them all the good things which are contained in the tenure of that covenant, - to wit, grace and glory; that by His death He might bring many children to glory, obtaining for them that were given unto Him by His Father (that is, His whole church) reconciliation with God, remission of sins, faith, righteousness, sanctification, and life eternal." John Owen
D. "Christ's sitting at the right hand of God speaks as much terror to His enemies as happiness to His people." Matthew Henry
E. "Christ ascended into heaven to manifest himself there as Head of his church, through whom the Father governs all things." Heidelberg Catechism
F. Question. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God? Answer. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father, with all fullness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth; and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces, and maketh intercession for them. Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 54
A. The oath (30) and the promise (33). Ezek. 36:26, A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
B. Exposition of Psalm 110: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
C. "The proper counsel and intention of God in sending his Son into the world to die was, that thereby He might confirm and ratify the new covenant to His elect, and purchase for them all the good things which are contained in the tenure of that covenant, - to wit, grace and glory; that by His death He might bring many children to glory, obtaining for them that were given unto Him by His Father (that is, His whole church) reconciliation with God, remission of sins, faith, righteousness, sanctification, and life eternal." John Owen
D. "Christ's sitting at the right hand of God speaks as much terror to His enemies as happiness to His people." Matthew Henry
E. "Christ ascended into heaven to manifest himself there as Head of his church, through whom the Father governs all things." Heidelberg Catechism
F. Question. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God? Answer. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father, with all fullness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth; and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces, and maketh intercession for them. Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 54
V. The conclusion: Jesus is Lord and Christ. 2:36
A. Ps. 72:8-11, He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
B. "There is nothing holier, or better, or safer, than to content ourselves with the authority and sovereignty of Christ alone." John Calvin
C. "Believe in Christ crucified, and preach boldly in His name, and you shall see great and gladsome things. Do not doubt the ultimate triumph of Christianity. Do not let a mistrust flit across your soul. The cross must conquer; it must blossom with a crown, a crown commensurate with the person of the Crucified, and the bitterness of His agony. His reward shall parallel His sorrows. Trust in God, and lift your banner high, and now with psalms and songs advance to battle, for the Lord of hosts is with us, the Son of the Highest leads our van. Let no man's heart fail him! Christ hath died! Atonement is complete! God is satisfied! Peace is proclaimed. Advance, ye saints, to certain victory! You shall overcome through the blood of the Lamb." Charles Spurgeon
A. Ps. 72:8-11, He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
B. "There is nothing holier, or better, or safer, than to content ourselves with the authority and sovereignty of Christ alone." John Calvin
C. "Believe in Christ crucified, and preach boldly in His name, and you shall see great and gladsome things. Do not doubt the ultimate triumph of Christianity. Do not let a mistrust flit across your soul. The cross must conquer; it must blossom with a crown, a crown commensurate with the person of the Crucified, and the bitterness of His agony. His reward shall parallel His sorrows. Trust in God, and lift your banner high, and now with psalms and songs advance to battle, for the Lord of hosts is with us, the Son of the Highest leads our van. Let no man's heart fail him! Christ hath died! Atonement is complete! God is satisfied! Peace is proclaimed. Advance, ye saints, to certain victory! You shall overcome through the blood of the Lamb." Charles Spurgeon
"Let me beg the reader not to overlook the mercy and love of God the Holy Ghost, in another sweet part of Peter's sermon, namely, the explanation of the sixteenth Psalm, in direct reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. There can be no doubt from the manner in which Peter spake upon it, in begging permission to speak freely of the Patriarch David, but that the Jews of those days, considered that Psalm as written by David, in allusion to himself. What a blessed scripture, therefore, it is, to have it thus explained with an eye to Christ, and from such authority. And may we not observe that from the illustration of this Psalm, we derive information upon many other occasions of a similar nature, to make application to Christ? Reader! do not forget to notice Peter's appeal from the whole, to the hearts and minds of his hearers. How affectionate, yet how faithful the Apostle is. Let them know, (saith he,) even the whole house of Israel, what the result of this wonderful event is. To Jesus shall every knee bow. He whom ye crucified, is now the Almighty and everlasting Lord of heaven and of earth! Reader! behold the bold, the undaunted Apostle! Oh! what did grace accomplish in him! And why not in you, or me? Lord! the Spirit! do thou in thy rich mercy make thy servants faithful! Speak, Lord, in them and by them, and let all whom thou hast sent, do the work of Evangelists, and make full proof of their ministry!" Robert Hawker
"Learn to know Christ and him crucified. Learn to sing to Him, and say, 'Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, I am your sin. You have taken upon yourself what is mine and given me what is yours. You have become what you were not so that I might become what I was not.'" Martin Luther
"Jesus is Lord, that is to say, wonderful as it is, He is exalted to supreme dignity. It is the teaching of the New Testament, that Jesus, the God-man, sits on the throne of the universe and rules over all things. We have Jesus for the Lord over all. Trust His dominion and rejoice in His rule, and bow before His authority. Jesus is Lord." Alexander Maclaren