Acts 2 starts out on the day of Pentecost, which we discussed yesterday. On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem when they heard the sound of a mighty wind and saw what appeared to be tongues of fire that descended upon each of them. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, so that people from different nations could understand them.
The event attracted a large crowd, and people were amazed to hear the disciples speaking in their own languages. Some of the people in the crowd thought that the disciples were drunk, but Peter got up and spoke to the crowd, explaining that what was happening was actually the fulfillment of a prophecy from Joel, which said that in the last days, God would pour out his Spirit on all people.
Joel 2:28-32 MSG
The Sun Turning Black and the Moon Blood-Red
28-32 “And that’s just the beginning: After that—
“I will pour out my Spirit
on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
also your daughters.
Your old men will dream,
your young men will see visions.
I’ll even pour out my Spirit on the servants,
men and women both.
I’ll set wonders in the sky above
and signs on the earth below:
Blood and fire and billowing smoke,
the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
Before the Judgment Day of God,
the Day tremendous and awesome.
Whoever calls, ‘Help, God!’
gets help.
On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be a great rescue—just as God said.
Included in the survivors
are those that God calls.”
Peter continues on to explain that Jesus (who they all knew of) was betrayed by man who abused the law and had him killed. - This ties into what i was saying earlier about how it was the hearts of men that put Jesus on the cross and not Satan.
"But God" untied the death ropes and raised him up, Death was no match for him!
7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.
9-10 I’m happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that’s not my destination!
11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I’m on the right way.
Verse 29-36 Peter is addressing a crowd of people and tells them about the resurrection of Jesus. He references the prophet David and says that David knew that a descendant of his would rule God's kingdom. Peter says that this descendant was Jesus, who God raised from the dead. He also says that Jesus was made Master and Messiah by God, and that the people in the crowd were witnesses to this event. Peter goes on to say that Jesus is now at the right hand of God, and has received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father. Finally, he says that there is no longer room for doubt, and that Jesus is the one whom they had killed on a cross.
Peter then references Psalm 110
“Sit alongside me here on my throne
until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.”
You were forged a strong scepter by God of Zion;
now rule, though surrounded by enemies!
Your people will freely join you, resplendent in holy armor
on the great day of your conquest,
Join you at the fresh break of day,
join you with all the vigor of youth.
4-7 God gave his word and he won’t take it back:
you’re the permanent priest, the Melchizedek priest.
The Lord stands true at your side,
crushing kings in his terrible wrath,
Bringing judgment on the nations,
handing out convictions wholesale,
crushing opposition across the wide earth.
The King-Maker put his King on the throne;
the True King rules with head held high!
“Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?””
“Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”” Acts 2:37-39 MSG
Now we see something really interesting happen here, But only if you are familiar with the Old Testament. In exodus, Moses had gone up onto Mount Sinai to receive the law from God, however while he was up there the congregation started worshiping a golden calf that they had made (Egypt is still in them) and they end up having to kill 3000 men because of this. (this is confusing and takes a while to understand why God would be so strict with this people group, refer back to when we were talking about pruning)
Exodus 32:28 The Levites carried out Moses’ orders. Three thousand of the people were killed that day.
The law of Moses was a law of spiritual death because nobody could keep it perfectly, but the law of Christ is a law of life because it provides for the forgiveness of our sins.
Acts 2:41-42 MSG “That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. ”
This signifies a reversal in the law and way that God relates to us.
3000 died - 3000 saved article <- read more about it
And thus began the church!
Job 42
I babbled On About Things Far Beyond Me
Psalms 30
“You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. I’m about to burst with song; I can’t keep quiet about you. God, my God, I can’t thank you enough.”
Psalms 30:11-12 MSG
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