Jesus Proclaimed as Lord and Christ

Explore Peter’s powerful Pentecost sermon proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior. Discover how Peter’s words fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and called all to salvation through Christ’s name.

[Scripture]

[22] “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—[23] this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. [24] God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. [25] For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; (Acts 2:22-25, ESV)

[26] therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. [27] For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. [28] You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ [29] “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. [30] Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, (Acts 2:26-30, ESV)

[31] he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. [32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. [33] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. [34] For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, [35] until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ [36] Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:31-36, ESV)

[Daily Word]

To those who could not believe in the presence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter proclaimed the prophecy of the prophet Joel. The work of God that had just taken place was fulfilled for the last days.
Going forward, God would manifest through the apostles and disciples the things He would bring about through wonders and signs. Therefore, as stated in verse 21, everyone must believe that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, and must rely on God alone.

While Peter referred to those who mocked them as all the Jews and all who dwell in Jerusalem, in verse 22 he identifies them more precisely as men of Israel. The focus is directed squarely at the Jewish people, because they were directly involved in the death of Jesus. (23)

The Jews were fully aware of the ministry and miracles Jesus had performed. Through mighty works, wonders, and signs, Jesus had made the living presence of God something they could see, hear, and personally experience. (22) All of this was the will of God to save the world. Yet the Jews crucified Jesus by “the hands of lawless men.” At that time, the Jews did not have the authority to carry out capital punishment. Therefore, the religious leaders accused Jesus before the Roman emperor Caesar of claiming a kingship that defied Roman authority; the Roman government approved this charge and ultimately carried out the execution. It was an event in which both Jews and Gentiles joined together to put Jesus to death on the cross.

Peter explains the resurrection of Jesus.

Although the people crucified and killed Jesus, God raised Him up, releasing Him from the pangs of death. (24) The phrase “pangs of death” is an expression quoted from (Ps 18:5). [5] the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. (Ps 18:5, ESV)

Peter also quotes (Ps 16:8-11) to explain the resurrection of Jesus. 8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. This psalm reads as though it were written about David himself being resurrected.

However, Peter explains that the “Lord” spoken of in the psalm cannot be referring to David. [29] “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. (Acts 2:29, ESV) makes this clear by pointing to David’s tomb in Jerusalem, which testifies to his death. Therefore, this passage is entirely a prophecy of the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. In verse [31] he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. (Acts 2:31, ESV), and in [32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:32, ESV)

Peter speaks of the ascension of Jesus.

This is because the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost came about through the ascension of Jesus. [33] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (Acts 2:33a, ESV) [33] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (Acts 2:33b, ESV) The right hand of God symbolizes power, life, and salvation.

Furthermore, the words in [35] until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ (Acts 2:35, ESV) are a quotation from (Ps 110:1). The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The reason Peter cites this passage is that for Israel, God alone is the true King. Therefore, the command recorded in the psalm — “Sit at my right hand” — is not spoken first to David, but rather makes clear where God, and specifically Jesus, is positioned in authority.

Therefore, all the house of Israel must know with certainty. [36] Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36, ESV) Despite the grave and undeniable guilt of having put Jesus to death, God has forgiven that sin through Jesus and has made Him Lord and Christ over His people, so that, as stated in [21] And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:21, ESV), everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Jesus Is the Lord of Life.

Those who call upon Jesus as Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him can also experience the spiritual joy that David knew in the Psalms. May today be a day in which our lives rest in peace within God, and in which we joyfully proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ and witness the work of God moving among us.

Peter’s sermon, Acts 2, Jesus Christ, Pentecost, biblical exposition

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com