Acts 2:14-36 First Gospel Preaching of the Church
2: 14-15, 22-24, 29-33 Presentation of Gospel by Peter
2: 16-21 Prophecy of Joel concerning Holy Spirit
2: 25-28, 34-35 Prophecy of David concerning Jesus Christ
2: 14-15, 22-24, 29-33 Presentation of Gospel by Peter
Peter emerged out as the leader of the Disciples. Remember their fight of disciples for leadership when Jesus was on human form and doing his ministry. Whereas, the anointing of the Holy Spirit brought a good understanding of leadership. They had recognized one another as potential and worthy leaders. They shared their responsibilities, esteemed high of one another, and honored one another. The spirit and character of Christ have come into their Church life. V. 14, Peter stood up with the eleven and addressed the crowd. The gospel is nothing but the good news about birth, miracles, teachings, preaching of Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, it includes death and resurrection of Christ. It is the FULL GOSPEL. This gospel calls every hearer to repent. The listeners urged preachers further for their salvation experience. Preachers presented the proper gospel. Hence, they were pricked in their hearts and minds and surrendered their lives, and they had asked, what shall we do? What about our presentation of the gospel?
2: 16-21 Prophecy of Joel concerning Holy Spirit
New Testament is not an independent book. The culmination of the Old Testament teaching has found in the New Testament. Every prophecy has been fulfilled through and in Christ. Even Christ said that he came not to destroy the Laws and the prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-19). Prophecy of Joel has concerns about youth, virgins, elders, and women. Freedom has come to all sectors of life. The last days' signs had explicitly described. Salvation belongs to the whole world. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, preaching the gospel in all languages through the given tongues of the Holy Spirit are the signs of the last days. It has understood as the last days or the beginning of the new era for the disciples. The Last Days of the earth have begun with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
2: 25-28, 34-35 Prophecy of David concerning Jesus Christ
King David has seen as the icon of Priest, King, and Prophet. He represents three orders of the Jews history. He prophesied about the death and resurrection of Jesus as the Messiah. The interesting verses are 2:34-35 quoted from Psalm 110:1. Now a question arises in the minds of the readers. Who has promised the Messiah that he would make his enemies as a footstool? Why the Messiah could not do by himself? Are these verses bring disparity among the trinity? Here Peter quotes these prophecies to affirm the death and resurrection of Christ rather than the order of the seniority and power. The human life, sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ were present to the readers as real human incarnation. Jesus of Nazareth was a real human being moving with people, understanding their day to day struggles, and helped them to overcome their problems. That same Jesus was crucified and came back to life. The humanity and divinity of Christ have explained in these verses.
Discussion:
1. What are the main differences between the prophecies of Joel and David?
2. What we need to communicate while presenting the Gospel?
3. Three thousand have added as members of the Church or disciples of Christ?
4. Your favorite words in this passage.
5. Have you ever-present Gospel to anyone, and what was the outcome?
(Dear Reader please refer to the series for further study...)
