"Jesus Is Not Dead”
Acts 2:22-28
As we continue through Acts; we are looking at the sermon from Peter and are on Point 2.
Verses 14-16 is an introduction and testimony as to what is taking place with great power from God.
Verses 17-22 is point 1 as Peter reminds them what Joel said: Joel 2:28-32 Same words as Peter speaks in theses verses.
Vs. 22 “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”
Notice Jesus’ approval was of God.
How often do we wish to be recognized by others?
Peer-pressure can become a deadly tool if we allow the opinions of others to sway our actions.
Jesus did not perform “miracles and wonders and signs” to impress anyone, but He used them to confirm that He was in fact sent to do the Fathers will.
Then Peter said: “as ye yourselves also know:”
Point 2 in Peter’s message:
II. It was God Who Crucified Jesus
Vs. 23 “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”
Determinate - to mark out the boundaries or limits (of any place or thing) 1b to determine, appoint
Counsel - to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded
by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God; - “God not only foreknew that it would be, but determined that it should be, who does all things after the counsel of his own will;”
(John Gill)
a. It would be easy to say that the Roman soldiers put Jesus on the cross and executed Him.
And that would be true in the literal sense.
b. It could be also argued that the religious crowd insisted that they crucify Jesus as we know was true in Matthew 27:22-25 “Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”
Although this is true we still have not seen the whole picture.
c. It was God who placed Jesus on the cross.
God placed His son on the cross by using others:
By wicked hands - Greek: “through or by the hands of the lawless or wicked.” This refers, doubtless, to Pilate and the Roman soldiers, through whose instrumentality this had been done.
(1) The Jews had not the power of inflicting death themselves.
(2) The term used here, “wicked,” is not applicable to the Jews, but to the Romans. It properly means lawless, or those who had not the Law, and is often applied to the pagan.
(3) The punishment which was inflicted was a Roman punishment.
(4) It was a matter of fact that the Jews, though they had condemned him, yet had not put him to death themselves, but had demanded it of the Romans. But, though they had employed the Romans to do it, still they were the prime movers in the deed; they had plotted, and compassed, and demanded his death, and they were, therefore, not the less guilty.”
(Albert Barnes / Barnes Notes)
It was God Who Raised Jesus From The Dead
Vs. 24 “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”
A side thought. The resurrection was done by God:
God The Father: Acts 2:24a “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death:”
God The Son: John 10:18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
God The Holy Spirit: Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Having loosed the pains of death - “it means to make free or to liberate. The idea is of untying a band, because the word translated “pains” often means “a cord or band.”
That is why Paul could pen such victorious words concerning death.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Because it was not possible he should be holden of it: - Jesus was not under the bondage of death because there was no sin in Him; therefore death had no grip on His body.
Resurrection is the proof that Jesus was:
1. Sinless
2. Enough to take away the sins of me and you.
3. Jesus was who He said He was… The Son Of God/God in the flesh.
Verses 25-28 Peter is summarizing Psalm 16:8-11 reminding those who were listening that David understood the task of the Messiah concerning His death, burial, and resurrection.
Act 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Psalm 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Act 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Psalm 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Act 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Conclusion:
The message from Peter is still the message that is life changing to the world today:
Jesus paid the price of my sin so that I may find forgiveness through Christ alone.
Jesus said it best in John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
It is clear that when the Gospel message is preached men and women alike can and will respond.
Vs. 37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Trust Christ alone for your salvation!
