Page 18 - Acts Student Textbook
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"WHOEVER" Here is the universal element again (cf. vv. 17 and 39). Jesus died for the sin/sins of the
entire world (cf. John 1:12; 3:16; 4:42; 1 Tim. 2:4; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:1; 4:14). Notice the
Spirit and His gifts are given to all mankind (cf. v. 17).
"WHO CALLS" This is an AORIST MIDDLE SUBJUNCTIVE. Human response is part of God's plan for salvation
(cf. Joel 2:32; John 1:12, 3:16; and Romans 10:9-13). Individual human beings are called (cf. 2:39) on
to repent (cf. 2:38) and believe the gospel, and to enter into a personal relationship with God
through Christ (cf. 3:16, 19; 20:21; Mark 1:15). Jesus died for the whole world; the mystery is why
some respond to the Spirit's wooing (cf. John 6:44, 65) and some do not (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4).
"ON THE NAME OF THE LORD" This refers to the person, finished work, and teachings of Jesus. It has both
the personal and doctrinal element. It is not a passcode to memorize; it is a relationship to begin!
"WILL BE SAVED" In this context, this refers to spiritual salvation, while in Joel it probably meant
physical deliverance from God's wrath (cf. v. 40). The term "saved" is mostly used in the OT of
physical deliverance (cf. Matt. 9:22; Mark 6:56; James 5:14,20). However, in the NT it was used
metaphorically of spiritual salvation or deliverance from God's wrath (ex. James 1:21; 2:14; 4:12).
God's heart beats for the salvation of all men and women made in His image (cf. Gen. 1:26-27); made
for fellowship!
What proofs did Peter offer for the resurrection? (2:24-32)
Peter offers two proofs of the resurrection: Old Testament prophecies
and eyewitness testimony (2:24-32). In 2:24 he says "God raised Him".
The NT affirms that all three persons of the Trinity were active in Jesus'
resurrection: (1) the Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:11); (2) the Son (cf. John 2:19-
22; 10:17-18); (3) and most frequently the Father (cf. Acts 2:24,32;
3:15,26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30,33,34,37; 17:31; Rom. 6:4,9). Peter
goes on to mention in 2:25 that "For David says of Him" This is a quote
from Ps. 16:8-11. Peter is asserting that Psalm 16 is Messianic (as does
Paul in 13:36; these are the only two quotes of Psalm 16 in the NT) and
that it refers directly to Jesus. Jesus' resurrection is the Psalmists hope
and the NT believer's hope.
Peter then gave an inspired interpretation of Psalms 16:8ff, showing that it applies to Jesus, not to
David who penned it. Although the reference is partially in the first person (“my soul…”), yet the
prediction did not pertain to David Himself; rather, as with many other of David’s prophecies, it
applied to his seed, the Messiah.
Was David a Prophet? (2:29-30)
2:29-30 "David… he was a prophet" The Jews believed that God spoke through prophets. Moses is
called a prophet (cf. Deut. 18:18). The OT books of Joshua, Judges, I and 2 Samuel, and I and 2 Kings
were known in the Jewish canon as "the former prophets." After the death of the last prophet,
Malachi, the rabbis considered revelation as ceasing. It was in this Jewish sense of the term (i.e.,
Scripture writer) that David is considered a prophet. Earlier in the OT God had revealed to Moses (cf.
Genesis 49) that the Messiah would be from the tribe of Judah. In 2 Samuel 7 God revealed that He
would be of the royal line of David. In Psalm 110 God further revealed that He would also be of the
priestly line of Melchizedek (cf vv. 34-35).
2:32 “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses” (ESV). This is the second proof of the
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