On Pentecost day following the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit spoke by the apostles to Jews from many nations gathered in Jerusalem. Peter’s sermon is recorded in Acts 2. Regarding the resurrection of Christ, Peter quoted Psalm 16:8-11 in what the Spirit spoke by David. The words appear Acts 2:25-28 in this way:
“I foresaw the LORD always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.”
Peter’s inspired argument is this: David is not writing of himself for he did indeed die and his body suffered corruption (Acts 2:29); however, he knew God would raise up one of his descendants on the throne because of the oath (Acts 2:30; cf. Psa. 89:3-4; 132:11-12; 2 Sam. 7:12-16). Acts 2:31 states David, as a prophet of God, spoke of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead in Psalm 16. The body and the spirit separate at death (Jas. 2:26). The body of Jesus was not in the tomb long enough to decay. His spirit went into Paradise the same day He died (Lk. 23:43), but did not remain there in Hades (Greek for unseen realm of departed spirits). Jesus was raised from the dead. To be held prisoner by death was impossible for Jesus because of God’s promise.
More than merely proving the resurrection of Christ was prophesied centuries earlier, Peter used Psalm 16 and other statements of David to prove that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, concluding, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Christ is equivalent to Messiah, the terms refer to the anointed one of God of whom so much was said in the Hebrew Scriptures.
As witnesses of the resurrection of Christ, the apostles not only testified that it in fact occurred, but also preached the response God desires people to have to this miracle. Peter did not hold back, but pointed out the guilt of his audience in crucifying Jesus. When asked what to do (Acts 2:37), the inspired apostle replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). How have you responded to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus?
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