Acts 2:14-36
Dear RTB’ers,
Today, Peter’s first speech, this one to the Pentecost crowd. A quick clarifying note and a bit of “theological geography” – in verse 14 Peter speaks to “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem…” We celebrate today’s reading as the feast of Pentecost. The root word, “Pente” refers to five or its multiples. So Pentecost is fifty days after the Passover, after Jesus’ Resurrection. It was one of three major feasts in Israel, where Jews from nearby and from afar came to Jerusalem to celebrate the “Ingathering” or “First Fruits”. Peter may not have known of the geographic disparity of the crowd described in verses 9-11. But he probably knew that the crowd recognized him and his colleagues as Galileans (v. 7). Their Galilean identity would have been recognized by the “locals”, more so than by those from distant lands, so he addressed his speech to “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem…”
My Study Bible pointed out some general Acts speech items that we will see again in similar fashion in chapters 3, 10, and 13:
- An explanation of events
- Jesus’ life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension
- An exhortation to repentance and baptism/salvation.
It’s a good pattern for us to follow in sharing our faith with unbelievers, especially (2) and (3).
I’m always amazed at how well Peter and Paul and Philip (Acts 8:26-40) and Jesus! knew their Old Testament prophets and psalms and could quote them word-for-word (Acts 2:17-21, 34-35). No doubt this was part of their upbringing in Jewish families. Their home-schooling was more Scripture than math and rhetoric. In addition, I’m guessing that Jesus used these Scriptures to explain His own death and Resurrection, both before and after His Resurrection, so He built into the apostles even more familiarity with specific psalms and prophecies.
Finally, Peter speaks, but does not explain a fundamental theological point, “But God raised Him from the dead, … since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” (v. 24, NASB) We could go deep into sin and death, but Paul says it most simply, “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) As a completely innocent human being, Jesus did not deserve to die. His Resurrection undid that wrongful death, never to die again. As we say every Sunday, “By His Resurrection He broke the bonds of death, trampling Hell and Satan under His feet.” Our liturgy. Sweet!
Blessings!