Acts 2 Study Notes

2:34-35 The third and final OT passage cited by Peter is Ps 110:1. Peter cited David as the authority for his seeing Jesus as seated at God’s right hand, with all of his enemies in full subjection. The basis of this victory and exaltation was Jesus’s resurrection.

2:36 Peter addressed his words specifically to Jews (the house of Israel) and affirmed that Jesus whom they crucified was both Lord and Messiah. By calling Jesus “Lord and Messiah,” Peter was staking the biggest possible claims. “Lord” is reserved in the Greek translation of the OT (the Septuagint or LXX) for God (Yahweh). Thus Peter says Jesus is God. Peter further noted that Jesus was the Messiah (anointed one), Israel’s hope for salvation.

2:37 Peter’s audience was pierced to the heart because they realized their guilt in the execution of Jesus, plus they were convinced by Peter’s passionate eyewitness testimony and his description of how the events surrounding Jesus’s death and resurrection fulfilled OT prophecies about the promised Messiah. This prompted them to ask the question that anyone hearing the gospel should ask, Brothers, what should we do?

2:38 Peter’s answer indicates three major components in conversion. One must repent, which means turning from sin. To be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus publicly declares our repentance and faith, plus it symbolically identifies us with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The Holy Spirit is given as a gift and seal of conversion, empowering the believer for the life of faith.

2:39 One of the major themes of the book of Acts is that the message of salvation through Jesus Christ extends not just to the people of Israel but also beyond them to as many as . . . God will call. The Gentiles were far off in two senses: they were geographically far removed from Israel, but even more significantly they were “far off” from knowledge of the one true God.

2:40 On this corrupt generation, see Ps 78:8. Jesus often referred to “this generation” in the same sense (Mt 12:41).

2:41 In response to Peter’s preaching, Luke commented in an understated way that about three thousand people were added to the community of believers. Note the close link between coming to faith and being baptized. There was apparently no delay between profession of faith and baptism. The large number of converts was made possible by the huge crowds who had traveled to Jerusalem from all over the Mediterranean region for the Passover celebration.

2:42 These four practices—teaching . . . fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer—provide insight into the priorities of early Christianity. These same practices should be considered normative for the church today. The apostles’ teaching was probably similar to Peter’s message at Pentecost. That is to say, it focused on making Christ known by appealing to eyewitness testimony and the prophecies of the OT. Early Christians gathered together regularly for edification, prayer, and exhortation. The breaking of bread probably included fellowship meals and participation in the Lord’s Supper (1Co 11:17-34).

2:43 Being filled with awe is the response to the works of God in the midst of the people (4:30; 5:12).

2:44-45 As part of their fellowship, the early church practiced a community of goods for a short time. Distribution to members of the faith community took place according to individual need. This practice did not last long, likely because it was logistically difficult and fraught with potential abuse (see chaps. 4-6).

2:46 Early Christian gatherings took place in two places: the temple and the homes of individual believers.

2:47 The early church was an evangelizing church. Luke recounted that every day the Lord added to those who were being saved. He did not say how this took place, but it appears that evangelism took place primarily through the gathering of Christians in the temple and in individual houses. The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ were at the heart of early Christian preaching, which called for immediate response from anyone who listened.