Acts 2:37 ESV Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Dear friend, welcome back to the course. In this lesson we’re going to see how the message of the cross “cuts the heart“ and therefore the reason we preach Christ crucified! When we preach or teach we must always remember to share the message of the cross because it is the message that has the power to change, reach, cut and heal the listeners heart.
As you may remember Acts 2 (quoted above) was the day of Pentecost and the disciples of Jesus were all gathered together in one place (Acts 2:1). And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a “mighty rushing wind,” (Acts 2:2) and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them (Acts 2:3). And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, (Acts 2:4) and everyone heard them declaring the glories of God in their own tongue (Acts 2:2-6) although some thought they were drunk (Acts 2:15). And now speaking, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” listen to Peter as he preaches what was uttered through the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16).
Acts 2:22-23 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Question 1: According to Acts 2:23, what is the first part of Peter’s message?
Yes, the very first words spoken by Peter, who was just filled with the Holy Spirit, was the testimony of the cross of Jesus Christ and Him crucified by lawless men. That this Jesus who was from Nazareth, not to be confused with another Jesus, was “attested to you by God with mighty works and signs that He did before your very eyes” (Acts 2:22). This Jesus was crucified and killed by lawless men according to the definite plan of God. God planned for His Son to be crucified at just the right time (Romans 5:6) in order to save and set sinners free, even those lawless men that nailed Him to the tree.
Peter continues his preaching...
Acts 2:24-28 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
Question 2: According to Acts 2:27, when Peter was preaching, what did he say happened to Jesus’ body?