Daily Bible Reading Sunday 16th February 2020
by William Moody
Acts 2:32–42
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 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?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
(ESV)
As Peter continues focusing on Jesus in his great Pentecost sermon, he now speaks of Jesus’ exaltation (v33). Jesus has been raised to glory to the right hand of God which is the place of all power and authority. Again this was something prophesied by David (v34; Psalm 110 v1). The sending of the Spirit was done by Jesus and evidence of His exaltation.
This proves that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. Lord meaning Jehovah, God Almighty. Christ meaning the anointed one, the promised Messiah.
Christianity stands or falls on who Jesus is and people need to investigate Jesus’ claims to be the Lord and Christ. People need to look at the evidence to see if it is true. The people in Jerusalem were convinced (v37). They were concerned and asked what shall they do.
Peter’s response (v38) is to call them to repent and be baptised as a sign of the salvation they find in Christ. The grace of God is wide and when these people respond there is also wonderful hope for their children (v39).
This is serious business and there is great urgency in Peter as he pleads and warns these people (v40). Do you have this same urgency about your salvation and about the salvation of others?
This was a wonderful day with 3,000 responding in faith. Praise God that His power to save has not changed. Pray for that saving power to move today.
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