Chapter Two — Part Four: The Book of Acts
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 01/31/2021
Foundation Scriptures:
Acts 2:25-41
1. Prophecy Fulfilled.
a. In the forty days between His resurrection and ascension, Jesus expounded the scriptures to the disciples, showing them Himself in them.
b. Peter began to preach his first Holy Ghost sermon—sharing this revelation with the crowd—and references six (passages) of prophetic scripture, which were directly fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
c. In Acts 2:25-28, Peter quotes from Psalm 16:8-11.
d. Acts 2:25a NKJV — For David says concerning Him:…
e. David was not speaking of himself in these passages, but he was speaking prophetically concerning Jesus.
f. It was as if Jesus was speaking directly through David in His own words.
2. Sacrifice.
a. Acts 2:25-26 AMPC
b. Jesus went to the cross in faith, trusting the Father to raise Him from the dead.
c. It was not a light or easy undertaking—He sweated great drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion—but He had covenanted to obey the Father and sacrifice Himself as an offering for our redemption.
d. Jesus—for the joy of reconciling us to the Father—endured the cross and despised the shame (Heb. 12:2).
e. Jesus took our place—the wrath of a righteous God was poured out on His own Son—the price was paid; He bore our sins and suffered the punishment we deserved (Isaiah 53:10-11).
f. 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV — For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
g. We were crucified with Christ, we were in Him, when He died and when He rose again (Galatians 2:20).
3. Raised Up.
a. Acts 2:27 AMPC — For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or see destruction [of the body after death].
b. Psalm 16:10a AMPC — For You will not abandon me to Sheol (the place of the dead).
c. The Hebrew Word for “hell” is “Sheol” and the Greek Word is “Hades.”
d. The soul (spirit) of man is immortal and will not be dissolved by death, nor ever cease to exist.
e. Only the body goes to the grave (physical resting place)—it is the only part of man that is made dust (Gen. 2:7; 3:19; Jas. 2:26).
f. Hell, and the grave, are two different places—and the two words should never be used interchangeably.
g. Before Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead, all souls—those counted righteous and those who were wicked—went to Sheol/Hades—and were held in separate compartments (Lk. 16:19-31).
h. Acts 2:29-31
i. The patriarch, David, died and was buried, but he foresaw and prophesied the resurrection of Christ—that He was not deserted [in death] and left in Hades (the state of departed spirits), nor did His body know decay or see destruction (Verse 31 AMPC).
j. Jesus Christ—His spirit/soul—was not left in hell, because death and hell had no legal right to hold Him.
k. Christ’s body did not see corruption or decay but was raised from the dead—not just a spirit being—but as an eternal, immortal flesh and bone body (Lk. 24:37-43; Jn. 20:25-29; Zech. 13:6; Acts 1:11).
l. After His resurrection, Jesus Christ rescued the righteous souls out of the compartment of hell known as “Abraham’s Bosom” and took them to heaven with Him when He ascended on high (Heb. 2:14-15; Eph. 4:8-10).
m. Since Jesus has shed His blood and then poured it out on the heavenly Mercy Seat, the soul (spirit) of a person who believes and is saved, goes straight to heaven at death (2 Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11).
n. But wicked souls continue to go to hell—until the resurrection (Isa. 14:9; Rev. 20:11-15).
4. Exalted.
a. Peter continued his sermon:
b. Acts 2:32-36 AMPC — This Jesus God raised up, and of that all we [His disciples] are witnesses. 33 Being therefore lifted high by and to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit, He has made this outpouring which you yourselves both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens; yet he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand and share My throne 35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet. 36 Therefore let the whole house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt and acknowledge assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (the Messiah) — this Jesus Whom you crucified.
c. Not only was Christ raised from the dead, but He was exalted to the right hand of the Father (Mt. 26:64; Mk. 16:19; Acts 7:56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22).
d. He is Lord and Messiah—King of kings and Lord of Lords!
e. Acts 2:37 AMPC — Now when they heard this they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (special messengers), Brethren, what shall we do?
f. They came under Holy Ghost conviction!
g. Acts 2:38 AMPC — And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
h. It is a package deal—repent, be baptized in water, and you can/will receive the Holy Spirit!
i. Acts 2:39 AMPC
j. The promise of the Holy Spirit is available to ALL!
k. You, your children, those who are far away (the gentiles)—as many as the Lord calls and invites to Himself.
l. Acts 2:40-41 AMPC
m. Peter continued to preach—those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized and, that day, 3000 were added to the Church.
5. Filled with His Life and Joy.
a. Psalm 16:11 AMPC
b. Acts 2:28 AMPC
c. Those who know Jesus, know and experience the path (the ways) of Life.
d. In His presence is fullness of joy.
e. When we receive Jesus, He comes to live in us, and WE are filled with His presence and filled with His joy!