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GOD MADE JESUS LORD AND CHRIST

Acts 2:22-47

Key Verse: 22:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

  Last week we studied about the Apostles receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. When they were all together in one place and prayed, the Holy Spirit came down like a violent wind and tongues of fire, and they began to speak in other tongues. By enabling them to speak in other languages, God enabled them to carry out His world mission command. Here, we learn that we can overcome our language barriers with the help of the Holy Spirit when we obey Jesus’ world mission command. Amen. Their baptism by the Holy Spirit surprised all the gathered Jews at the temple. At that time, Peter stood up and testified that the coming of the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel. He said that God would pour out his Spirit on all people, that our children will prophesy, young men will see visions, and old men will dream dreams. (2:17)

  Today’s passage is the continuation of Peter’s message to the crowd at Pentecost. In his message, Peter proclaimed that Jesus’ crucifixion was done by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge, and his resurrection and exaltation is the assurance of Jesus’ lordship over our lives. Peter urged the crowd to repent of their sins and receive the forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that God may bless this hour so that the name of Jesus is exalted when we confess that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Amen.

First, God’s set purpose and foreknowledge. (22,23) Look at verse 22. “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” Peter reminded the crowd about Jesus of Nazareth. Who was Jesus of Nazareth? Jesus of Nazareth was the one who had healed the lepers, opened the eyes of those born blind, and raised the dead, including Lazarus at Bethany. Jesus of Nazareth changed water into wine, walked on water, and calmed storms and winds. Jesus of Nazareth was the one who drove out demons and fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus of Nazareth taught them about the kingdom of God and proclaimed freedom from sins. Jesus of Nazareth was a good shepherd, the Promised Messiah, and the Son of God. He is the man accredited by God through miracles, wonders and signs. People witnessed all these miracles and wonders which Jesus had performed.

  Look at verse 23. “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” This man Jesus of Nazareth was handed over to evil men to be crucified. Peter seemed to be condemning the crowd as the worst criminals who had committed the worst crime in human history, since in fact they had killed the Son of God, the Messiah. This was the tragedy of tragedies since evil had overpowered good. But Peter did not see Jesus’ crucifixion that way. He said that Jesus’ crucifixion was done by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge. What was God’s set purpose and foreknowledge? God had planned for Jesus to die on the cross and that God had already acknowledged this.  God had planned this from the beginning. What does this mean?

 In the beginning, God made man in his own image, and said, “It was very good!” (Ge 1:31) God also planted the Garden of Eden, a paradise, and provided all things for men’s happiness. God especially gave men freewill so that men could freely serve God, love him, and work for him. Freedom of choice was the expression of God’s divine love for men and his gift for men’s happiness. However, by Satan’s temptation men did not use their freedom to choose to do what is good but what is evil. Men chose to do evil instead of doing good. Men were cursed and banished from the paradise. Their life was nothing but labor and toil for three meals a day in this cursed world. Finally, all men die and return to the ground, since they are from dust. (Ge 3:19)

  However, in the midst of God’s curse on Satan, God promised to send the world a savior for men through an offspring of a woman. God said in Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”  Here, crushing a serpent’s head indicates Jesus’ resurrection, and striking his heel indicates Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. God had already planned to send the Messiah from the beginning for world salvation.  Since then, God often promised to keep his word through his chosen servants such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, King David, the Prophet Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and so on.

God had already known what the Messiah had to do for the salvation of the world. God revealed through the Prophet Isaiah how the Messiah would suffer and die. Isaiah 53:4-6 says, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” God also revealed how Jesus would be raised from the dead. Isaiah continued, “After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” (Isa 53:11)  

Jesus’ suffering and death did not end in tragedy. It was not the triumph of evil over good. It was God’s divine will to save sinners from eternal condemnation and his divine love for them to receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:10 says, “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” Wait a minute! Then, some may ask, “If God plans all things and knows all my past, present, and future, why am I responsible for my wrongdoings?”  How foolish they are! Our God is absolutely good and just. He does not plan any for evil because he is absolutely good. God is good, but men are evil. As history proves, after men messed up this world with their evilness, God always has fixed it up and mended it for good. God is like a mother who cleans up her children’s room every day.

 Our God also has power to make men’s evil intentions for good. For example, Joseph was Jacob’s eleventh son. Joseph was hated by his brothers and sold to foreign merchants. In Egypt Joseph lived as a slave. He received favor from his master and became a manager in his master’s house. However, he was falsely accused by the master’s wife and imprisoned. His life seemed to go from bad to worse. But, in prison he met royal officers and interpreted their dreams. Because of the interpretation of their dreams, Joseph had a chance to interpret the dreams of King Pharaoh. After gaining favor and honor, Joseph became the second man next to King Pharaoh.  At that time, there was a severe famine in the entire world. Joseph’s brothers came from Canaan to Egypt buy food without knowing that their brother Joseph was in charge of the whole land. After acknowledging that Joseph sat in a position to take away their lives, they were afraid of Joseph. They thought that Joseph would revenge himself on them. But, Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Ge 50:19,20) His brothers sold Joseph out of jealousy and hatred. They did evil. But God used their evilness to work for good, especially to save many lives in the time of severe famine, including his family members. They had intended to harm Joseph, but God intended it for good to accomplish his will. In the same way, people handed over Jesus to Pilate to be killed with the help of the Roman soldiers. They intended evil. But God intended it for good to accomplish his will, which is world salvation.  God let his son die on the cross. This is a mystery, but it is the gospel for us. This reminds us of John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” There is no failure in God. Amen. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Amen. Freedom is the gift of God and the expression of his divine love for us. But men abused God’s grace and misused freedom by choosing what is evil. However, our God is all powerful and merciful and he made all things good for his good purpose. Praise God!

Second, it is impossible for death to keep its hold on Jesus. (24) Look at verse 24. “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Jesus’ resurrection is a great turning point in human history. God raised Jesus from the dead. No one has ever conquered death except for Jesus. All have died and knelt down before the power of death. But Jesus rose again from the dead, free from the agony of death. Peter said that it is impossible for death to keep its hold on Jesus. That is because God raised Jesus from the dead. In the same way, we cannot stop the sun from rising. It is impossible for us to stop the sun from rising because God controls the universe. Death cannot control Jesus, just as darkness cannot overrule light. So the Apostle Paul declared Jesus’ victory over death in this, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Cor 15:54)  Jesus is the everlasting God. (Isa 9:6) There is no death in him. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this” (Jn 11:24,25)

  Since Jesus overcame death, it is completely possible for us to defeat death. Look at Peter. Who was Peter? Once Peter disowned Jesus three times out of fear. But now he boldly and fearlessly delivered the message of Jesus to the crowd. Remember that death never overpowers those who have resurrection faith. It is impossible for death to keep its hold on those who have the Risen Jesus in their hearts. Amen.

  In verses 25-32, Peter explained that Jesus’ resurrection is the fulfillment of God’s prophecy. Peter said that King David also believed in this resurrection and prophesied the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Let us read verses 25-28.  David was a king, a valiant general, a musician and a poet.  He gained all things which human beings desire. But the source of his real joy was not from them, but from the hope of resurrection and of eternal life in God’s kingdom. Look at verses 31,32. “Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.”

Third, God made Jesus both Lord and Christ.(33-36)   After God raised Jesus from the dead, he exalted him highly. God took him to his right side and let all men on this earth confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior. Look at verses 33-35. “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” In this verse, the first word “the Lord” in Hebrew is “Jehovah”, indicating God the Father, and the second word “the Lord” is “Adoni”, Christ Jesus. God the Father promised Jesus to sit on the throne at his right hand after Jesus destroyed the last enemy, which is death. (1 Co 15:26,27) By raising Christ from the dead and taking him to heaven, God the Father exalted his Son Jesus and made him Lord and Savior. Look at verse 36. “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” People crucified Jesus in their ignorance and wickedness. However, God raised him from the dead and made him our Lord and Christ. Here, ‘Lord’ means “King”. Jesus is our King. He is our Savior King. He is a humble king. He is the king of love, obedience, patience, gentleness, and righteousness. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. We must receive Jesus as our King. This means that we let Jesus rule our hearts, our desires, and our plans, and control all things in our lives. He deserves it because he is our king. Jesus is our king and we are his subjects. We submit ourselves to him, follow his word, and grow in his divine nature. When we submit ourselves to Jesus and give him lordship over our lives, we are happy indeed.

  God also made Jesus Christ the Savior.  Christ died for our sins. By his sacrificial death we are saved. He saved us from eternal condemnation. He gave us new and eternal life. Jesus is Lord and Christ. Therefore, he deserves to be exalted, honored, praised, and worshiped. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:9-11. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Amen.

Fourth, Peter’s message of repentance.(37-41) Look at verse 37. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Here ‘they were cut to the heart’ means ‘they were deeply convicted of guilt’.  Peter’s message penetrated their souls like a sharpened sword. They cried out, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  How did Peter reply? Let us read verses 38,39. “Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Repentance is not only regretting what you did wrong. Repentance is confessing your sins and changing your direction from sin to God. Repentance is putting aside your pride and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. When we repent, we receive the Holy Spirit as God’s gift.

Let us read verse 40. “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” We have many things to do in this generation. We have many tasks to accomplish. On top of all this, we must repent and save ourselves from this corrupt generation. When we live according to the godless and corrupt worldly consensus, we will die with them. On the other hand, when we live according to Jesus’ word, we will live with him. Look at verse 41. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

Fifth, the fellowship of the believers (42-47) After Peter’s spiritual revival message at Pentecost, the fellowship of the believers became more active and solid. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. (42,43) The love of God was overflowing in their fellowship. There was no ‘I, my, me, mine.’ All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. (44,45) Whenever they met together, they prayed. Verse 46 says, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.” They were like our St. Louis UBF members who meet every day at the Bible house for prayer and for fellowship.  They broke bread together in their homes and ate with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (46,47) How did God bless this fellowship of the believers? The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.(47b) Many people came to the fellowship not only because they heard the apostles’ teaching but also because they wanted to share in Christ’s love in the fellowship. I pray that our fellowship also may become like this fellowship of the early believers. Here, the word ‘fellowship’ is called in Greek, “Koionia”. I pray that God may bless this Koionia until our numbers increase beyond 120. Amen.

    Here is the way of salvation written in Romans 10:9,10, which says, “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Now let us confess that Jesus is Lord and Savior with our mouth and be saved through faith in him with our hearts. Amen.

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