Acts 2:13-28

(PRT)

v. 13 Others, though, mocked in derision: “They are drunk on new, sweet wine!” v. 14 Then Peter stepped up along with the Eleven and in a loud voice spoke to the people above the clamor: “Judeans and those living in Jerusalem, you know well all that has happened here. So, listen to what I’m saying!” v. 15 “For these people are not drunk as you assume! Really! It’s only nine in the morning!” vv. 16-17 “But this is what the prophet Joel has declared: ‘God says that this is what it will be like in the last days – I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’ v. 18 ‘Yes, in those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my bondservants, men and women, and they will prophesy.’  vv. 19-20 ‘In the last days, I will show you miraculous signs when you look up in the heavens and supernatural wonders on the earth below. Blood – Fire – Billows of smoke! The sun of the day will become dark as night and the moon will turn blood-red! All this before that great and glorious day the Lord arrives!’ v. 21 ‘Here’s how it will be: when anyone calls on the Lord’s name, they will be saved.’” v. 22 People of Israel, pay attention to what I say next: You know personally that this man, this Jesus the Nazarene was approved by God through powerful works, miraculous signs, and supernatural wonders that God did by him right where you live. v. 23 By God’s firm and deliberate plan and knowledge he was handed over by unbridled lawless power; he was violently taken away and you crucified him. v. 24 This same man, God raised up and destroyed the agonizing chains of death, as if those chains could really hold him in the grave. vv. 25-27 Even David said this about him: “I envisioned the Lord before me continually; because he is always right beside me, I will not be shaken. Because of this, my heart celebrates and tongue rejoices and I will always live in hope. For you will not leave my soul helpless in the grave or let your holy one experience decay and decomposition.” v. 28 “For you have shown me the way of full life; you have filled me to overflowing with joy in your Presence.”

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

v. 13 Others, though, mocked in derision: “They are drunk on new, sweet wine!”

This is the new wine, sweet and powerful. But, as Peter says, 9 am is too early for a wine-drenched street party. Some in the throng were chalking this experience and this declaring in different languages to tanked-up celebrants.

v. 14 Then Peter stepped up along with the Eleven and in a loud voice spoke to the people above the clamor: “Judeans and those living in Jerusalem, you know well all that has happened here. So, listen to what I’m saying!”

He is addressing those who live here among the larger throng because they live here and saw who Jesus is and what He does right in their back yard. He is calling on their affirmative testimony to show the crowd in the presence of many witnesses, Jesus is the Messiah.

The word for “saying to you” is the same as “gift” that they were given just before. His intent is to give them a gift in this proclamation just like the Father gave them the gift.

v. 15 “For these people are not drunk as you assume! Really! It’s only nine in the morning!”

See notes above. And Peter in a reasoned short rebuttal shuts down the scoffers.

vv. 16-17 “But this is what the prophet Joel has declared: ‘God says that this is what it will be like in the last days – I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’

Note how Peter’s mind has a greater grasp of the Movement and how the prophets (like Joel) declare the Good News of the Kingdom. This passage fits the day when God’s people celebrate His goodness for today and worship Him for what He will do in the future. It’s an annual focus with a last days meaning.

Pour out alludes to the rain from heaven that pours out on all.  This passage asserts that God will pour His Spirit out on all people.

God has acted throughout history up till this moment through the work of His Spirit among His people. Now, He acts through the work of His Spirit within His people

v. 18 ‘Yes, in those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my bondservants, men and women, and they will prophesy.’

Here, Luke uses a double word that means something like “and even more.” If you think God is generous with His gifts with your sons and daughters and you who are young and you who are older, He will be generous to the lowest among you, the bondservants, the slaves. At least, this is how it can be interpreted. Later, in Paul’s theology, a bondservant could be anyone who swore allegiance to follow Jesus. Here, this wasn’t a common image to use, and Peter’s intent is to communicate at their level.

vv. 19-20 ‘In the last days, I will show you miraculous signs when you look up in the heavens and supernatural wonders on the earth below. Blood – Fire – Billows of smoke! The sun of the day will become dark as night and the moon will turn blood-red! All this before that great and glorious day the Lord arrives!’

Joel says “great and terrible day of the Lord.” Terrible as in fearful. Blood, fire, billowing smoke, the sun covered over with darkness, all these images suggest the conflicts of the last days. This separates these verses, though. How are these miraculous signs and supernatural wonders?

v. 21 ‘Here’s how it will be: when anyone calls on the Lord’s name, they will be saved.’”

Mark 4:35-36 “Look the fields are white and ready to harvest.” The first-fruits are here in this passage and this is the invitation to say yes to Jesus. And he explains what Jesus requires in this yes in the coming verses.

v. 22 People of Israel, pay attention to what I say next: You know personally that this man, this Jesus the Nazarene was approved by God through powerful works, miraculous signs, and supernatural wonders that God did by him right where you live.

Peter appeals to what they already know. Jesus is approved by the Father. He has the mark of the Father throughout his ministry.

v. 23 By God’s firm and deliberate plan and knowledge he was handed over by unbridled lawless power; he was violently taken away and you crucified him.

This could also be he was handed up violently by lawless men or men of power who disregarded the law of Moses. The unbridled lawless power was the collusion of a greedy servant (Judas) who was influenced by Satan with a bunch of Pharisees with the money and influence to make it happen.

v. 24 This same man, God raised up and destroyed the agonizing chains of death, as if those chains could really hold him in the grave.

The word agony applies more often to the laboring mother as she is in agony. The work for destroy applies to cords and shackles that bind and are loosened or destroyed.

vv. 25-27 Even David said this about him: “I envisioned the Lord before me continually; because he is always right beside me, I will not be shaken. Because of this, my heart celebrates and tongue rejoices and I will always live in hope. For you will not leave my soul helpless in the grave or let your holy one experience decay and decomposition.”

Psalm 16. This was and is even now moreso a Messianic psalm. Live on hope means to set up the tent but also that the foundation of the tent site is hope. Live on hope, not a sustenance but as foundation.

v. 28 “For you have shown me the way of full life; you have filled me to overflowing with joy in your Presence.”

The path toward real life, as opposed to the death that held him for three days.

Small Group Questions:

Acts 2:13-28

1. What word describes how you feel about speaking in front of people? Have you ever been nudged by God’s Spirit to speak up in front of others? What happened?
2. In these verses, Peter reminds everyone of what they have seen. What does he say they have seen in relation to Jesus?
3. Have you ever “seen” evidence of God’s working visibly? What happened and how did it impact you?
4. Peter uses a passage from the prophet Joel. Read these verses again out loud. Where in these different kinds of people on whom the Spirit is poured out are you?
5. How important is v. 21 to the rest of this passage?
6. How can we pray for you today?