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Thomas Constable · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 2
Constable on Pentecost - Jews who lived up to 20 miles from Jerusalem were expected to travel to Jerusalem to attend these feasts. Pentecost usually fell in late May or early June. Travelling conditions then made it possible for Jews who lived farther away to visit Jerusalem too. These factors account for the large number of Jews present in Jerusalem on this particular day....God received a "new crop" of believers, Christians, on this particular day of Pentecost." (Acts 2 Commentary) Pentecost is a transliteration of the Greek word pentekoste (from pente = five, cf "Pentateuch" = first five books) and literally means "fiftieth, because this feast is to take place annually 50 days after Passover. Pentecost is used only three times in the NT (Acts 2:1, Acts 20:16, 1 Cor 16:8). This specific word is not found in the Septuagint. The Feast of Weeks is described in Leviticus 23 (commentary) You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. 16 ‘You shall count fifty days (Lxx = pentekosta) to the day after the seventh sabbath (NLT = "Keep counting until the day after the seventh Sabbath, fifty days later"); then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD. 17 ‘You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering, (LOAVES MADE OF WHEAT NOT A SHEAF OF SEPARATE BARLEY STALKS LOOSELY BOUND BUT A "UNION" - LOAF SYMBOLIZED A HOMOGENEOUS BODY OF JEWS AND GREEKS AND THUS A PICTURE OF THE CHURCH. THE BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT UNITED THE 120 INTO ONE "ORGANISM" - cf 1 Cor 12:12-13) made of two-tenths of an ephah; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the LORD. 18 ‘Along with the bread you shall present seven one year old male lambs without defect, and a bull of the herd and two rams; they are to be a burnt offering to the LORD, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD. 19 ‘You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs one year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 ‘The priest shall then wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering with two lambs before the LORD; they are to be holy to the LORD for the priest. 21 ‘On this same day you shall make a proclamation as well; you are to have a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations. (Lev 23:15-21+, cf Nu 28:26-31, Dt 16:9-12) Wiersbe on the significance of the two loaves of bread - On the Feast of Firstfruits, the priest waved a sheaf of grain before the Lord; but on Pentecost, he presented two loaves of bread. Why? Because at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit baptized the believers and united them into one body. The Jewish believers received this baptism at Pentecost, and the Gentile believers in the home of Cornelius (Acts 10). This explains the presence of two loaves of bread (see 1 Cor. 10:17). The fact that there was leaven (yeast) in the loaves indicates the presence of sin in the church on earth. The church will not be perfect until it gets to heaven. (Bible Exposition Commentary )
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Constable points out that there are 6 different kinds of preaching - (1) kerugma, which means proclamation of the clear facts of the Christian message. (2) didache or teaching. This was explanation and interpretation of the facts-the "so what?" (3) paraklesis, exhortation to apply the message. (4) homilia, the treatment of a subject or area of life in view of the Christian message. (5) prophesia, the sharing of a word from God be it new revelation or old. (6) apologia, a defense of the Christian message in the face of hostile adversaries. Often the speaker combined two or more of these kinds of address into one message as Peter did in the sermon that follows. Here we find defense (Acts 2:14-21), proclamation (Acts 2:22-36), and exhortation (Acts 2:37-41). (Acts 2 Commentary) Paul Apple - Here we see the ministry of the chosen apostles beginning; once more Peter functioning as spokesman for the group; This is the first sermon of the Christian era – gives us insight into a number of key elements of preaching – we will see that Christian sermons must be: Authoritative proclamation -- Today’s culture shies away from any type of authoritative declaration -- speak forth, pronounce – not everyday speaking but more of a formal and public discourse; to speak one’s opinion plainly – required boldness – especially in the face of potential persecution by the Jews Consistent with the experience of the preacher; no hypocrisy; must walk the talk - Biblically based – quite a number of different texts used by Peter – yet also characterized by reasonable argumentation Christ centered – especially keying on the crucifixion and resurrection Application focused – requires a response from the hearers (The Spread of the Gospel) Lehman Strauss - Following Peter’s enduement with power by the Holy Spirit, we notice that he expounded the Scriptures. The Pentecostal sermon was authoritative because it was scripturally correct. The copious use of Scripture here instructs us as to what our sermons should be like. Twelve out of the twenty-three verses are direct quotations from the Old Testament. In many quarters there is a total departure in present-day preaching from this Pentecostal procedure. Peter appealed to the inspired Word of God for the answer to the witnessed phenomena. He was preaching the Word. In Paul’s solemn charge to Timothy, he wrote, “Preach the Word” (II Timothy 4:2). This is as it ought to be. The preacher’s message should proceed upon the assumption of the inspiration and infallibility of the Word of God. The true art of preaching is to stay by the “thus saith the Lord.” We are to be ministers of the Word. One word from God’s Book is worth more than all the jewels from all earthly books....In our day there is a drift away from expository preaching of the Bible. Many sermons are long on experience and story-telling but short on Bible teaching. Peter knew the Scriptures and how to apply them. (Pentecost and the Holy Spirit) Messianic Jewish Pastor Steve Kreloff gives this illustration - The first time a man gives the sermon can be a very frightening experience and can be nerve-racking unnerving. I know that I was extremely nervous the first time I ever gave a sermon in my experience I know it’s not unique because over the years I will serve many young men go through the same kind of anxiety that I had when I gave my first sermon. One of the reasons for such nervousness is because usually sitting in the audience is your pastor from someone you’ve heard give hundreds of sermon and it can be a little intimidating to have him there because you really don’t know what you’re doing and you know that he knows that you don’t know what you’re doing. Well that was the experience of students who attended Charles Spurgeon's preachers college where one of the requirements was to give a sermon to Mr. Spurgeon and the staff of the college. Much more this sermon had to be given on the spot there was no time to prepare. So you had him preach before the "prince of preachers." Talk about intimidating! On one occasion a student was given the subject of Zaccheus on which to preach (Lk 19:1-10). You remember Zaccheus was "a wee little man." The student stood up before Mr Spurgeon and the staff and said "Zaccheus was of little stature. So am I! Zaccheus was up a tree. So am I! | Zaccheus came down. So will I!" And with that he sat down. That was his sermon. At least he had three points and some application! I don’t think anyone can top the bad experience of Ron Walters who is the vice President of Salem radio. I've never heard anything more difficult. Listen to what happened to him you will forever have sympathy for a man preaching his first sermon. It was titled "Called to Abundant Labors." The whole notion was concocted by the church busy bodies on the Christian education committee who thought it would be great sport have a couple of ministry minded teenagers would preach on a Sunday night you know churches version of American Idol. The evening service opened as always with a little singing, boring announcements, an offering and then it was our turn. The other guys' spoke first. At 14 we were the age and I assumed of equal talent. I was wrong. He started smoothly opening with a little joke. I feigned a laugh. He gestured confident and the crowd seemed impressed. His three points were alliterated and he was quickly getting on my nerves. He quoted scripture from memory followed by the pastors loud "Amen." My competition was on a roll. "Please God make him stop." When he finished the place eruptured with cheers. Then it was my turn. Stepping to the microphone I thought ominously like walking the plank. I was too nauseous to be nervous. Oone final adjustment to my clip on tie caused it to plop in to the standing glass of water spilling onto my hand written notes causing the ink to run. My sermon notes now look like finger paintings. The crowd began to giggle. My knees weren't knocking, they were missing! I had no joke, no outline, no rhyme or reason. Twelve minutes later I was done. The church with besieged in cold sweats. My mother took her first breath. The pastor cringed. The angels wept. It was the worst night of my life and God in His still small voice said "Get used to a kid, I've called you to preach." Suddenly, the word "He uses the foolish things of this world" had a new meaning. Balaam's donkey looked awfully familiar! What Ron Walters went through and this young man who had to preach in front of Spurgeon were difficult but in a light and humorous way. On a more serious note I don’t think anyone ever faced to more formidable task in preaching his first sermon in the apostle Peter did on the day of Pentecost. First, Peter's audience was made up of some of the same people who 50 days earlier had cried out for Jesus to be crucified. They handed Him over to the Roman authorities. In Acts 2:23 Peter said "you (Jews) nailed (Jesus) to a cross (and) by the hands of godless men (Romans) and put Him to death." In Acts 2:36 he even accused them of murdering Jesus, their own Messiah! Secondly, the sermon was daunting because some of those in the audience were mockers, scoffers! (THINK ABOUT THIS PASTORS!). Third, Peter did not have a good "track record" when it came to courageously standing up for Jesus in a public setting (He publicly denied the Lord with cursings 3 times), before a crowd that could easily have attacked him and the 120 and brought them before the Roman authorities and have them crucified. In spite of all this Peter one of the greatest sermons in all of church history. (Peter's Sermon About Pentecost, Part 1) See table of Parallels in the Ministries of Jesus, Peter, and Paul in Luke–Acts. Table of the Major Speeches and Sermons Preached in the book of Acts PASSAGE AUDIENCE THE APOSTLE PETER Acts 1:16–22 In Upper Room Jews in Jerusalem Jews @ Solomon's Portico Before Jewish council Before Jewish council Household of Cornelius Jews in Jerusalem GAMALIEL Jews in Jerusalem STEPHEN Jews in Jerusalem THE APOSTLE PAUL Jews in Pisidian Antioch Greeks in Athens Church elders in Ephesus Jews in Jerusalem Before Sanhedrin Felix and his court Agrippa and his court Shipmates Acts 28:17-20, 25-28 Jews in Rome Acts 2:15 "For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; KJV Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
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Constable writes "The ultimate cause of Jesus' death was God's plan and foreknowledge, but the secondary cause was the antagonism of godless Jewish and Roman men. Really the sins of every human being put Jesus on the cross." (Acts 2 Commentary) Holman Apologetics Commentary on the Bible - In Scripture, God’s foreordination never eliminates human responsibility. How exactly that works is a mystery hidden in the person, design, and foreknowledge of God. What God calls us to be concerned about is not the nature of how this works, but how we respond to him, for God holds us accountable for our response. (Gospels to Acts) ILLUSTRATION - THE BRIDGE OF GOD! - Near Portland, Oregon there is a bridge over the Columbia River called "the Bridge of the Gods." The name comes from an old Indian tradition that once, long ago, there was a natural bridge there. Sin dug a chasm between man and God. No natural bridge could span the distance. Jesus Christ built the bridge with His Cross. It is truly "The Bridge of God!" The Local Legend - In the Pacific Northwest, near Portland, Oregon, there is a bridge today called The Bridge of the Gods. The name comes from a Native American legend that there once was a great natural land bridge over the Columbia River. Eventually, that bridge collapsed, leaving a great divide. The story became a symbol of something once whole now broken — a separation that cannot be easily crossed. The Spiritual Parallel - Scripture teaches that sin has dug a vast chasm between God and man (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23). Humanity cannot build a “natural bridge” back to God through good works, religion, or morality. Every human attempt falls short. Like the destroyed natural bridge of the legend, the gap is too wide for man to repair. Christ the True Bridge - The gospel declares that Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). By His death on the cross, He spanned the gulf sin had created. His sacrifice reconciles us to God (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). Thus, the cross becomes the Bridge of God — not man’s construction, but God’s provision. Through Christ we now have access into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19–20). The Takeaway - Just as travelers today can cross the Columbia on the “Bridge of the Gods,” so too believers can cross from death to life on the Bridge of God — the cross of Christ. The illustration reminds us that only Jesus provides the way back to God (John 14:6). THE BROKEN BRIDGE TO ETERNAL SEPARATION THE BRIDGE OF RECONCILIATION TO PARADISE The Cross by God’s Design Before the world began to turn, God’s purpose deep, His love did burn. A Lamb was marked, the price was set, A holy debt must yet be met. By wicked hands the nails were pressed, By godless men the Christ was dressed. Yet higher still His Father’s plan, Ordained to save rebellious man. The cross was not by chance or fate, But heaven’s will to expiate. What men meant dark, God turned to light, And death became our soul’s delight. Hallelujah! The work is done, Salvation sealed by God’s own Son. Acts 2:24 "But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. KJV Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. But God raised Him up again Acts 2:32; 3:15,26; 10:40,41; 13:30,34; 17:31; Mt 27:63; Luke 24:1-53; John 2:19-21; 10:18; Ro 4:24; 6:4; 8:11,34; 14:9; 1 Cor 6:14; 15:12; 2 Cor 4:14; Gal 1:1; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12; 1 Th 1:10; He 13:20; 1 Peter 1:21 putting an end to the agony of death Ps 116:3,4,16 since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. Acts 1:16; Isa 25:8; 26:19; 53:10; Hosea 13:14; Luke 24:46; John 10:35; 12:39; He 2:14; Rev 1:18 Acts 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BUT GOD... But - A strategic, decisive, dramatic term of contrast. What is Peter contrasting?
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Constable has an interesting way of explaining this passage - God, a higher Judge, reversed the decision of Jesus' human judges by resurrecting Him. God released Jesus' from the pangs of death (Gr. odinas tou thanatou), namely its awful clutches (cf. 2 Sa 22:6; Ps. 18:4-6; Ps 116:3). A higher court in heaven overturned the decision of the lower courts on earth. It was impossible for death to hold Jesus because He had committed no sins Himself. He had not personally earned the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23), but He voluntarily took upon Himself the sins of others. (Acts 2 Commentary) Since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power - The word "power" is not in the Greek, so the more accurate rendering is "because it was not possible for Him to be held by it." As Paul wrote “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” (1 Cor 15:55).
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Constable - David referred to himself as God's devout (hosios) one. Peter saw this fulfilled literally in Jesus' resurrection from the grave after only three days. Jesus was the supremely devout One. (Acts 2 Commentary) Decay (corruption)(1312)(diaphthora from diaphtheiro = to corrupt, destroy, perish) refers to the decay or decomposition of the physical body. It is used only in Acts and always in reference to bodily decay after death (Acts 2:27; Acts 2:31; Acts 13:34; Acts 13:35; Acts 13:36; Acts 13:37). All of these uses in Acts are in the context of the a description of the resurrection of Christ. In the Septuagint diaphthora often translates the Hebrew word for pit (shachath) (Ps 9:15, 30:9, "destructions" in Ps 107:20) or another word for pit (beer Ps 55:23) Zodhiates points out that diaphthora "It does not refer to extinction but to the change of the present constitution of the body or the change of the moral makeup of a person." (Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament) Diaphthora - 23x in 23v in the Septuagint - Job 33:28; Ps. 9:15; Ps. 16:10; Ps. 30:9; Ps. 35:7; Ps. 55:23; Ps. 107:20; Ps. 140:11; Prov. 28:10; Jer. 13:14; Jer. 15:3; Jer. 51:8; Lam. 4:20; Ezek. 19:4; Ezek. 19:8; Ezek. 21:31; Dan. 3:25; Dan. 6:23; Dan. 10:8; Hos. 11:4; Hos. 13:9; Zeph. 3:6; Wayne Grudem discusses the phrase in the Apostle's Creed "“[He] was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead.”" He writes that "Support for the idea that Christ descended into hell has been found primarily in five passages: Acts 2:27; Romans 10:6–7; Ephesians 4:8–9; 1 Peter 3:18–20; and 1 Peter 4:6. (A few other passages have been appealed to, but less convincingly.) On closer inspection, do any of those passages clearly establish this teaching? (GRUDEM DOES NOT THINK SO) Acts 2:27. This is part of Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, where he is quoting Psalm 16:10. In the King James Version the verse reads: “because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Does this mean that Christ entered hell after he died? Not necessarily, because another sense is certainly possible for these verses. The word “hell” here represents a New Testament Greek term (Hades) and an Old Testament Hebrew term (שְׁאֹול, H8619, popularly translated as Sheol) that can mean simply “the grave” or “death” (the state of being dead). Thus, the NIV translates: “Because you will not abandon me to the grave nor will you let your Holy One see decay” (Acts 2:27). This sense is preferable because the context emphasizes that Christ’s body rose from the grave, unlike David’s, which remained in the grave. The reasoning is: “My body also will live in hope” (v. 26), “because you will not abandon me to the grave” (v. 27). Peter is using David’s psalm to show that Christ’s body did not decay—he is therefore unlike David, who “died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day” (v. 29 NIV). Therefore this passage about Christ’s resurrection from the grave does not convincingly support the idea that Christ descended into hell. Related Resource: These resources have slightly different answers. Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection? - Gotquestions.org What does the Apostles' Creed mean when it says that Jesus descended into hell? - Ligonier Ministry Did Jesus Spend Saturday in Hell? - John Piper Acts 2:28 'YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.' KJV Acts 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. You have made known to me the ways of life - Ps 16:11; 21:4; 25:4; Pr 2:19; 8:20; John 11:25,26; 14:6 You will make me full of gladness with Your presence - Ps 4:6,7; 17:15; 21:6; 42:5; He 12:2 Acts 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries In Acts 2:25-36 Peter presents five (some say four) proofs for the resurrection of the Christ, the Messiah: The prophecy of David (Acts 2:25–28 quoting Ps 16:8-11). The testimony of Peter (Acts 2:29–31 alluding to Ps 132:11 and 2 Sa 7:12-13). The eye-witnesses (Acts 2:32). The supernatural events of Pentecost (Acts 2:33) The exaltation and ascension of Jesus, David's "greater Son" (Acts 2:34–35 - quoting Ps 110:1). THE WAYS OF LIFE Here are David's words from Psalm 16:11... Ps 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Maclaren (APPLYING IT TO DAVID) - The correspondence between his effort of faith in Ps 16:8 and his final position in Ps 16:11 is striking. He who sets Jehovah continually before himself will in due time, come where there are fulness of joys before God’s face; and he who here, amid distractions and sorrows, has kept Jehovah at his right hand as his counsellor, defender and companion, will one day stand at Jehovah’s right hand, and be satisfied forever more with the uncloying and inexhaustible pleasures that there abide. You have made known to me the ways of life - "Peter's quote of verse 11 of Psalm 16 has puzzled some commentators, since it doesn't appear to advance his argument. The phrase the ways of life (the Hebrew text of Psalm 16:11 uses the singular "path of life"), however, can be interpreted as a reference to the resurrection. It would thus have the sense of "the path to resurrection life." The context strongly implies such an interpretation. As a result of the resurrection, Messiah would be full of gladness as He experienced God's presence." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) POSB - David’s prophecy concerned Jesus’ revelation, His revealing the ways of life and God’s presence. The Hebrew original reads “the path of life.” This is a marvelous declaration, a declaration that reveals the most glorious truth. God revealed the path of life to Christ, and Christ reveals it to us. The path of life, the way to escape death is to live in the countenance and presence of God. God will never abandon a man, never allow a man to see corruption if that man lives and walks in His presence. Jesus knew the path: it was God’s presence. Note: He was full of the joy of God’s presence. (So should we be.)
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Constable - Public church buildings were unknown until the third century. At the time chapter two records, there was no significant opposition to the Christian movement, though there was, of course, difference of opinion about Jesus. The believers enjoyed the blessing of their Jewish brethren. People trusted Christ daily, and the Lord added these to the church so that it grew steadily. Luke, in harmony with His purpose (Acts 1:1-2), stressed the Lord Jesus' work in causing the church to grow (Acts 2:47; cf. Mt. 16:18). (Acts 2 Commentary) Was adding (4369)(prostithemi from from prós = to or besides + títhēmi = to put) means to join to. 3000 were added to the 120. The Body of Christ was growing in numbers. And in Acts 2:47 this same verb is used again to describe the fact that "the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved." Again in Acts 5:14 we read that "multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number." And as a result of Barnabas' Spirit filled and faith filled ministry "considerable numbers were brought to the Lord." (Acts 11:24). Day by day - Day by day means souls were continually being saved. Their winsome witness was a "sweet aroma of the knowledge" of the Messiah permeating the air in Jerusalem and Luke says for some it proved to be "an aroma from life to life," as souls were being saved by believing in Messiah. The Lord was adding - The clear implication is that the disciples were filled with the Spirit and boldly witnessing of Jesus their resurrected Messiah, and the Spirit was using their proclamation of Christ to sweep souls into the Kingdom of God! The upshot, is that if a church would seek to imitate the "First Baptist Church of Jerusalem" today, that church would be an evangelizing, Gospel speaking (and Gospel living - cf the winsome witness of their supernatural unity, joy, sincerity, etc), soul winning church! And the Lord would be adding to that church those who were being saved! Yes Lord, do it again in Jesus' Name and for His glory. Amen And another reason the Lord would be adding to this church is because it was a DISCIPLE MAKING CHURCH, "teaching (the new believers) to observe (enabled by the Spirit) all that" Jesus commanded (Mt 28:20). These new believers would be discipled by the apostles' teaching" (Acts 2:42). It is my firm belief that the modern church has failed to follow this pattern. How many churches do you know where the older, more mature men of One Book, who have walked with Jesus for 20-40 years, are discipling the young men in the 20-40 year old group? Sadly, many churches put these older believers "out to pasture" and the tragedy is they can then no longer pass on the wisdom that comes only with decades of abiding in Jesus and His Word. I pray your church is the exception and praise God that you are the exception. John Phillips on the Lord was adding - That is the only way anyone can be added to the church. The Lord adds to its members those He saves. "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it" (Ps. 127:1). The church does not grow by adding to its rolls the names of baptized infants. It does not grow by high-pressure evangelism and doubtful professions of faith. It grows as the Lord adds saved people to its numbers. (Exploring Acts) John