The One Year New Testament

October 19

Acts 2:22-41

Acts 2:22-41

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 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.

Reflection

In Peter’s first sermon, several elements of gospel proclamation are clear. To begin with, Jesus is Lord (Acts 2:36); he is the fulfillment of God’s promise for an eternal kingdom in the line of David (vv. 29–36). However, the lordship of Jesus poses a huge problem for Peter’s audience because this Jesus is the One “whom you crucified” (v. 36). Furthermore, Jesus did not stay dead —“God raised him up” (v. 24), exalted him, and gave him the Holy Spirit to be poured out on God’s people (v. 33). Therefore, because of their rejection and crucifixion of Christ the Lord, these guilty sinners were “cut to the heart” (v. 37). But Peter explains another crucial component of the gospel: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins” (v. 38). Despite their original rejection of Jesus, those who turn from sin to God (i.e., repent) and identify themselves with Christ by faith (symbolized by baptism) are freely forgiven. The result of this repentance and faith is that we will receive the countless blessings of God’s kingdom, including “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v. 38).

The gospel is good news for all people who have failed to honor God and his Son. Just as Peter proclaimed God’s gracious forgiveness and blessing to the crowd, God’s offer extends to us today: “the promise is . . . for all who are far off” (v. 39). The gospel is not confined by ethnic or geographical boundaries. It is universal in scope. By his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has reconciled to himself all of us who were formerly “far off” from God (Eph. 2:17–19). None are so far removed that God cannot rescue them.

1 Peter 4:12-19

1 Peter 4:12-19

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Reflection

To “obey the gospel of God” (1 Pet. 4:17) is to set our minds and hearts on the truth of the finished work of Christ for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. We are motivated to holy, worshipful lives as we see the glorious beauty of Jesus in the good news of his grace for sinners.

Sadly, those who do not find Christ to be glorious will not receive the grace of Christ’s righteousness to cover them (v. 18), and they will face God’s judgment for their sin. Believers have been freed from this judgment since their sentence was already carried out by Christ on the cross. Those who have been released from the final judgment demonstrate their freedom by doing God’s will and entrusting their souls to their faithful Creator (v. 19).

Psalm 33:22

Psalm 33:22

22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.

Thoughts For Prayer

Christ’s righteousness is what provides our right standing in God’s courtroom. Spend some time declaring your faith in the completed work of Christ, embracing and basking in the gift of his righteousness for you.

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • April 25, 2024

    Supported Workers: Chris and Leanne Harrington

    Country: Japan

    The people of Noto Peninsula on the west coast of Japan are still in recovery after the New Year’s earthquake. A teammate, Tina Lin, has relocated there for at least two to three months to help a local church’s recovery efforts. Please pray that this recovery effort would lead to relationships and opportunities to share Christ. Chris will hand over his SEND leadership responsibilities as they prepare to return to America next month. Pray for a smooth transition and specifically for Paul Suzuki as he leads the mission there.

    Afghanistan (Asia). Population: 43,372,950 Believers: <0.05%.The Church in Afghanistan remains almost entirely underground. Pray for Afghan believers. They can never meet publicly, and even their secret meetings must change times and locations to prevent detection. Pray for protection of these precious believers, and for the clarity and consistency of their witness. From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org