Now, if you remember in the last lesson, when those of different nationalities began to hear the “the wonderful works of God” (2:11) in their own native language, they were amazed. Others thought it was a joke, accusing the disciples of being drunk. Then in verse 14 Peter stood up to explain, saying, “listen to my words”. Here, “words” is rhema.
At this point we must contrast this with the other word commonly translated “word” and that is logos, which has various meanings depending on the context. It is used to indicate a saying (Matthew 19:22), a discourse (2 Corinthians 10:10), a narrative (“teach” in Acts 1:1), a report (John 21:23) or a discussion (Hebrews 4:2). However, rhema is different in that here it indicates scripture the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance at the appropriate time (compare John 3:34, Romans 10:18, Hebrews 12:19).
The turning back or conversion of Peter after his weakness and failures had been exposed is coming to full fruition. Under the obvious influence of the Holy Spirit he is about to give a detailed, scriptural account of the events of Pentecost and their significance in the days to come. What Jesus had promised (John 14:26, 15:26) and what He told the disciples to wait for in Jerusalem (Luke 24:49) had come to pass – the ministry of the Holy Spirit is becoming evident.
In verses 15-16 Peter says, “These men are not drunk, as you imagine; it’s only 9 o’clock in the morning. Instead, this is the beginning of what was predicted by the prophet Joel.” Then in verses 17-21 Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32. The first thing we need to look at is the term “last days” in verse 17. The Jews understood this to mean “the days of the Messiah” that would begin with His birth and end with His second coming to establish His earthly kingdom as it had been predicted in the Old Testament.
The point Peter is making here is that the coming of the Holy Spirit and the manifestations of the Spirit they were experiencing is the beginning or the partial fulfillment of what Joel predicted. As you read through verses 17-21 it is obvious the complete fulfillment takes place during the future 7-year tribulation period described in the Book of Revelation (which we will look at in great detail in coming lessons).
However, there are characteristics of these “last days” that we need to understand. First, the Holy Spirit will not be withdrawn from the world during the tribulation or at any other time (John 14:16). The ministry of the Holy Spirit and manifestations of the Spirit apply to both men and women and to both Jews and Gentiles, as we will see as we go through the Book of Acts. And finally, God’s plan of redemption will be available to all as long as there are those in need of His deliverance – this includes this present time, the tribulation and the time Christ returns to earth and through His 1000-year reign on the earth (the Millennium). After this, the Father comes to earth to make His permanent dwelling with men (Revelation 21:1-3), Satan is vanquished to his place forever (Revelation 20:10) and the curse is fully removed from the earth (Revelation 21:4-7, 22:3-5).
Then in verse 22 Peter continues his explanation by talking about Jesus, saying, “You men of Israel, listen to what I’m saying.” Here, the original has logos. Now Peter is going to speak to them about what he knows from personal experience. First, that Jesus of Nazareth was approved of God by the miracles, signs and wonders He did in their presence, as they well knew. Then, according to the predetermined plan of God, He was taken by wicked men and crucified (verse 23).
Now, as I said in the last lesson, the resurrection would be the focal point of the apostolic ministry and here it is. In verses 24-32 Peter emphasizes the resurrection, and, I suspect some rhema comes back into play here. In verse 24 he says it was not possible that Jesus’ could be held captive by death. Then in verses 25-28 he quotes David in Psalm 16:8-11 where David speaks confidently of his Lord’s resurrection, as well as his own.
Peter continues in verse 29 saying David was dead and buried and we know where his grave is even today. He continues the next verse with a reference to 2 Samuel 7:12-16 where God swears to David by an oath that He would raise up one of his descendants (Matthew 1:1, 6) to sit on His throne forever. In verse 31 Peter then tells them this is about the Christ, that He was not abandoned in hell and His body did not decay. And what is the point here? The resurrected Jesus was not a spirit or a ghost. He was a flesh and bone man (Luke 24:39). Then, “This Jesus God raised up, and we are all witnesses of that.” (Verse 32) And just for clarification, the “we” is a reference to the eleven disciples that had stood up with Peter (verse 14).
In verse 33 Peter is still talking about the reality of Christ’s resurrection saying He had ascended to sit at the Father’s right hand, a sign of honor and authority. And, what these men were seeing, hearing and questioning was a result of the promised Holy Spirit. Peter then draws a contrast in verse 34 between Christ and David. Both of them had experienced death and had been buried. However, David’s body was still in the grave, he had not yet ascended to God in bodily form. But Christ had been resurrected and had ascended to sit at the Father’s right hand “Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” (Verse 35)
And just to clarify the difference, as we have discussed in previous lessons, Satan had held the souls and spirits of the Old Testament saints captive in Sheol; but they were led out of captivity by Christ and taken to heaven. David was among that group. From that time forward the soul and spirit of all believers goes the presence of God as Paul asserts in 2 Corinthians 5:8 to await the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) to receive a new body like Christ’s own resurrected body (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:42-45).