Acts 2:28

Acts 2:28 says, Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.  Every Christian should understand that God has made known to us the way of life and He will make us full of joy with His countenance.  When Jesus was beaten and crucified, His followers thought that was the end.  Now, after the resurrection and ascension, what a change.  God making known to us the way of life should make us full of joy. Verse twenty-nine adds, Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.  Peter pointed out that David was still in his grave, but Jesus was not.  The promise to David was fulfilled in Christ.  Christ, not David, sits on the right hand of God.  Verse thirty continues, Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;  Then Peter again stated the truth to the people of Israel.  God has made that same Jesus that they had crucified both Lord and Christ.  As a follower of Christ, God can say to me that this same Jesus that I crucified is both Lord and Christ.  This should fill me with joy no matter the state of the world.  The Gospel has an impact.  I almost said had an impact, but the impact of the Gospel is still valid.  Verse thirty-one states, He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.  Peter continued to discuss the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This had been foretold by the prophets, and as prophesied Jesus did not stay in the grave.  We serve a risen Savior as Christians.  Verse thirty-two adds, This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.  Perter said that there were many witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus, and that he was one of them.  We did not see the physical resurrection of Jesus, but we accept by faith that He did rise again. Verse thirty-three continues, Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.  As Peter said, we don’t need to look for Jesus in the tomb, but at the right hand of the Heavenly Father. Verse thirty-four says, For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Peter said that David did not ascend into heaven as the Messiah, but even said himself that his Lord, the coming Messiah Jesus Christ, was to sit at the right hand of God.  The Jewish people had enough knowledge from God’s word to accept Jesus, but they didn’t, just as too many people today continue to refuse to accept Him as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty-five adds, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.  This has not happened yet, but it will when Jesus Christ returns.  Verse thirty-six continues, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.  Peter said that God had made the same Jesus that the Jews rejected and crucified both Lord and Christ.  Jesus is the only Savior that there is, and we have all at one time or another rejected and crucified Him. Verse thirty-seven says, Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Peter had just told them that they had crucified the Messiah. Messiah.  Those who heard what Perter had said, which was the sharing of the gospel, were pricked in their heart and asked Peter and those with them what they should do.  Hopefully, when we proclaim the gospel today, it will prick the hearts of those hearing it and they will want to know what they need to do, and we should be ready with the answer.  Verse thirty-eight adds, Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and receive the Holy Spirit.  Baptism did not bring the remission of sin, but symbolized the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  Verse thirty-nine continues, For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  Peter said this was a promise from God to their children and them, and even to those who were afar off, which I believe referred to the Gentiles.  Verse forty says, And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  Peter called on them to save themselves from this untoward generation.  Every generation is lost and in need of a Savior.  Verse forty-one adds, Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  Over three thousand people accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and were baptized.  We don’t often baptize people the same day, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a church service where over three thousand people were saved?  Verse forty-two continues, And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Like those early converts, we need to remain steadfast in the gospel and be in prayer for one another.