[Peter is addressing a crowd in Jerusalem on the Pentecost following Jesus’ death and resurrection which the disciples/apostles and others witnessed.]
22 - “Fellow Israelites, listen to this. Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge. And you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” (Another version - “But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out..” 🤔?God knew that sending His representative to the world - a Light so bright, into the darkness - the darkness, the world was sure to kill him. So(!) God would use it to deliver all from Satan’s treacherous trickery - which God also foreknew, aNd, allowed. After all it’s noT a total ant farm that God is after! But there does have to be total herd immunity! To all and any darkness. Parable of the decomposing apple and the worm that does noT quit! Prognosis of decomposition is? And it’s an abyss of potential, already PROVEN by history. “GOD has subjected all to disobedience(/corruption/decay) that He may have mercy upon all” Ro.11:32.)
24 “But God released him from the horror [ódin - a birth pang, agony] of death and raised him back to life, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 King David said concerning him, ‘I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. My body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to (the grave) sheol, you will not let your holy one see decay.” (Jesus most surely spoke Aramaic - sheol - Ecclesiastes 9:5,10 - “..the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing.. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in sheol, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Ps.30:9 “..what profit is my death? Will the dust praise you?” Genesis 3:19 “..dust you are..”
We feel the presence of passed on loved ones because they come from another dimension called the future. And or an angel brings us remembrance.)
28 “You have made known to me the paths of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to sheol, his body did not see decay. (No decomposition.) 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. (The believers had gathered, about 120.) 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit(/Presence of God) and has poured out what you now see and hear happening. 34 For David himself, never, ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’ [Cross Ref. - 1Cor.15:22-29, Rev.21:1-5] 36 Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do!” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins [of your hamartion - missing the mark(s)]. And you will receive the (great) gift of the Holy Spirit(/Presence of God). 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 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked [skolios: curved, winding, hence crooked] generation [genea - from ginomai - to come into being].” [“Make straight the way of the LORD!” was John the Baptist’s message.] 41 Those who believed were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the church [believers] that day.
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Very Brief Outline of Acts:
Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).
The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.
The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).
Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest.
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