Acts 2:33-36 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost… Peter shows — I. THAT IT HAD TAKEN PLACE IN FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY. Again the particular prediction is taken from David. It is a passage applied by Jesus to Himself, to the confusion of the Pharisees, whose silence was a confession of its Messianic character (Matthew 22:42-46). Its fulfilment was by the power of God. The hand is that part of the body by which man puts forth his strength, and the right hand is superior to the left; and God, condescending to human ways of speech, represents the exercise of His power as the work of His right hand. Creation was done by a word; but this concluding act of redemption demanded the putting forth of Jehovah's power. II. THAT IT HAD TAKEN THE REDEEMER TO HIS HEAVENLY CONDITION. He was exalted, that He might "sit at the right hand of God" (cf. Matthew 26:64; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1). This condition is marked by — 1. A continuous quiet dominion. (1) He has dominion, being "at the right hand of the Majesty on high," and that dominion involves "all authority in heaven and in earth."(2) But He rules in quietness and rest. Having finished His great work, He "sits." Angels, being evermore on duty (Hebrews 1:14), stand about the throne. God says not to them, "Sit on My right hand."(3) This dominion will continue until its Mediatorship has answered its purpose. 2. Perfect happiness (Psalm 16:11). The great joy had been set before Him, and had sustained Him in sorrow. Let His consummate blessedness show as the good placed within the reach of man. 3. The subduing of His foes. The allusion is to the ancient custom of conquerors to set their feet upon the necks of the vanquished.Who are His foes? 1. The Jews, who were subdued when their nationality was destroyed. 2. The Romans, who were subdued when their empire was comprehended in Christendom. 3. The pagans, that still remain. These will be subdued when the gospel has been preached to all nations for a witness. 4. Men and women in Christendom who still reject Him. They also will see their folly and sin, and acknowledge Him either too soon or too late. 5. Sin and Satan, but these will be cast out. 6. Death. "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." III. THAT IT WAS DECLARED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE BY EVENTS NOW TRANSPIRING. "He hath shed forth this," etc. These events — 1. Showed that the Holy Spirit had been given. This Peter does not tire of repeating. Its importance demanded its repetition, and does so still. But Jesus had said that unless He went to the Father the Holy Spirit would not come. Therefore His manifest presence proved the ascension. 2. Were a fulfilment of the Father's promise. The promise made through the prophets had been repeated to Jesus, and by Him to the apostles; and He was now gone to receive what was promised. This was the simple, straightforward explanation of what was happening. 3. Were brought about by Jesus Himself. "He hath shed." During His ministry He had wrought unnumbered miracles, every one of which displayed Divine power, and He was but continuing what He had begun (Ephesians 4:8). 4. Were in themselves wonderful. "This which ye now see and hear." Explanation was not attempted. What was seen and heard was enough to work conviction. IV. In the ascension Peter finds THE CONCLUDING-POINT OF HIS ARGUMENT — viz., that Jesus was Lord and Christ. Then they had crucified the Messiah. No wonder they were pricked in the heart. In conclusion, see here — 1. The means to be employed by preachers: the facts M history and experience, with interpretations from the Word of God. 2. The end to be aimed at by preachers — that personal conviction which prepares sinners to accept Christ. (W. Hudson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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