22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man [ u ]attested to you by God with [ v ]miracles and wonders and [ w ]signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of [ x ]godless men and put Him to death. 24 [ y ]But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the [ z ]agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held [ aa ]in its power. 

Acts 2:22-24 (NASB) 中文

Holy Spirit comes

The Holy Spirit has come as Jesus promised. Speaking in other languages is the manifestation of His coming. It’s convincing proof of His as well. Peter has risen up to preach and explain, by the power of the Spirit, what is happening based on a quote from Joel 2:28-32.

“But it wasn’t enough, because Peter had not yet spoken about the saving work of Jesus on our behalf. Everything until this point had been introduction, explaining the strange things they just saw. Now Peter would bring the essential message.” (Enduringword.com) And he sure does. He lays into them!

Wills collide

Peter knows that Jesus’ death was prophesied and foreknown by God. Yet at the same time, those who crucified and rejected Him are accountable. God’s will and foreknowledge collides with man’s…and God wins! 

Same Peter?

Is this the same Peter who, a few months ago, in the Garden of Gethsemene, fled for his life then denied Jesus three times in the temple court (Matthew 26:69-70)? Well, yes and no. Of course it’s the same man. He is quite bold now in the face of potential persecution. And if we study Peter, we see an outspoken man who often speaks and acts before thinking. We see his boldness.

Now, however, he’s new. He’s born again. The Holy Spirit has filled him and now resides in him. This new power takes the man (and his boldness) and renews him for God’s purposes. As we’ll see, God uses this sermon and the miracle of the Spirit to draw 3,000 to Himself at one time!

RЯeflection

• Make no mistake. This is a true account of a real event. This same power is in all followers of Christ. Are we being filled repeatedly with the Spirit (the literal meaning of Ephesians 5:18)?
• There is solid theology here about God vs. man’s will. They co-exist but how? It’s difficult to understand; impossible to fully grasp. But don’t let that deter you from asking Him to teach you.