Acts 2:35 - Printer Friendly

Peter is finishing his explanation about how David's words in Psalm 110:1 refer to Jesus, not David himself. Peter has already shown how the first two lines, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand,'" can't refer to David. David is calling the Messiah his "Lord," and David certainly didn't rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and sit at God's right hand.

It is true that David had many military battles and attributed his victories to God (see Psalm 18), but the enemies referred to in Psalm 110:1, quoted here in Acts 2:35, are Jesus' enemies: including the Antichrist, Satan, sin, and the ultimate enemy, which is death (1 Corinthians 15:26). The suggestion that Jesus waits for God to defeat His enemies is an interesting one. The author of Hebrews reaffirms it in Hebrews 10:12–13. In Philippians 2:1–9, Paul explains that Jesus voluntarily submitted Himself to God and took on the role of a servant. In return, God has exalted Jesus' name so that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10–11).

When will this ultimate victory happen? We don't know. When Jesus was on earth, while He was subduing the power of His deity, even He didn't know (Mark 13:32). Moments before He ascended into heaven, the disciples asked again when He would come and save Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus responded, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority" (Acts 1:7).

"Footstool" is from the Greek root word hypopodion. This is like calling something an "underfoot" in English. In common practice, it means a stool or resting place for one's feet. As a metaphor, it refers to the tradition of military leaders to place their feet on the necks of those they had conquered. Jesus' enemies will be completely vulnerable and in complete subjection to Him. We don't know when, but we do know at least one thing: God will do it, not us (John 18:36).

Acts 2:14–36 transcribes the first sermon ever given by a Christian. The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised (John 14:16–17) has come upon 120 of His followers in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15; 2:1–4). They immediately start speaking in different languages, shocking a crowd of Jews and proselytes who are in town to celebrate Pentecost (Acts 2:5–11). Some of the crowd dismiss the speech as nonsense; others are very interested (Acts 2:12–13). Peter, combining his natural enthusiasm as spokesman for the group with wisdom from the Spirit, responds by obeying Jesus and being His witness (Acts 1:8).

Acts 2 describes the beginning of the church in three episodes. First, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem, equipping them with the ability to teach the gospel in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Second, Peter gives a public declaration using Old Testament prophecy to show Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Acts 2:14–36). Third, people believe. They repent, trust Jesus will forgive their sins, and agree to be baptized as a public sign that they are now Jesus-followers (Acts 2:37–47). That quickly, the church is born.

Acts 2 describes the creation of Jesus' church. Forty days after Jesus' resurrection He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). One hundred and twenty disciples obeyed His command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 2–15). In Acts 2, they receive the Holy Spirit and share the gospel with a crowd of people who have come to celebrate Pentecost. Three thousand believe, and the church comes to life. In the following chapters, Jesus-followers fulfill Jesus' promise that they will be His witnesses ''in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'' (Acts 1:8).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.