In four verses Peter proclaims on Pentecost who “this Jesus” is, what God has done for Him, what the Father has given Him, and what God has made Him be.
This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are witnesses. (Acts 2:32, NKJV)
God raised this Jesus from the dead. He having tasted death for every man was the most dead any man could have been. Called out of the abyss as Son, begotten of the Father, and raised from the dead by the power of indestructible life; Holy Spirit, Peter, and the apostles are witnesses to this. But wait, there’s more.
Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. (Acts 2:33, NKJV)
Exalted to the right hand of God, Jesus is seated. The Father gives this Jesus honor and glory in His titles given before the foundation of the world, now restored to the glorified Son of Man. This Jesus receives from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, which He then pours out upon His disciples, which is being seen and heard. The Holy Spirit is poured out because Jesus is glorified.
“For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” (Acts 2:34-35, NKJV)
David heard the Lord say to His Lord, “Sit.” David being a prophet, saw the resurrection, exaltation, and coronation of the Messiah.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36, NKJV)
This Jesus God has made both Lord and Christ. Christ is Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah, which means Anointed. The Father has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ. The power of these words declaring this Jesus pierces hearts as the crowd calls out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37, NKJV)
This Jesus we are to know and witness. He is the resurrected, exalted, gloried Son of Man. He pours out the Holy Spirit that we see and hear—seated by the Lord as Lord, having been made by God both Lord and Christ. This Jesus continues today as King and Priest, as Savior and Shepherd, as both Lord and Christ, and today let us soften our hearts to hear His voice.
