Acts 2

      24. Because it was not possible that he should be holden. It was not possible that Jesus be held by death, because he had life in himself, and, besides, it was the Father's will that he should arise. This verse epitomizes the four Gospels.

      25-28. David speaketh. Psa. 16:8-11 . 27. Not leave my soul in hell. In hades, the unseen abode of the dead. The meaning is that he would not remain under the power of death. David did not speak this of himself, but of the Son of David. See verse 29 . Thy Holy One. The Lord Jesus. The promised Messiah.

      29. He is both dead and buried. David. His sepulchre was in their midst, within the walls of the city. All his hearers had seen it.

      30. Knowing that God had sworn. God had promised to David that Christ should sit on his throne. See 2 Sam. 7:11-16 Psalms 89:3 Psalms 89:4 Psalms 89:35 Psalms 89:37 Psalms 132:11 .

      32. This Jesus hath God raised up. David foretold it; we are all witnesses of it. There were, including himself, at least twelve witnesses there who had seen the risen Lord again and again. The next point is the exaltation of Christ to a heavenly throne.

      33. He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. The supernatural marvels of this wonderful day were the proof of Christ's exaltation. He had shed them forth.

      34. For. Peter now shows that David had foretold the exaltation of Christ. David . . . saith. Psa. 110:1 . Jesus ( Matthew 22:43 Matthew 22:44 ) quotes the same passage and applies it to himself. The Lord. God, the Father. My Lord. Christ. Sit thou on my right hand. See verse 33 . "To sit at the right hand" implies participation in the Supreme Government.

      35. Until I make, etc. When the work of the Mediator is ended and all conquered to Christ, then all power is given up to the Father. See 1 Cor. 15:23-28 .

      36. Therefore let all the house of Israel know, etc. This is the grand climax, the conclusion to which the whole discourse had been directed.

      37. When they heard this. The conclusion, supported by such convincing demonstration. Before Peter began to speak they did not understand the signs; but now it was clear to them that they had rejected and crucified the Lord. Pricked in their heart. Convicted of their sins, and pierced with sorrow. They believed Peter's affirmation; their faith revealed their sin in rejecting Christ. Overwhelmed with sorrow, they ask, What shall we do? Is there any way that such sinners can be pardoned?

      38. Repent, and be baptized. For the first time the terms of pardon under the New Covenant and the Great Commission are given; given once for all time, and always the same. The convicted, broken-hearted, sorrowing sinner, believing that Jesus is the Christ, is to repent and be baptized. Repent. Not sorrow. They already sorrowed; but a change of purpose; the internal change which resolves to serve the Lord. The Greek term rendered repent, means a change of mind. The act of obedience in baptism is an outward expression of both faith and repentance. In the name of Jesus Christ. "Upon the name" (Revised Version). Upon the ground of the name. In submission to the authority of Jesus Christ. For the remission of sins. Thus, by complying with the conditions just named, they shall receive remission of sins. No man can receive pardon without faith and repentance, nor can he without submission to the will of Christ. "Eis (for) denotes the object of baptism, which is the remission of the guilt contracted in the state before metanoia (repentance)."--Meyer. "In order to the forgiveness of sins we connect naturally with both the preceding verbs. This clause states the motive or object which should induce them to repent and be baptized."--Prof. Hackett. The gift of the Holy Spirit. Promised as a comforter to all who obey Christ, but whom "the world cannot receive."

      39. For the promise. Of pardon, and the gift of the Spirit. Unto you. Even unto those who rejected the Lord. To your children. Your children after you. To all that are afar off. To the Gentiles. That he refers to the Gentiles is shown in the next clause, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Peter spake as the Spirit gave him utterance, and perhaps did not fully comprehend his own words.

      40. Save yourselves. This was the object of the "many other words." They could "save themselves" by complying with the conditions named in verse 38 , and thus accepting Christ as their Savior. From this untoward generation. The wicked Jewish race.

      41. They that gladly received his word. Every believing penitent would gladly receive it. Were baptized. Not indefinitely in the future, but that day. The same day there were added about three thousand souls. "It is proper to add that pools numerous and large which encircled Jerusalem, as both those still in use, and as the remains of others testify of at the present day, afforded ample means for the celebration of the rite of baptism. The habits of the East, as every traveler knows, would present no obstacle to such a use of the public reservoirs."--Hackett, Commentary on Acts. It has been objected to the immersion of the three thousand that the apostles could not have done it in one day. We are not told that the apostles only were the baptists, or even baptized at all. There were at least 120 disciples there; perhaps even more on this great day. Perhaps the Seventy were all there. But the apostles alone could have discharged the office. There would be 250 to each one. Sixty persons have been immersed easily in an hour by one person. At this rate the whole work could have been accomplished by twelve men in about four hours. The celebrated Chrysostom, aided by his elders, baptized (immersed) 3,000 in a day in A. D. 404.

      42. They continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine. In the things taught by the apostles. And fellowship. Contribution to the common fund and its distribution. The breaking of bread. The Lord's supper. From this time it is observed as an ordinance of the church. In prayers. I think the prayers of the regular worship are meant. These four items are all features of the public church life.

      43. Fear came upon every soul. Of the unbelievers.

      44. Had all things common. Many, perhaps most, were sojourners at, not citizens of, Jerusalem. It was needful that they remain together for the time, and while sojourning here, they threw their common funds together. Alford says: "In order, however, rightly to understand this community, we may remark, It is only found in the Church at Jerusalem. No trace of its existence is discoverable anywhere else; on the contrary, St. Paul speaks constantly of the rich and poor. See 1 Tim. 6:17 Galatians 2:10 Galatians 2:2 Co 8:13 Co 8:15 Co 9:6 Co 8:7 Co 8:1 9:6,7 Jam 2:1-5 Jam 4:13 ."

      45. Sold their possessions. Real estate. Goods. Personal property. Parted them to all men. On this special liberality we may note, (1) It partly arose from the non-resident or pilgrim character of a large part of the converts. (2) It was not an obligatory rule; the laws of ownership or property were not disturbed or questioned. Even Ananias might have kept all his land unblamed,

      46. Continuing daily . . . in the temple. They gathered there for the purpose of teaching the multitudes. Breaking bread from house to house. Eating their food from house to house. It may refer to observing the Lord's Supper in private residences.

      47. The Lord added to the church. This is the first time the church is named as existing. It had been founded on Pentecost. Such as should be saved. "Those being saved" (Revised Version). Those being saved on the conditions that the Gospel imposes the Lord added to his church.