Peter's 3 Proofs of Jesus as messiah Acts 2:22-36

Introduction

As a church our mission is the great commission which tells us to share the gospel with the world. This has been the mission of the church since the first century and it is to continue being the mission of the church until Christ comes back for his church.

Our buildings might look different than theirs, our music might sound different than theirs, the clothes we wear might look different than theirs but the message has not and cannot change. The message is the Gospel and Peter was going to give a gospel message where thousands are going to get saved.

Peter is going to preach a message giving the audience three proofs that Jesus is the Messiah. He proves that Jesus is Messiah by the signs and miracles he performed on earth, his bodily resurrection from the dead and the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

Proof 1 - Signs and Miracles Vs. 22

The first proof Peter uses in his sermon are the signs and miracles that Jesus performed while on the earth.

Jesus was approved by God

As Jesus is getting baptized by John the Baptist God announces his approval of His Son. Matthew 3:17 “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

On the Mount of transfiguration as Moses and Elias are talking with Christ Peter gets the bright idea to build an altar for Christ, Moses and Elias (Elijah) and God again announces his approval of His Son Matthew 17:5 “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” After this Moses and Elias go away and Jesus tells them to not tell any one of this miracle until after his resurrection.

Jesus showed he was God by the miracles, wonders and signs that he did

All of the miracles had a purpose the gospel. All of the signs had a purpose- the Gospel. All of the wonders had a purpose- The gospel!

Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night because of his rank in the temple and tells Jesus this in John 3:2 “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Its amazing to think about the miracles, wonders and signs we have recorded in the Bible and yet the Bible says in John 21:25 “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

Peter here ends this point by telling them that they know this is true.

One miracle that all of us can experience is the miracle of salvation. It is nothing short of a miracle that Jesus paid our sin debt through the shedding of His blood on a cross.

Practically today if we were to ask the room to stand up and testify of a miracle or sign that God has used in your life to prove to you that he truly is God the would be insurmountable proof that Jesus is God.

But if the proof of the signs, miracles and wonders wasn’t enough he gives another proof and that is the resurrection.

Proof 2 - The Resurrection vs. 23-32

Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and the foreknowledge of God

Luke 22:22 “And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!”

Dr. Raymond Barber said this “Has it ever occured to you that nothing has occured to God”

It didn’t surprise God when Judas betrayed Christ. It didn’t surprise God when Jesus was taken before a crooked court and was found guilty of crimes he didn’t commit. It also didn’t surprise God when the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus. It didn’t surprise Him as He watched His Son being crucified or even when He had to turn His back on His Son because He couldn’t look on sin. It didn’t surprise God when His son was in the grave for three days and it didn’t surprise God when His son arose from the dead.

Jesus is known as the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world.

Peter the says a convicting statement as he tells them that they took him and with their wicked hands he was crucified and slain

I’m sure as Peter says this their minds go back to the trial where Pilate a Roman says “I find no fault in Him” and tries to get them to release Jesus, but instead the Jews choose Barabbas.

The result of the resurrection vs. 24

Jesus was raised from the dead by God and it loosed us from the pain of death

1 Cor. 15:55-58 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

May I remind you this morning that death couldn’t hold our Lord. The grave couldn’t keep him, but the bodily resurrection of Jesus proved that he is indeed the messiah!

The prophecy of the resurrection vs. 25-28

Here Peter is quoting Psalm 16:8-11 “I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

When David says “my flesh also shall rest in hope” it is speaking prophetically of Christs burial in Josephs tomb.

While Jesus was dead his soul went down to Hades as John Phillips calls it the prison house of departed souls. But remember he didn’t go there as a victim of death, but a victor over death.

There is only one person who could die and not decay and that was the Holy One. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ who died for three days but never had the corruption of death that we will have when we die.

Think about when Lazarus died in John 11 Martha tells Jesus he is too late and now Lazarus’ body stinks. Lazarus’ body was buried with the same care as Jesus’, the difference is that the corruption of death can’t get to the Holy One!

David had understood what the Lord would do and it brought the fulness of Joy to his countenance.

We can also rejoice in what David rejoiced in!

Peters explanation of Davids prophecy

He starts by reminding them that David is still dead and buried in his sepulchre with them even to this day.

David was promised that Christ would be raised from the dead and because of that he spake of the resurrection of Christ.

He told them that Jesus’ body wouldn’t see corruption and he would be left dead.

Peter ends this point of his sermon with a cherry on top.

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

There were numerous sightings of Jesus after the resurrection, it would be impossible to disprove the resurrection of Christ with the number of eye witness accounts they had recorded.

Peter is backing them into a corner, he said if the miracles, signs and wonders aren't enough, here is the resurrection of Christ and if that isn’t enough for you here is my final proof that Jesus is Messiah.

Proof 3 - The Holy Spirit coming vs. 33-36

The promise fulfilled.

Peter starts his final point with the word therefore, bringing the other two points back in to focus.

He is essentially saying because of the miracles, signs and wonders and because of the resurrection of Christ, now we see Christ ascended into heaven on Gods right hand. Not only is he there but he is exalted.

Jesus had to go so the Holy Spirit, the comforter he promised in John 14 could come.

Peter says you saw him (cloven tongues) and you heard him (The sound of the mighty rushing wind) and now you can’t deny him.

In verse 34 Peter is quoting Psalm 110:1 “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

Peter was reiterating the fact that Jesus came to his own and his own received him not and now Christ was seated on the right hand of God.

The final blow

Peter went from denying Christ around 53 days ago to declaring that Jesus was indeed God to thousands gathered here.

they can Know that Jesus is truly God

The same Jesus they crucified was declared

Jesus - his human name as saviour ordained by God himself Matt. 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Christ - this name represented his three fold title of prophet, priest and king

To those who are his followers he is our Lord Rom. 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Therefore when Peter calls him both Lord and Christ he is declaring His title Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Peter gave the people gathered 3 proofs that Jesus was messiah, he was proven to be messiah by the miracles, signs and wonders he did. He was proven Messiah by the resurrection from the dead and he was proven messiah by the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

May I submit to you today that Jesus is still God and he is the Only way to heaven. If you have never trusted in Christ as your personal savior come today and we can show you from the Bible how you can be saved.

Christians here today, when is the last time you boldly proclaimed Jesus as Messiah? Lets commit to share Jesus with somebody this week.