Acts - 2:22-36 - Peter's Sermon Exalting Christ

Here is a cleaned-up and organized version of your Bible study notes on Acts 2:22–36, keeping the tone of both teacher and student perspectives while clarifying structure, grammar, and flow:

Acts 2:22–36 – Peter’s Sermon: Exalting Christ

Lesson 7 & 8

Teacher Notes

Peter boldly announces the beginning of the messianic age. Imagine the shock of the people when he tells them that Jesus—the one they had been waiting for over a thousand years—is the Messiah, and they killed him. This declaration was nothing short of explosive.

The Messiah was understood as:

The ultimate ruler,

The one promised to David in 2 Samuel 7,

An everlasting King who would reign in peace and restore all that had been lost.

To claim that Jesus was this promised Messiah would have seemed blasphemous to many. Yet Peter presents four proofs to establish that Jesus truly is the Messiah:

Four Proofs that Jesus is the Messiah

1. The Life of Jesus (v. 22) Peter declares that Jesus was “accredited by God” through miracles, wonders, and signs. The people had witnessed these firsthand—there was no excuse for ignorance.

To be “accredited” (cf. 1 Cor. 4:9) means to be put on display, proven through evidence.

This is the same idea found in Acts 25:7, where evidence is brought forward to prove a claim.

Jesus’ miracles were not in question; what was in question was the heart—there was willful rejection of the evidence.

In John 12:17, the people followed Jesus because He raised Lazarus.

John 15:23 makes it clear: their guilt was rooted in rejecting Him even after undeniable miracles.

2. The Death of Jesus (v. 23) Peter tells them, “You crucified Him”—but all of it was part of God’s predetermined plan.

In John 19, Pilate tells Jesus, “I have the power to release or crucify you,” to which Jesus responds, “You would have no power if it weren’t given from above.”

God's sovereignty over history doesn’t eliminate human responsibility.

The crucifixion was the intersection of divine purpose and human rebellion.

3. The Resurrection of Jesus (vv. 24–32)

God raised Jesus from the dead—showing His power and approval.

Peter contrasts: “You killed Him, but God raised Him.”

To be saved, one must see themselves as opposed to God before they can be reconciled.

Jews prided themselves on closeness to God (cf. Romans 2:17), but Peter dismantles that false assurance.

Peter quotes Psalm 16:8–11, attributing the words to Jesus:

v. 26: "I trust God." There’s peace in facing death.

v. 27: “You will not let your Holy One see decay.” David is referring not to himself—he died—but to the Messiah.

v. 28: This is resurrection hope!

In vv. 29–30, Peter makes clear: David died and remained in the grave. But David knew that one of his descendants would be the eternal King (2 Sam 7:11–16).

vv. 31–32: Peter’s logical argument:

Psalm 16 speaks of resurrection.

David didn’t rise—so it can’t refer to him.

David knew God's promise of a Messiah.

Therefore, the psalm refers to the Messiah.

The Messiah must rise from the dead.

Jesus rose from the dead. → Therefore, Jesus is the Messiah.

4. The Exaltation of Jesus (vv. 33–35)

Jesus, now exalted to the right hand of God, has poured out the Holy Spirit—just as He promised.

These are “the last days.”

Psalm 110:1 is quoted: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool.’”

This, again, cannot refer to David but to the Messiah.

v. 36 – The Climax Peter concludes: “Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Student Notes

vv. 22–23: Jesus’ death reveals a profound paradox—divine sovereignty working through human freedom. The New Testament consistently holds this tension: God’s purposes unfold through the very actions of wicked men.

v. 24: The resurrection is God’s direct action in affirming Jesus.

vv. 25–35: Peter supports this claim by quoting Psalm 16 and Psalm 110:

Both psalms were seen as mysterious in late Judaism.

How could one be kept from decay (Ps 16)?

Who is “my Lord” (Ps 110)?

Jesus Himself interpreted Psalm 110 as messianic (cf. Mark 12:35–37).

Peter insists that David could not be speaking of himself—he died, decayed, and never ascended.

Thus, David was pointing forward to the Messiah.

v. 36: Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah, urging all Israel to believe and respond in faith.