Explaining Pentecost: The Final Connections

Introduction:

Christianity’s value is not in its social good (improving communities, moral people) but in its historical reality.

The core claims are all based upon truth claims about actual historical events or larger realities:

God exists.

Jesus is God’s equal.

The creator became flesh and dwelled among us.

Jesus/God’s wondrous acts.

Resurrection, ascension, and current place.

Peter has attempted to answer a question, and he has done so by pursuing the following lines of thought:

The initial event: Jesus’ disciples communicating the message of God, as Galileans, but in specific linguistic dialects.

The Joel explanation.

That, then, led to the argument from Ps. 16 about the resurrection, by God, of His holy one and why that must refer to the Messiah.

Peter will now connect all three points.

Resurrection and Exaltation

Peter states that God raised “this specific Jesus.”

The term “raised” appears to get expanded as the context unfolds.

This will become more obvious with the idea of “exaltation.”

The apostles serve as witnesses to the historical fact that God raised Jesus.

This is in either sense: resurrection or ascension.

Right Hand and Exaltation

Some see a difference between how Jesus was raised and where Jesus was raised.

Perhaps the NT writers did not.

Ps. 118:16.

While Peter’s point may be the power of God, for the NT writers, “right hand” also points to the location of Jesus.

Ro. 8:34

Eph. 1:20-22

Col. 3:1

1 Pet. 3:22.

Note the importance of Lk. 22:66-69.

The larger issue, however, is Jesus’ exaltation.

Phil. 2:9-11.

Peter relies on Ps. 110 to discuss Jesus’ person and his exalation.

Note the meaning of the statement itself: three persons are involved: the Lord, David, and David’s Lord.

Like Ps. 16, David could not be the subject of the Psalm.

He did not ascend to heaven. His tomb was known.

Joel and Jesus

Peter ties this back to his initial quotation from Joel.

What drew the crowd’s attention was the following:

Jesus having been exalted by God, has recevied the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, and he poured this which you are seeing and hearing.

What happened, then, isn’t about disciples. It is about the true identity of Jesus and God’s confirmation of it.

Peter’s Conclusion:

Who is the Lord who must be called upon for salvation?

Who is the “I” in Joel?

Who is Lord and Messiah?

God didn’t make Jesus something he inherently wasn’t.

His resurrection and exaltation were not arbitrary.

These events confirm his pre-existing identity and the realities about his person.

Introduction Part 2:

For part 2, we want to focus on the importance of the passages that Peter cites for the New Testament understanding of Jesus.

We want to develop our understanding of two key issues:

Jesus sitting at the right hand.

Until I make your enemies your footstool.

Right Hand and Exaltation

Some see a difference between how Jesus was raised and where Jesus was raised.

Perhaps the NT writers did not.

Ps. 118:16.

While Peter’s point may be the power of God, for the NT writers, “right hand” also points to the location of Jesus.

Ro. 8:34

Eph. 1:20-22

Col. 3:1

1 Pet. 3:22.

Note the importance of Lk. 22:66-69.

The larger issue, however, is Jesus’ exaltation.

Phil. 2:9-11.

Peter relies on Ps. 110 to discuss Jesus’ person and his exalation.

Note the meaning of the statement itself: three persons are involved: the Lord, David, and David’s Lord.

Like Ps. 16, David could not be the subject of the Psalm.

He did not ascend to heaven. His tomb was known.

Messiah’s Enemies Made Subject:

References to "Make Your Enemies Your Footstool" in the Greek New Testament

The phrase from Psalm 110:1 (LXX: εἶπεν ὁ κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου· κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου) is quoted or alluded to in the New Testament with specific reference to "enemies" (ἐχθροί) being made a "footstool" (ὑποπόδιον) or placed "under the feet" (ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν or similar). Below are all instances, categorized by their contextual usage.

1. Usage: Messiah's Identity and Lordship (Establishing Jesus as David's Lord, Beyond Mere Davidic Descent)

These passages use Psalm 110:1 to argue that the Messiah is greater than David, emphasizing his divine lordship.

εἶπεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν σου;Matthew 22:44

αὐτὸς Δαυὶδ εἶπεν ἐν τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ· Εἶπεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν σου.Mark 12:36

αὐτὸς γὰρ Δαυὶδ λέγει ἐν βίβλῳ ψαλμῶν· Εἶπεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου.Luke 20:42-43

2. Usage: Exaltation and Ascension (Affirming Jesus' Resurrection and Enthronement at God's Right Hand)

This passage uses the quotation to confirm Jesus' exalted position after his resurrection.

οὐ γὰρ Δαυὶδ ἀνέβη εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς, λέγει δὲ αὐτός· Εἶπεν κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου.Acts 2:34-35

3. Usage: Superiority and Divine Status (Demonstrating Christ's Supremacy Over Angels and Creation)

This passage uses the quotation to highlight Jesus' unique divine status, superior to angels.

πρὸς τίνα δὲ τῶν ἀγγέλων εἴρηκέν ποτε· Κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου;Hebrews 1:13

4. Usage: Kingdom Reign and Subjection of Death (Describing Christ's Ongoing Rule Until All Enemies, Including Death, Are Subdued)

This passage alludes to Psalm 110:1, focusing on Christ's reign and the subjection of all enemies, with death as the final enemy.

δεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸν βασιλεύειν ἄχρι οὗ θῇ πάντας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ.1 Corinthians 15:25

5. Usage: Priestly Ministry and Awaiting Consummation (Emphasizing Christ's Completed Sacrifice and Waiting for Final Victory Over Enemies)

This passage alludes to Psalm 110:1, connecting Jesus' priestly work with his waiting for the final subjection of enemies.

οὗτος δὲ μίαν ὑπὲρ ἁμαρτιῶν προσενέγκας θυσίαν εἰς τὸ διηνεκὲς ἐκάθισεν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ, τὸ λοιπὸν ἐκδεχόμενος ἕως τεθῶσιν οἱ ἐχθροί αὐτοῦ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ.Hebrews 10:12-13

Total References

The Greek New Testament contains 7 references to the "make your enemies your footstool" concept from Psalm 110:1:

: Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42-43, Acts 2:34-35, Hebrews 1:13.5 direct quotations

: 1 Corinthians 15:25, Hebrews 10:12-13.2 allusions

The Meaning

Peter’s Conclusion:

His resurrection and exaltation were not arbitrary.

These events confirm his pre-existing identity and the realities about his person.

The following is AI generated:

List of Psalms with Unique and Total Citations

Psalm 2

Unique Citations: 3

Total Citations: 4

NT References: Acts 4:25-26, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, Hebrews 5:5

Psalm 8

Unique Citations: 1

Total Citations: 1

NT References: Hebrews 2:6-8

Psalm 16

Unique Citations: 2

Total Citations: 2

NT References: Acts 2:25-28, Acts 13:35

Psalm 22

Unique Citations: 2

Total Citations: 2

NT References: Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34

Psalm 45

Unique Citations: 1

Total Citations: 1

NT References: Hebrews 1:8-9

Psalm 89

Unique Citations: 2

Total Citations: 2

NT References: Acts 13:22-23, Revelation 3:7

Psalm 110

Unique Citations: 7

Total Citations: 8

NT References: Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:42-43, Acts 2:34-35, Hebrews 1:13, Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 7:17, Hebrews 7:21

Psalm 118

Unique Citations: 5

Total Citations: 5

NT References: Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:7

Total

Total Psalms: 8

Total Unique Citations: 23

Total Citations: 25