Reading for June 28th

Read Acts 2.29-47.  In verses 29-31: Luke reads the Psalms as Davidic prophecy (Lk 20.41-42; 23.44; Acts 1.16, 20; 4.25;13.33-36). David was not speaking of himself, since he died and decayed, but spoke as a prophet of another anointed one of Messiah who would fulfill this promise. In verse 32: Witness is again focused on Jesus' resurrection (1.22). In verse 33: The dramatic displays of the Holy Spirit are signs that Jesus himself has received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, and being exalted at the right hand of God, he has authority to inaugurate his reign. Along with Lk 10.21-22, this is a key passage in subsequent understandings of the Triune God. In verse 34: David is again cited as a prophet by quoting from Ps 110.1 (Lk 20-42-44). In verse 36: This verse is the rhetorical conclusion of Peter's speech. Jesus has been attested from scripture as God's Lord and messiah, which is also to indict all who were involved in his crucifixion. In verse 37: To be cut to the heart is a profoundly physical response of contrition. "What should we do?" was also the distraught response of those convicted by John's preaching (Lk 3.10-14; see 10.25; 12.17; 16.3-4; 18.18). In verse 38: John also told people to repent and be baptized as a warning against "the wrath to come," but now that the Messiah's reign has begun, forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit are promised ( Lk 3.7-9; 15-17). The name of Jesus Christ is divine agency and authority for the apostles (3.6, 16; 4.10, 12, 17-18, 30; 5.28, 40-41; 8.12; 9.16, 21, 27, 28; 16.18; 19.13, 17; 21.13; 22.16; 26.9). In verse 39: The promise is the restoration of Israel and the renewal of God's call (Isa 49.6; Acts 1.8; Isa 57.18). In verse 40: This corrupt generation is a biblical diagnosis (Deut 32.5; Ps 78.8; Lk 9.41; 11.29). In verse 41: On the three thousand persons, see also 2.47; 4.4; 5.14; 6.1, 7. In verse 42: This verse, which summarizes Luke's picture of the early movement, is elaborated in vv. 43-47.

In verse 44-46: Luke seems to depict holding all things in common as a voluntary practice (see also 5.4). The Temple remains that natural gathering place for prayer (see Acts3-4, 5.20; 21.26). Comments or Questions..