After receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter preached his first sermon to a crowd gathered outside a house in Jerusalem. The sermon was all about Jesus, His death and resurrection. Peter referred to King David’s prophecy of the risen Christ (Messiah).
(NIV) Acts 2:25-28 “David said about him (Jesus Christ): ‘I saw the Lord always before me,
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
27because you will not abandon me to the grave, Nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence.’”
David anticipated his future joy in the presence of God….
Peter spoke of David’s death and tomb in Jerusalem.
(NASB) Acts 2:29 “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.”
Peter spoke about David as a prophet who knew God’s promise that one of his (David’s) descendants would sit on the throne of Israel.
(Amplified Bible) Acts 2:30 “Being however a prophet, and knowing that God had sealed to him with an oath that He would set one of his descendants on his throne…” 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 132:11.
(NIV) Acts 2:31 “Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to the grave, nor did His body see decay.”
Peter pointed out that David expected a resurrection of his body. Why? Because he knew from God that the Lord God would not allow or permit His Holy One (the Lord Jesus Christ, Messiah) to see decay after dying. Jesus Christ was raised from death the third day after His crucifixion. God’s words are always fulfilled ~ always!
Then Peter stated what had happened to Jesus after His death and burial as fulfillment of the prophecy which David had given.
(NASB) Acts 2:32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.”
King David was confident of God’s promise concerning Messiah’s resurrection and his own resurrection through the power of God.
Peter and the apostles had witnessed the power of God in the resurrection of Jesus Christ…and prophecy was fulfilled.
~ Take it to heart ~
Followers of Christ, we also have that same confidence…for our Lord God has promised our resurrection, our being in His presence and seeing Him with our own eyes. [Job19:25-27]
Our hope is in the power of God through the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.