Acts 2

Second Coming

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: Acts 2:20

Peter quotes Joel's prophecy of signs before the great day of the Lord. Latter-day Saints understand that day as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Joel 2:31 — the sun darkened and moon to blood before the day of the LORD
• alludes to Malachi 4:5 — "the great and dreadful day of the LORD"

Jehovah

Jehovah — the LORD, the covenant God of Israel; the premortal Jesus Christ

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21

In Joel the "Lord" is Jehovah; Peter goes on to show that this Lord is Jesus (verse 36) and to invite baptism in His name (verse 38). Calling on Jehovah's name and calling on Jesus' name are the same thing.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Joel 2:32 — "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered"
• interpreted by Romans 10:9-13 — Paul applies the same verse to confessing "the Lord Jesus"

Ministry of Jesus

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Acts 2:22

Peter reminds the crowd that they themselves saw Jesus' miracles. His mighty works were the Father's approval of His Son.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 5:36 — "the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me"

Crucifixion

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Acts 2:23

Jesus' death was not an accident; it was part of God's plan known before the world began. Yet the people who killed Him were still responsible for their choice.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 1 Peter 1:19-20 — Christ "verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world"
• alludes to Revelation 13:8 — "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"

Resurrection

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Acts 2:24

Death could not hold Jesus. Because He is the Son of God with power over death, His Resurrection was certain.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to 2 Nephi 2:8 — the Holy Messiah lays down His life and takes it again by the power of the Spirit

Resurrection

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Acts 2:25–28

Peter says Psalm 16 was really David speaking prophetically for the Messiah. The promise that God's Holy One would not decay in the grave was fulfilled when Jesus rose.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Psalm 16:8-11 — the psalm Peter quotes
• interpreted by Acts 2:31 — Peter: David "spake of the resurrection of Christ"

Holy One

Holy One — the one set apart as perfectly holy to God

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 2:27

"Holy One" is a title for the Messiah, the sinless Son whose body would not see corruption.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Acts 3:14 — "ye denied the Holy One and the Just"
• the same title in Mark 1:24 — "I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God"

Christ

Christ — Greek for "the Anointed One" (Messiah in Hebrew)

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Acts 2:29–31

David died and his tomb is still there, so Psalm 16 cannot be about David himself. Peter explains it as a prophecy of Christ, David's descendant who would rise and reign on David's throne forever.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Psalm 16:10 — the Holy One not seeing corruption is Christ's Resurrection
• fulfils 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — God's covenant to establish David's seed and throne forever
• alludes to Psalm 132:11 — "Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne"
• alludes to Luke 1:32-33 — "the throne of his father David"

Resurrection

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:32

Peter and the apostles testify as eyewitnesses that God raised Jesus from the dead.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Acts 1:22 — the apostles ordained as witnesses of His resurrection

Ascension and Exaltation

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:33

The exalted Jesus, at the Father's right hand, has sent the Holy Ghost that the crowd just witnessed. Pentecost is itself evidence that Jesus lives and reigns.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils John 16:7 — "if I depart, I will send him unto you"
• fulfils Acts 1:4-5 — the promise of the Father, baptism with the Holy Ghost

Lord (Psalm 110)

Lord — Greek Kyrios, Master

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Acts 2:34–35

David did not go to heaven, so when he wrote "The Lord said unto my Lord," he was describing the Father speaking to the Son. Peter uses Psalm 110 to show Jesus is exalted at the Father's right hand.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Psalm 110:1 — "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand"
• the same title in Matthew 22:43-45 — Jesus Himself asks how David can call the Christ his Lord

Lord and Christ

Christ — Greek for "the Anointed One" (Messiah in Hebrew); Lord — Master, and the title of Jehovah

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36

The climax of Peter's sermon: the Jesus they crucified is the Lord and the promised Messiah. Every argument in the sermon has led to this testimony.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Philippians 2:9-11 — every tongue confesses "that Jesus Christ is Lord"

Taking His Name (baptism)

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

Peter teaches the first principles and ordinances: repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is done in Christ's name because forgiveness comes through Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 28:19 — the commission to baptize all nations
• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:20 — "Repent... and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost"

Jehovah

Jehovah — the LORD, the covenant God of Israel

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. Acts 2:39

The printed LORD echoes the end of Joel 2:32. It may point to the Father who calls people to His Son, so this is a soft, uncertain reference.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Joel 2:32 — "the remnant whom the LORD shall call"

Bread of Life (sacrament)

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42

"Breaking of bread" likely includes the sacrament the Savior instituted, the ordinance where members remember His body and blood.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Luke 22:19 — He took bread, brake it: "this do in remembrance of me"

Lord

Lord — Greek Kyrios, Master

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:47

Luke credits the growth of the Church to the Lord, who is building His own Church. Conversion is His work, not just the apostles'.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 16:18 — "upon this rock I will build my church"