Proclaiming the Crucified Christ
Week 6 Day 1
Acts 2:22-41
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. 25 For David says of Him,
‘I saw the Lord always in my presence;
For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.
26 ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted;
Moreover my flesh also will live in hope;
27 Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades,
Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
28 ‘You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’
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. 30 And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Revelation 12:11
11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. 24 But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. 25 For David says of Him,
‘I saw the Lord always in my presence;
For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.
26 ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted;
Moreover my flesh also will live in hope;
27 Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades,
Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
28 ‘You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’
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. 30 And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Revelation 12:11
11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. His miracles, wonders, and signs proved this. The ultimate sign was the resurrection! Death had no power over Him. Jesus defeated death.
Death to death.
It was God’s predetermined plan to give Jesus over to godless men that would lead to Jesus’ death. It was God’s predetermined plan that this would save the world from its sins which is seen from Genesis to Revelation.
The disciples saw Jesus’ life and miracles. They experienced His love. They were there when Jesus was arrested, but their fear caused them to run away. After Jesus’ death, they were in hiding, and then they witnessed His resurrection. They saw the tomb empty and he was alive and restored.
Now filled with the Holy Spirit the disciples are courageous. They can’t help but boldly tell others that Jesus is the Lord and Christ.
They talk passionately and persuasively of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Jesus took away the agony of death. They communicated how we should respond to Jesus with repentance, to stop trusting ourselves and to trust in Jesus. He is the Lord God, the promised Christ.
They let people know this gift of eternal life was for all people. These shameful and fearful men became bold because of the resurrected Christ.
Their boldness should encourage and inspire us. May we be passionately and persuasively sharing how the resurrected Christ saved us and offers us eternal hope.
Yes, the disciples faced persecution, suffering, and even death. But let’s not overlook the response of the crowds. They were pierced to the heart. They wanted to know more and that day 3,000 souls were added to the Kingdom of God. When we share and suffer, people come to Christ.
When we understand and believe what Christ the Lamb has done by overcoming death, we no longer need to fear death and can proclaim His glory and gospel to all people despite danger and death. Then people will come to Christ and more souls will enter the Kingdom of God. Let’s be bold in Christ and expect him to save souls through our testimony.
Death to death.
It was God’s predetermined plan to give Jesus over to godless men that would lead to Jesus’ death. It was God’s predetermined plan that this would save the world from its sins which is seen from Genesis to Revelation.
The disciples saw Jesus’ life and miracles. They experienced His love. They were there when Jesus was arrested, but their fear caused them to run away. After Jesus’ death, they were in hiding, and then they witnessed His resurrection. They saw the tomb empty and he was alive and restored.
Now filled with the Holy Spirit the disciples are courageous. They can’t help but boldly tell others that Jesus is the Lord and Christ.
They talk passionately and persuasively of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Jesus took away the agony of death. They communicated how we should respond to Jesus with repentance, to stop trusting ourselves and to trust in Jesus. He is the Lord God, the promised Christ.
They let people know this gift of eternal life was for all people. These shameful and fearful men became bold because of the resurrected Christ.
Their boldness should encourage and inspire us. May we be passionately and persuasively sharing how the resurrected Christ saved us and offers us eternal hope.
Yes, the disciples faced persecution, suffering, and even death. But let’s not overlook the response of the crowds. They were pierced to the heart. They wanted to know more and that day 3,000 souls were added to the Kingdom of God. When we share and suffer, people come to Christ.
When we understand and believe what Christ the Lamb has done by overcoming death, we no longer need to fear death and can proclaim His glory and gospel to all people despite danger and death. Then people will come to Christ and more souls will enter the Kingdom of God. Let’s be bold in Christ and expect him to save souls through our testimony.
Reflection and Prayer
Who can you boldly share your testimony with over this Easter season?
What keeps you from sharing boldly about who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for you and for others?
Do you expect Jesus to save those you share the gospel with?
Father, Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. Help me to have the boldness to tell others about Him and what He's done for me.
What keeps you from sharing boldly about who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for you and for others?
Do you expect Jesus to save those you share the gospel with?
Father, Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. Help me to have the boldness to tell others about Him and what He's done for me.
Easter 2024 Devotionals
The Lamb is on the Throne
March 30th, 2024
The Lamb, slain yet standing, bears the weight of ultimate victory over death....
To Die is Gain
March 29th, 2024
To be with Christ for eternity far outweighs anything we experience on this earth, but while we continue living, we have everything to live for as we have the privilege of advancing Christ’s kingdom and being a faithful witness for Him....
Anticipating Resurrection
March 28th, 2024
We look forward to the mystery of bodily resurrection in which we trade our mortal and perishable bodies for an imperishable and immortal body no longer subject to sickness, disease, decay, and death....