Acts 2:30, commentary and pictures

David was a prophet who knew God had sworn with an oath that from his own human line Christ would be raised up to sit on his throne. The promise did not describe David himself, for he had not ascended to heaven but remained in his grave awaiting the resurrection, while he foresaw that Christ would rise from the dead and His body would not decay. Jesus' rejection, death, resurrection and ascension fulfilled and confirmed that oath, for God raised Him and exalted Him as Lord and Christ at His right hand, a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. On the day of Pentecost Peter boldly traced Christ's lineage directly to David the honored patriarch and proclaimed a risen Saviour in the demonstration and power of the Spirit, testifying to what had been seen of His resurrection and the fulfillment of prophecy. Preached with that power, the word brought three thousand souls to repentance in one day, who gladly received it and were baptized for the remission of sins and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Meaning and Pentecost Context

David was a prophet who knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh in human lineage, He would raise up a descendant to be the Christ to sit on David's throne. The promise did not describe David himself but pointed to Jesus, including His rejection, death, resurrection and ascension, and David thereby foresaw Christ's resurrection, which with His exaltation fulfilled God's promise to David. That sworn promise stands as an example of God making an oath.

In its setting Peter traces Christ's lineage directly to David to establish Christ's true position. He appeals to David as a patriarch honored and revered by his Jewish hearers. He deliberately avoids argument from Jesus' own teachings because he knows the prejudice of his listeners would make that ineffective.

The verse belongs to Peter's bold, Spirit-guided witness on the day of Pentecost after the descent of the Holy Spirit. Then the disciples went forth with the one desire for the salvation of souls to proclaim a risen Saviour. In that preaching the mystery of the cross and matters concerning the Messiah were explained. Peter testified as an eyewitness to what had been seen of Christ's resurrection and to the fulfillment of prophecy.

Prophecy Fulfilled in Christ

By the oath God swore to him, David foresaw the resurrection of Christ, that He would rise from the dead and His body would not decay. The prophecy did not describe David himself, for David had not ascended to heaven but remained in his grave awaiting the resurrection. It points to Jesus as the promised descendant from David's line, embracing His rejection, death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus' resurrection and exaltation fulfilled and confirmed God's promise to David.

God raised Jesus and exalted Him as both Lord and Christ, equal with the Father and seated at His right hand. He was exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. He was unfolded and glorified by the Spirit before eyes that before saw no beauty in Him to desire Him, for the glorious inner beauties of His work and character are not discerned with natural eyes, but only as the Spirit quickens.

The fulfillment was made certain early in the morning of the first day of the week, when the sepulcher was found empty with only the shroud and the head napkin remaining. The risen Lord was seen and talked with on the way to Emmaus, where beginning at Moses He opened in all the prophets the things concerning Himself, and in the upper chamber where He revealed Himself to the eleven as risen from the dead. This eyewitness testimony contradicted the hired lie that the body had been stolen and made the falsehood of none effect. By evidence that could not be controverted Christianity was established in a decided triumph that meant everything to bear.

Pentecost Effect and Application

Preached with tremendous effect in the demonstration of the Spirit and with power, the sermon unfolded and glorified Jesus before eyes that before had seen no beauty in Him to desire Him. Its great and mighty subject brought three thousand souls to repentance in one day, for Jesus was lifted up as exalted by God to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. Those who gladly received the word repented and were baptized for the remission of sins and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, about three thousand souls being added the same day. The glorious inner beauties of His work and character are not discerned with natural eyes, for it is the Spirit that quickens.

Those added continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. They continued daily with one accord with gladness and singleness of heart, while the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Their communion was sweet, tender, thoughtful, self-denying and sacrificial, revealing in words and deeds the love Christ had commanded. That is the love believers are to cherish and forward in obedience to the new commandment to love one another as Christ loved them, united to Christ and magnifying the power of a Saviour who can justify them by His righteousness.

What happened when thousands were converted in a day means the same Spirit is to be sought now, and sinners are to be converted. Believers have a part in it by living the self-denying life of Christ and making people hungry to hear the Word. They are to take the Bible from house to house to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth, doing their whole duty and making covenant with God by sacrifice. They must shake off stupor and indifference and stay awake to give the message to a world to save in the judgment hour, trusting God to enlarge small efforts.