Scriptural text: Acts 2:32-33; 37-47
Lesson Background:
The lesson takes place on the Day of Pentecost when the disciples received the promise of the Holy Ghost and witnessed to thousands of Jews returning to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-11). After remaining on earth for another forty days after His resurrection (see Acts 1:1-3), before He ascended into heaven. Jesus told His disciples that in a few days they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
God Fulfills His Promise (Acts 2:32-33).
(Verse 32), Peter began his sermon in Acts 2:22 by acknowledging that “Jesus” of Nazareth was approved by God by miracles and wonders which many in the crowd had witnessed (Acts 2:22). Peter also declared that “Jesus” had been crucified by wicked men and raised up from the dead, quoting David’s prophecy concerning the Messiah to support his words. Peter turned his attention from David’s prophecy to its fulfillment when he declared that “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” In other words, “Jesus” of Nazareth was the Messiah that David had foreseen. In addition, Peter declared “whereof we all are witnesses.” Peter was referring to himself, the apostles and other believers who had seen “Jesus” after His resurrection who were standing there with him. (Verse 33). This verse says “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.” Jesus’ fulfillment of David’s prophecy went beyond rising from the dead. Here Peter also said that He was now “by the right hand of God exalted” occupying the most lofty position in the universe (Hebrews 1:3-4). The “Holy Ghost” was the “promise of the Father,” (Acts 1:4), but “the Father” gave His “exalted” son the authority to send the Holy Spirit to the earth; so it was Jesus (he) who “hath shed forth this” referring to what the crowd was seeing and hearing that day (Acts 2:4-12). As a result of just being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ followers were gifted to speak to the people in other tongues, or in their own languages. This what Peter meant when he referred to the things which ye now see and hear.”
Conversion to Christ (Acts 2:41).
The response to Peter’s sermon on this Day of Pentecost was overwhelming. Luke tells us that after hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ preached by Peter, “they that gladly received his word were baptized,” Peter’s hearers first “received (or accepted) his word” as truth, and then they “were baptized.” Now because of the work of the Holy Spirit through the followers of Jesus Christ, this group increased to about another “three thousand” people. Those who are joined to Christ are “added” to the Disciples of Christ, and therefore are united with them.
References: International Sunday School Commentary