God has raised this Jesus to lifeThis phrase emphasizes the central Christian doctrine of the resurrection. The resurrection is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as
Psalm 16:10, which Peter quotes earlier in
Acts 2:27. The resurrection is a divine act, underscoring Jesus' identity as the Son of God. It confirms Jesus' victory over death and sin, a cornerstone of Christian faith. The resurrection is also a pivotal event that distinguishes Christianity from other religions, as it asserts that Jesus is alive and active in the world today.
to which we are all witnesses
The term "witnesses" refers to the apostles and other followers of Jesus who personally saw the risen Christ. This eyewitness testimony is crucial for the credibility of the resurrection account. In1 Corinthians 15:5-8, Paul lists those who witnessed the resurrected Jesus, providing a historical basis for the claim. The role of a witness in the first-century context was significant, as it provided legal and social validation. The apostles' willingness to suffer and die for their testimony further supports the truth of their claims. This phrase also highlights the communal aspect of the early church, united in their experience and proclamation of the risen Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
GodThe sovereign Creator who raised Jesus from the dead, affirming His divine power and authority.
2.
JesusThe central figure of Christianity, whose resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith.
3.
The ApostlesThe group of Jesus' closest followers who witnessed His resurrection and were empowered to testify about it.
4.
JerusalemThe city where these events took place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the early church's birth.
5.
PentecostThe event during which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the gospel with boldness.
Teaching Points
The Centrality of the ResurrectionThe resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith. Without it, our faith is in vain. It validates Jesus' claims and His victory over sin and death.
The Role of WitnessesThe apostles were eyewitnesses to the resurrection, providing credible testimony to the truth of the gospel. As modern believers, we are called to be witnesses of Christ's transformative power in our lives.
The Power of GodThe resurrection demonstrates God's supreme power over life and death. It assures us that nothing is impossible for God, and we can trust Him with our lives.
Living in Resurrection PowerBelievers are called to live in the power of the resurrection, experiencing victory over sin and living a new life in Christ.
The Hope of ResurrectionThe resurrection of Jesus assures us of our future resurrection and eternal life. This hope should motivate us to live faithfully and share the gospel with others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Acts 2:32?
2.How does Acts 2:32 affirm the truth of Jesus' resurrection for believers?
3.What role do witnesses play in confirming Jesus' resurrection in Acts 2:32?
4.How does Acts 2:32 connect to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
5.How can we testify about Jesus' resurrection in our daily lives today?
6.What impact should Jesus' resurrection have on our faith and evangelism efforts?
7.How does Acts 2:32 support the belief in Jesus' resurrection?
8.What historical evidence exists for the resurrection mentioned in Acts 2:32?
9.Why is the resurrection in Acts 2:32 central to Christian faith?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 2?
11.What power resurrected Jesus from the dead?
12.If faith is required for salvation, why does the Bible contain so many stories where God reveals Himself directly?
13.What is the fate of those unaware of the Gospel?
14.What defines being passionate for Jesus?What Does Acts 2:32 Mean
God has raised• The resurrection is God’s own act. “But God raised Him from the dead” (Acts 2:24) underscores that the Father’s power, not human effort, overturned death.
• This fulfills prophecy: “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay” (Psalm 16:10), a promise Peter had just explained (Acts 2:25-31).
• The same power is available to believers: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies” (Romans 8:11).
• God’s action validates all Jesus said about Himself (John 2:19-22) and displays “the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19-20).
this Jesus• Peter points to the historical Jesus of Nazareth, “a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs” (Acts 2:22).
• The name “Jesus” anchors the claim in real time and space—the same Jesus they had seen, heard, and rejected (Acts 3:13-15).
• By specifying “this Jesus,” Peter connects the risen Lord with the crucified one: “Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).
• The identity of Jesus is non-negotiable; He is the promised Messiah, foretold inIsaiah 53:10-12 and confirmed by the empty tomb (Luke 24:19-27).
to life• Resurrection means bodily life, not mere spiritual survival. “He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4).
• Death is defeated: “Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer has dominion over Him” (Romans 6:9).
• His new life guarantees ours: “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
• He is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22), assuring a future resurrection for all who trust Him (1 Peter 1:3).
to which we are all witnesses• Peter and the other apostles stand as firsthand observers: “to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead” (Acts 10:41).
• More than 500 others saw Him alive (1 Corinthians 15:5-7), giving multiple corroborating testimonies.
• Their eyewitness message is the foundation of the church: “You will be My witnesses… to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
• The apostles proclaim what they have “seen and heard” (1 John 1:1-3), inviting listeners to trust a historically verified event, not a private vision or myth (2 Peter 1:16).
summaryActs 2:32 proclaims that God Himself raised the crucified Jesus bodily from the dead, fulfilling Scripture and demonstrating His sovereign power. The same Jesus who walked among His people now lives forever, guaranteeing life to all who believe. Eyewitnesses—apostles and many others—confirm the fact, making the resurrection a solid cornerstone for faith and hope.
(32)
This Jesus hath God raised up . . .--From the first the Apostles take up the position which their Lord had assigned them. They are witnesses, and before and above all else, witnesses of the Resurrection.
Verse 32.- Did God raise up for
hath God raised up, A.V.
Are witnesses (see
Acts 1:22, note).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
GodΘεός(Theos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.has raisedἀνέστησεν(anestēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 450:To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up.thisΤοῦτον(Touton)Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.Jesus {to life},Ἰησοῦν(Iēsoun)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.to whichοὗ(hou)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.weἡμεῖς(hēmeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.areἐσμεν(esmen)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.allπάντες(pantes)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.witnesses.μάρτυρες(martyres)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3144:A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'.
Links
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NT Apostles: Acts 2:32 This Jesus God raised up to which (Acts of the Apostles Ac)