(མཛད་པ། 2:22-36)

 

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,[d] delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.

27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.

28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:22-36

 

Having shown that the loud speech was fulfilment of a prophecy about the giving of the Holy Spirit, Peter now gives the reason for it happening: It is what God promised. Men killed Yeshu Messiah, but God the Father raised him, and has given Yeshu the Holy Spirit; which he has now bestowed liberally on his believers, as you are now seeing and hearing.

The two sutras show that Messiah Christ must both live again, and reign in heaven.

In the first sutra King David hears and uses words prophetically which only Yeshu himself could speak, ‘You, Lord God, are with me always; you will not let me, your Holy Messiah, die and decay, but will give me life.’   In the second sutra, David hears the Lord (God) speaking to David’s Lord (Messiah Christ}, ‘Come and share my throne.’

(མཛད་པ། 2:37-41)

 

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you 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 for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37-41)

 

Why did so many people take baptism?

Peter’s words accused them, because they had shouted for God’s appointed Messiah to be crucified. They wanted to be washed clean of that crime.

Peter said, ‘You must repent (spyod pa ngan pa spangs+ nas sems sgyur) and be baptised. The Lord God is calling you to himself.’

The washing of baptism is a picture of God’s clearing of all our sin. If we are baptized in Yeshu Mashiga’s name it shows that we believe and accept his dying for our forgiveness. We make him our Lord. Then also God will help us to live a new life (thar bar ‘sgyur) by giving us his Holy Spirit.

“Save yourselves”, said Peter, by being baptized.

(མཛད་པ། 2:42-47)

 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The new believers in Jerusalem assembled to share in the four activities of the first-formed church.

 

 

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

The result was such fear and respect for God that their lives were being changed. And God was causing more and more people daily to believe and be finding liberation.