Introduction: For many today, Easter – Resurrection Sunday, is just a religious holiday. But for those whose lives have been changed it represents the most important event in human history. Jesus arose from the grave!

Peter preached about that event in the days of the early Church…. The Day of Pentecost.

1. E – Early in the life of Jesus Christ! (Acts 2:22)

“22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

Jesus authenticated His divinity and ministry by the miracles He performed with the intention that those who witnessed them, and experienced them, would place their FAITH & TRUST in Him as their Lord & Savior.

Some did. Many did not. 

2. A – A man – the God man! (Acts 2:22, 23)

“22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.”

The word “foreknowledge” is πρόγνωσις, (prog’-no-sis) foreknowledge, previous determination.

3. S – Substitute! (Acts 2:23)

“Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”

The word “determinate” is ὁρίζω, horizó (hor-id’-zo): I separate, mark off by boundaries; I determine, appoint, designate.

4. T – Triumphant over the grave! (Acts 2:24-32)

“24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”

The words having “loosed” the pains of death. “Loosed” is λύω, which means I loose, untie, release, (b) met: I break, destroy, set at naught, contravene; I break up a meeting, annul.

The word “held” is κρατέω, (krat-eh’-o), which means, I am strong, mighty, hence: I rule, am master, prevail; I obtain, take hold of; I hold, hold fast.

The bottom line: Jesus broke the grip of death….He arose!

5. E – Exaltation! (Acts 2:33)

“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.”

After conquering death, hell, sin and the grave, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father. (See Rom 8:33, 34; Heb 1:1-3)

6. R – Religion or Relationship? (Acts 2:37-41)

“7Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”