◄ Acts 2:22 ►
Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.
Study Bible
Men of Israel, listen to this message:

This phrase addresses the Jewish audience present at Pentecost. The term "Men of Israel" signifies the direct appeal to the Jewish people, emphasizing their shared heritage and covenant with God. The call to "listen" underscores the importance of the message, echoing the prophetic tradition where prophets would call the people to hear God's word (e.g., Isaiah 1:10).

Deu 5:1 Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them:…
Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.
Isa 48:1 Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called…

Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you

"Jesus of Nazareth" identifies Jesus with His earthly origins, fulfilling prophecies about the Messiah's humble beginnings (e.g., Isaiah 53:2-3). The phrase "certified by God" indicates divine approval and authentication of Jesus' ministry. This certification is crucial for the Jewish audience, as it aligns with the expectation of a divinely appointed Messiah.

Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit…
Jhn 5:36 But I have testimony more substantial than that of John.…
Luk 24:19 “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus…

by miracles, wonders, and signs,

These terms refer to the supernatural acts performed by Jesus, which served as evidence of His divine authority and messianic identity. "Miracles" (dunamis) emphasize power, "wonders" (teras) highlight the awe they inspired, and "signs" (semeion) point to their significance in revealing God's kingdom. These acts fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah (e.g., Isaiah 35:5-6).

Heb 2:4 and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders…
Deu 4:34 Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation……
2Co 12:12 The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders…

which God did among you through Him,

This phrase emphasizes that the miracles were acts of God, performed through Jesus, underscoring the divine-human partnership in Jesus' ministry. It highlights the presence of God's power in their midst, affirming Jesus' role as the mediator of God's will and the fulfillment of the messianic promise.

Jhn 5:19 So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son……
Jhn 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father…
Jhn 10:25 “I already told you,” Jesus replied “but you did not believe…

as you yourselves know.

This appeal to the audience's personal knowledge serves as a rhetorical device to affirm the truth of the message. The Jewish people present had either witnessed or heard of Jesus' works, making them firsthand or reliable secondhand witnesses to His ministry. This acknowledgment reinforces the credibility of the apostolic testimony and the undeniable impact of Jesus' life and works.

Act 26:26 For the king knows about these matters…
Jhn 11:47 Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin…
Jhn 12:17 Meanwhile, many people who had been with Jesus…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Men of Israel
The Jewish audience present at Pentecost, representing the people of Israel who were gathered in Jerusalem.

2. Jesus of Nazareth
The central figure of Christianity, recognized as the Messiah and Son of God, who performed miracles and was crucified and resurrected.

3. Miracles, Wonders, and Signs
Supernatural acts performed by Jesus, serving as divine authentication of His ministry and identity.

4. God
The sovereign deity who empowered Jesus to perform these acts, affirming His divine mission.

5. Pentecost
The event during which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in various tongues and marking the birth of the Church.
Teaching Points
Divine Authentication
Jesus' miracles serve as God's certification of His identity and mission. Believers can trust in Jesus' divine authority and teachings.

Role of Miracles
Miracles are not just supernatural events but are signs pointing to the truth of Jesus' message and the reality of God's kingdom.

Personal Witness
The audience is reminded of their firsthand experience of Jesus' works, encouraging believers to reflect on their personal encounters with God's power.

Call to Listen
Peter's address begins with a call to listen, emphasizing the importance of being attentive to God's message in our lives.

Historical Context
Understanding the historical and cultural context of Jesus' ministry can deepen our appreciation of His works and their significance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the miracles, wonders, and signs performed by Jesus serve as evidence of His divine mission in your own faith journey?

2. In what ways can we be attentive to God's message in our daily lives, similar to Peter's call to the "Men of Israel"?

3. How do the miracles of Jesus connect with the prophecies and promises found in the Old Testament?

4. What role do personal experiences and testimonies play in affirming the truth of the Gospel in your community?

5. How can understanding the historical context of Jesus' ministry enhance our application of His teachings today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 3:2
Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as a teacher from God, recognizing the signs He performed as evidence of divine presence.

Matthew 11:4-5
Jesus describes His works to John the Baptist's disciples, highlighting the miracles as fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

Hebrews 2:4
God testifies to the message of salvation through signs, wonders, and various miracles, affirming the divine origin of the Gospel.

Acts 10:38
Peter speaks of Jesus being anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and power, performing good works and healing.
Sermons
The Divine HumanityR.A. Redford Acts 2:22
The Day of Pentecost, and its Immediate GiftsP.C. Barker Acts 2:1-41
The Spirit Speaking Through the Voice of an ApostleR.A. Redford Acts 2:14-36
Truths from Peter's SermonW. Clarkson Acts 2:14-36
A New Style of Religious MinistryD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 2:14-40
A Sermon to Prick the ConscienceJ. C. Jones.Acts 2:14-40
A Varied Ministry Blessed by the Holy SpiritC. H. Spurgeon.Acts 2:14-40
Different Styles of PreachingW. Arthur, M. A.Acts 2:14-40
Elements of Power in Peter's SermonHomiletic MonthlyActs 2:14-40
Peter's Impulsiveness Useful Because Wisely DirectedW. H. Blake.Acts 2:14-40
Plain PreachingActs 2:14-40
Preaching on the Day of PentecostJ. Thompson, A. M.Acts 2:14-40
St. Peter to the MultitudeD. Fraser, D. D.Acts 2:14-40
St. Peter's First SermonG. T. Stokes, D. D.Acts 2:14-40
The First Apostolic Appeal to the MultitudeW. Hudson.Acts 2:14-40
The First SermonDean Vaughan.Acts 2:14-40
The Power of the Human VoiceJ. Parker.Acts 2:14-40
The SceneW. Arthur, M. A.Acts 2:14-40
The First Facts of Gospel PreachingR. Tuck Acts 2:22-28
Bonds Which Could not HoldActs 2:22-36
Christ Crucified According to the Determinate Counsel and Foreknowledge of GodJ. Beaumont, D. D.Acts 2:22-36
Christ Still Escaping from EntombmentC. H. Parkhurst, D. D.Acts 2:22-36
MiraclesPrincipal J. W. Dawson.Acts 2:22-36
Personal PreachingActs 2:22-36
The Connection of the Christian EventsE. Johnson Acts 2:22-36
The Effect of Pentecost Upon PeterJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 2:22-36
The First Christian ApologyJ. O. Dykes, D. D.Acts 2:22-36
The Gospel in its SimplicityW. Hudson.Acts 2:22-36
The Inevitableness of Christ's ResurrectionJ. Jowett, M. A.Acts 2:22-36
The Miracles of Christ Appealed to on the Day of PentecostExpository OutlinesActs 2:22-36
The Nature and Quality of the Death Christ Died Upon the CrossJ. Flavel.Acts 2:22-36
The Necessity of Christ's ResurrectionW. Gladden, D. D.Acts 2:22-36
The ResurrectionR. South, D. D.Acts 2:22-36
The Resurrection InevitableCanon Liddon.Acts 2:22-36
People
Arabians, David, Elam, Elamites, Israelites, Joel, Parthians, Peter
Places
Asia, Cappadocia, Crete, Cyrene, Egypt, Jerusalem, Judea, Libya, Mesopotamia, Pamphylia, Phrygia, Pontus, Rome
Topics
Accredited, Approval, Approved, Attested, Borne, Clear, Ear, Israelites, Know-, Listen, Marvels, Midst, Mighty, Miracles, Nazaraean, Nazarene, Nazareth, Performed, Power, Signs, Witness, Wonders, Works, Wrought, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 2:22

     1436   reality
     1449   signs, purposes
     2351   Christ, miracles
     5263   communication
     8135   knowing God, nature of

Acts 2:1-41

     7505   Jews, the

Acts 2:14-41

     7703   apologetics
     8712   denial of Christ

Acts 2:17-25

     6708   predestination

Acts 2:22-23

     1412   foreknowledge
     2033   Christ, humanity
     8702   agnosticism

Acts 2:22-24

     1416   miracles, nature of
     7756   preaching, content
     8028   faith, body of beliefs
     8425   evangelism, nature of

Acts 2:22-28

     5115   Peter, preacher and teacher

Acts 2:22-36

     2206   Jesus, the Christ

Acts 2:22-39

     6678   justification, Christ's work

Library
November 25 Evening
Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall he saved.--ACTS 2:21. Manasseh did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, and he reared up altars for Baal. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.--And …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 3 Evening
Things which are despised, hath God chosen.--I COR. 1:28. Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? Jesus, . . . saw two brethren, . . . casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me.--Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 4. "They were all Filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts ii. 4).
"They were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts ii. 4). Blessed secret of spiritual purity, victory and joy, of physical life and healing, and all power for service. Filled with the Spirit there is no room for self or sin, for fret or care. Filled with the Spirit we repel the elements of disease that are in the air as the red-hot iron repels the water that touches it. Filled with the Spirit we are always ready for service, and Satan turns away when he finds the Holy Ghost enrobing us in His garments …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Pentecost
Text: Acts 2, 1-13. 1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Pentecost Monday
Text: Acts 2, 14-28. Only the text, without a sermon, is printed in the edition of 1559 of Luther's works. This and the following epistle text are too long to consider here, as they contain so many beautiful quotations from the Old Testament, which should not be passed over too briefly. Hence their discussion is reserved for their proper place. …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Pentecost Tuesday
Text: Acts 2, 29-36. Only the text, without a sermon, is printed in the edition of 1559 of Luther's works. …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

The Name Above Every Name
'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.'--ACTS ii. 36. It is no part of my purpose at this time to consider the special circumstances under which these words were spoken, nor even to enter upon an exposition of their whole scope. I select them for one reason, the occurrence in them of the three names by which we designate our Saviour--Jesus, Lord, Christ. To us they are very little more than three proper …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

A Fourfold Cord
'And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.' --ACTS ii. 42. The Early Church was not a pattern for us, and the idea of its greatly superior purity is very largely a delusion. But still, though that be true, the occasional glimpses that we get at intervals in the early chapters of this Book of the Acts of the Apostles do present a very instructive and beautiful picture of what a Christian society may be, and therefore of what Christian …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

A Pure Church an Increasing Church
'And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.'--ACTS ii. 47. 'And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved.'--(R. V.) You observe that the principal alterations of these words in the Revised Version are two: the one the omission of 'the church,' the other the substitution of 'were being saved' for 'such as should be saved.' The former of these changes has an interest as suggesting that at the early period referred to the name of 'the church' had not yet been …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Abiding Gift and Its Transitory Accompaniments
'And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Fourfold Symbols of the Spirit
'A rushing mighty wind.' ... 'Cloven tongues like as of fire.' ... 'I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh.' --ACTS ii. 2, 3, 17. 'Ye have an unction from the Holy One.'--1 JOHN ii. 20. Wind, fire, water, oil,--these four are constant Scriptural symbols for the Spirit of God. We have them all in these fragments of verses which I have taken for my text now, and which I have isolated from their context for the purpose of bringing out simply these symbolical references. I think that perhaps we …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Peter's First Sermon
'This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 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. 34. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, 35. Until I make Thy foes Thy footstool. 36. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Historical and Spiritual Causes of the Death of Christ
"Him, being by the determined will and foreknowledge of God given up, through the hand of lawless men, ye affixed to a cross and slew."--ACTS II. 23. St. Paul places this in the very forefront of that gospel which, as it had been delivered to him, so he in his turn had delivered to the Corinthians, that "Christ died for our sins." Neglecting all, deeper interpretations of this, it is at least clear that in the apostle's mind there was the closest and most intimate connexion between the death of …
J. H. Beibitz—Gloria Crucis

The Necessity and Benefits of Religious Society
Eccles. 4:9-12 -- "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe be to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat; but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Among the many reasons assignable for the sad decay of true Christianity, perhaps the neglecting …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

The Great Assize
[i.e., The Last Judgment -- GL] [21] "We shall all stand before the judgement-seat of Christ." Rom. 14:10. 1. How many circumstances concur to raise the awfulness of the present solemnity! -- The general concourse of people of every age, sex, rank, and condition of life, willingly or unwillingly gathered together, not only from the neighboring, but from distant, parts; criminals, speedily to be brought forth and having no way to escape; officers, waiting in their various posts, to execute the orders …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Means of Grace
"Ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them." Mal. 3:7. I. 1. But are there any ordinances now, since life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel? Are there, under the Christian dispensation, any means ordained of God, as the usual channels of his grace? This question could never have been proposed in the apostolical church, unless by one who openly avowed himself to be a Heathen; the whole body of Christians being agreed, that Christ had ordained certain outward means, …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Pricked in their Heart
Peter's discourse was not distinguished by any special rhetorical display: he used not the words of man's wisdom or eloquence. It was not an oration, but it was a heart-moving argument, entreaty, and exhortation. He gave his hearers a simple, well-reasoned, Scriptural discourse, sustained by the facts of experience; and every passage of it pointed to the Lord Jesus. It was in these respects a model of what a sermon ought to be as to its contents. His plea was personally addressed to the people who …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889

The Baptism of the Spirit
And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind.... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.' (Acts ii. 2, 4.) The Holy Ghost is the active force in all spiritual life. It is, therefore, important that we should realize the close connexion between the experience of Holiness and that 'Promise of the Father' for which the early disciples were to wait. All followers of Jesus should realize, as truly as the disciples did on that historic day, that their day of Pentecost …
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

The Promises of the Christian Home.
"The promise is unto you, and to your children." ACTS II., 39. "Parent who plantedst in the joy of love, Yet hast not gather'd fruit,--save rankling thorns, Or Sodom's bitter apples,--hast thou read Heaven's promise to the seeker? Thou may'st bring Those o'er whose cradle thou didst watch with pride, And lay them at thy Savior's feet, for lo! His shadow falling on the wayward soul, May give it holy health. And when thou kneel'st Low at the pavement of sweet Mercy's gate, Beseeching for thine erring …
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
This is subject enough for volumes. There is scarcely a text in the Bible but what has been perverted by some one confused by the fogs of Babylon. Perhaps you can not find two individuals in the whole of sectism that see "eye to eye" upon the whole truth. To mention all the erroneous teachings of apostates would be almost impossible. However we believe it to be compatible with this work and to the glory of God to mention and refute a few of the false doctrines that have been most effectual in obscuring …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

How Does it Come?
How does the Filling of the Spirit come? "Does it come once for all? or is it always coming, as it were?" was a question addressed to me once by a young candidate for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. There are many asking the same question. We have considered how the Fullness is obtained, but now we proceed to consider, How does the Fullness come? In speaking of the blessing of being filled with the Spirit, the New Testament writers use three tenses in the Greek--the Aorist, the Imperfect, and the …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

Its Effects.
Among the effects and benefits which in this life accompany and flow from being filled with the Holy Ghost, may be mentioned the following:-- 1. Courage. "Oh, I could not do so and so--I have not the courage," is a reply frequently made by Christian people when asked to undertake some piece of service or other for the Master. The first point to be settled is, "Is that the Master's will for me?" If so, lack of courage is a confession to the lack of the "Fullness of the Holy Ghost." The Spirit-filled …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

Every Believer's Birthright.
On every hand a lack of something is being felt and expressed by God's people. Their Christian experience is not what they expected it would be. Instead of expected victory, it is oft-recurring, dreaded defeat; instead of soul satisfaction, it is soul hunger; instead of deep, abiding heart rest, it is disquiet and discontent; instead of advancing, it is losing ground. Is this all Christ meant when He said, "Come unto Me"? Is this life of constant disappointment the normal life of the Bible Christian? …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

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