Today, we continue to read Peter's proclamation and the results. Here, we detect the sense of catholicity shared by the early Christian community. Keep in mind that the authors of the books in the New Testament wrote for the communities they lived in. To a certain extent, these books reflect the problems the communities face, the values and beliefs the community members shared. Luke wrote for the Gentile communities. Therefore, he naturally harboured a more global outlook than the narrowly nationalistic Jewish view expressed in the words of the apostles before Jesus' ascension.
So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6)
For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him (Acts 2:39).
So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6)
For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him (Acts 2:39).
Let's summarize Peter's kerygma:
1) He quoted Joel to defend the accusation of drunkenness of the disciples (Acts 2:14-21).
2) He quoted Psalm 16 to prove that Jesus had risen from the dead (Acts 2:22-29).
3) He further quoted Psalm 110 to prove that Jesus had ascended to heaven (Acts 2:30-35).
4) Conclusion:
Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified (Acts 2:36)
The kerygma was not convincing to modern ears at all because it appealed to the authority of the Scripture. The Jerusalem crowd two thousand years ago might find Peter impressive, especially if they knew that Peter was only a fisherman. But this would be very unlikely today. Yet, some hardcore Christians still employ this tactic.
We cannot deny the truth revealed in the Bible and the authority of the Bible over the life of Christians. But it is our responsibility to make the Biblical truth understandable to the people. Twenty centuries have gone by. The intellectual level of people has risen a lot. People desire more reasonable persuasions. That is why we need to study theology.
The quotation of Psalm 110 was quite popular among early Christians. It was quoted by Jesus to prove the divinity of the Messiah. Christ is more than just the son of David (e.g. Luke 20:41-44). Now, the Peter in the Acts used it again to prove the ascension of Jesus. Interpreting a psalm, a song in such a meaning was stretching an analogy too far. At least, it has not been the practice in the Chinese civilization. We call it 「穿鑿附會」 "a farfetched analogy".
Of course, the basic conclusion is still the same. God made Jesus Lord and Christ. This is elementary Christology. We still need to proclaim this message to the peoples in this world, but in a manner more understandable to them, more capable of serving the needs of them. Actions speak louder than words.
1) He quoted Joel to defend the accusation of drunkenness of the disciples (Acts 2:14-21).
2) He quoted Psalm 16 to prove that Jesus had risen from the dead (Acts 2:22-29).
3) He further quoted Psalm 110 to prove that Jesus had ascended to heaven (Acts 2:30-35).
4) Conclusion:
Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified (Acts 2:36)
The kerygma was not convincing to modern ears at all because it appealed to the authority of the Scripture. The Jerusalem crowd two thousand years ago might find Peter impressive, especially if they knew that Peter was only a fisherman. But this would be very unlikely today. Yet, some hardcore Christians still employ this tactic.
We cannot deny the truth revealed in the Bible and the authority of the Bible over the life of Christians. But it is our responsibility to make the Biblical truth understandable to the people. Twenty centuries have gone by. The intellectual level of people has risen a lot. People desire more reasonable persuasions. That is why we need to study theology.
The quotation of Psalm 110 was quite popular among early Christians. It was quoted by Jesus to prove the divinity of the Messiah. Christ is more than just the son of David (e.g. Luke 20:41-44). Now, the Peter in the Acts used it again to prove the ascension of Jesus. Interpreting a psalm, a song in such a meaning was stretching an analogy too far. At least, it has not been the practice in the Chinese civilization. We call it 「穿鑿附會」 "a farfetched analogy".
Of course, the basic conclusion is still the same. God made Jesus Lord and Christ. This is elementary Christology. We still need to proclaim this message to the peoples in this world, but in a manner more understandable to them, more capable of serving the needs of them. Actions speak louder than words.
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)
Reading the Bible is no comparison to listening to the Bible. Who on earth has ever had the heart-cutting feelings when he reads (silently) the Bible? When did you shed a drop of tear, reading the lyrics of a song, listening to the song or singing the song? We are moved more only when all our senses are more totally immersed. But of course, the grace of the Holy Spirit could not be ignored. All along, the Holy Spirit was working, in the disciples and in the audience as well. As a result, three thousand people were converted and baptized on Pentecost (Acts 2:41).
This year, 3024 people were baptized in the Hong Kong Diocese. How impressive! But it was the result of 18 months of hard work of all the instructors in the local parishes. Assuming a meeting of 90 minutes per week, it is translated into roughly 117 hours of instruction in total. May God bless them all, the newly baptized and the instructors. Amen.
Reading the Bible is no comparison to listening to the Bible. Who on earth has ever had the heart-cutting feelings when he reads (silently) the Bible? When did you shed a drop of tear, reading the lyrics of a song, listening to the song or singing the song? We are moved more only when all our senses are more totally immersed. But of course, the grace of the Holy Spirit could not be ignored. All along, the Holy Spirit was working, in the disciples and in the audience as well. As a result, three thousand people were converted and baptized on Pentecost (Acts 2:41).
This year, 3024 people were baptized in the Hong Kong Diocese. How impressive! But it was the result of 18 months of hard work of all the instructors in the local parishes. Assuming a meeting of 90 minutes per week, it is translated into roughly 117 hours of instruction in total. May God bless them all, the newly baptized and the instructors. Amen.
Dear Lord, bless the theologians. Grant them the wisdom to expound Your truth in more understandable terms for us. Amen.
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