How does Acts 10:36 connect with Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah? Acts 10:36—Peter’s Summary of the Messiah’s Mission “He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” --- Phrase-by-Phrase Bridge to the Old Testament • “the people of Israel” – God’s covenant nation (Exodus 19:5-6), the first to receive Messianic promises (Romans 3:1-2). – Isaiah 49:6 foretells salvation beginning with Israel and spilling over to the Gentiles. • “gospel of peace” – Isaiah 52:7: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace…”. – Isaiah 9:6: the coming Son is “Prince of Peace.” – Zechariah 9:9-10: Messiah “will proclaim peace to the nations.” – Micah 5:5: “And He will be their peace.” • “through Jesus Christ” (literally “Jesus the Messiah”) – Psalm 2:2 speaks of “the LORD and His Anointed One.” – Daniel 9:26 names the coming “Anointed One” who is cut off yet triumphs. • “who is Lord of all” – Psalm 2:8: the nations given as Messiah’s inheritance. – Psalm 22:27: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD.” – Isaiah 45:23: “Every knee will bow… every tongue will swear allegiance.” – Daniel 7:14: universal dominion bestowed on the Son of Man. --- Old Testament Foundations for the “Gospel of Peace” 1. Promised Deliverer brings reconciliation • Genesis 3:15—first hint of a victorious Seed crushing evil. • Isaiah 53:5—“the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him.” 2. Peace is covenantal, not merely political • Numbers 25:12—“My covenant of peace.” • Ezekiel 37:26—the future “everlasting covenant of peace.” • Messiah embodies and secures this covenant (Isaiah 42:6). 3. Peace extends to the nations • Isaiah 49:6—“a light for the nations.” • Zechariah 9:10—dominion “from sea to sea.” --- Messiah as Universal Lord • Title “Lord” (Greek Kyrios) corresponds to the divine name YHWH in the Septuagint, equating Jesus with the covenant God. • Psalm 110:1—“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand…’” fulfilled in Acts 2:34-36 and echoed here. • Gentile inclusion in Cornelius’s house (Acts 10) proves the “Lord of all” promise literal and current. --- Putting It All Together • Acts 10:36 condenses centuries of prophetic expectation into one sentence: the Anointed Deliverer comes first to Israel, announces true peace, and rules every nation. • Peter’s claim hinges on Scripture’s literal accuracy: what prophets predicted, Jesus has done and will complete. • Therefore, the verse is not a new idea but the fulfillment of promises woven throughout the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings—now openly declared to Jew and Gentile alike. |
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