How does Acts 3:24 connect with Old Testament prophecies about Jesus? Setting the Scene in Acts 3 • Peter and John have just healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-10). • A crowd gathers, amazed; Peter preaches, pointing to Jesus as the glorified Servant foretold by the prophets (vv. 11-26). • Acts 3:24: “Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have proclaimed these days.” • “These days” refers to the life, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus now being experienced by the early church. Peter’s Claim in Acts 3:24 • Every recognized prophet—starting with Samuel—looked ahead to Messiah and the era now dawning. • Peter insists this was not an isolated promise but a consistent prophetic chorus. The Samuel-to-David Link • Samuel anointed David, establishing the royal line that culminates in Christ. • Key text: 2 Samuel 7:12-13 – “I will raise up your offspring after you … and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” • Acts 13:22-23 affirms Jesus as that promised heir. Messiah Foreshadowed in the Psalms • Psalm 2:7 — “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” (Correlated with Acts 13:33.) • Psalm 16:10 — “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol …” (Applied to Christ’s resurrection in Acts 2:27, 31.) • Psalm 22 — Details of the crucifixion (vv. 16-18) echoed in the Gospel narratives. • Psalm 110:1 — “Sit at My right hand …,” quoted in Acts 2:34-35 to explain Jesus’ exaltation. Messiah Foretold by the Major Prophets • Isaiah 7:14 — The virgin birth: “Behold, the virgin will be with child … Immanuel.” • Isaiah 9:6-7 — Government on His shoulders; throne of David forever. • Isaiah 53 — The suffering Servant: “He was pierced for our transgressions.” • Jeremiah 23:5-6 — “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch.” • Ezekiel 34:23-24 — One shepherd, My servant David, feeding the flock. • Daniel 7:13-14 — “One like the Son of Man” given everlasting dominion. • Daniel 9:26 — “Messiah will be cut off,” foretelling His atoning death. Messiah Foretold by the Minor Prophets • Micah 5:2 — Birth in Bethlehem. • Zechariah 9:9 — King enters Jerusalem on a donkey. • Zechariah 12:10 — People look on “Me whom they have pierced.” • Zechariah 13:7 — Shepherd struck, sheep scattered (applied in Matthew 26:31). • Malachi 3:1 — Forerunner sent to prepare His way, fulfilled in John the Baptist (Mark 1:2-4). Key Prophetic Themes Fulfilled in Jesus • A forever-King from David’s line. • A divine yet human Son. • A righteous Branch/Servant who suffers and bears sin. • Resurrection without decay. • Global, everlasting dominion. • Outpouring of the Spirit (Joel 2:28-32; referenced in Acts 2:16-21). • Inclusion of the nations (Isaiah 49:6; Acts 13:47). Why Acts 3:24 Matters • Peter anchors the gospel in a seamless story stretching from Samuel through all the prophets to Christ. • Fulfilled prophecy verifies Jesus’ identity and validates faith. • Scripture’s unity invites confident trust in every promise still awaiting consummation. |
    |