What Old Testament prophecies connect to the events described in Acts 2:37? Eyes on Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” Promises of the Spirit’s Outpouring • Joel 2:28-29 – “And afterward I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity…” (quoted by Peter in Acts 2:17-21, setting up the heart-piercing moment). • Isaiah 44:3 – “For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring…” • Ezekiel 37:14 – “I will put My Spirit in you and you will live…” Promises of a New Covenant Heart • Ezekiel 36:25-27 – “I will sprinkle clean water on you… I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you… I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes.” • Jeremiah 31:33-34 – “I will put My law within them and write it on their hearts… for I will forgive their iniquity…” Messiah Pierced and the People Mourning • Zechariah 12:10 – “Then they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child…” – anticipates the deep conviction felt when Israel recognizes the crucified Messiah. • Psalm 22:16-18 – prophetic description of the Messiah’s piercing, fueling Peter’s charge in Acts 2:23 that they had “crucified and killed” Him. The Word That Cuts • Isaiah 55:11 – “So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please…” – fulfilled as Peter’s Spirit-empowered sermon accomplishes exactly what God intended: conviction leading to repentance. • Deuteronomy 18:15-19 – the promise of “a Prophet like me from among your brothers.” Peter applies this to Jesus in Acts 3:22-23; recognition of that truth begins in 2:37. Key Takeaways • The piercing of hearts in Acts 2:37 fulfills multiple strands of Old Testament prophecy: the promised outpouring of the Spirit, the gift of a new heart, and the mourning over the pierced Messiah. • God had long foretold both the inner work (new heart, Spirit within) and the outer sign (mourning over the Pierced One) that would accompany the dawning of the new covenant. • Acts 2:37 stands as living proof that “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). |
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