Acts 2:22-36

22Peter then said, ‘People of Israel, listen to what I am saying! Jesus, the man from Nazareth, came with God's authority to do his work. God did many powerful and special things through him. These miracles showed you clearly that God had sent him. You know about all this. These things happened here, and you saw them.

23God knew that Jesus' enemies would give him to you. God had decided that this should happen. You let people who do not obey God's Law fix him to the cross. In that way you killed him.

24But after his death, God caused him to become alive again. God saved Jesus from the power of death. It was impossible for death to keep hold of him.

25A long time ago, King David spoke about the Messiah in this way: “I saw the Lord near me all the time. He is next to me, on my right side, so nothing will cause me trouble.

26Because of this, I am very happy, and I will praise you, God. I am human and one day I will die, but I know that you will help me while I live.

27When I die, you will not leave me in Hades, the place for dead people. You will not let anything destroy the body of your Holy One.

28You have shown me the paths that lead to life with you. I will be completely happy because you will be with me for ever.” ’

29Peter then said, ‘Friends, people of Israel, I must speak clearly to you about our ancestor, King David. He died and people buried his body in the ground. You can still see the place where people buried him.

30He was a prophet. He knew what God had promised to do for him. He knew that one of his descendants would be king of God's people one day.

31David understood what God would do in a future time. He did not speak about himself, but he spoke about the Messiah. He said that God would cause this man to become alive again after his death. God would not let him remain in Hades, the place for dead people. Nothing would destroy his body.

32This man that David talked about is Jesus. After his death, God caused him to become alive again. We ourselves saw this happen. All of us saw it.

33God took Jesus back up to heaven. He caused Jesus to sit at his right side, the place of great honour. Jesus received the Holy Spirit from his Father God, so that he could give the Spirit to us. This is what God had promised to do. God has poured his Holy Spirit on us. Now you are seeing and hearing the result of this.

34King David himself did not go up into heaven like Jesus did. But David said: “The Lord God said to my Lord: Sit at my right side until I beat your enemies completely.

35Then you will be able to put your feet on them.”

36So all you people of Israel must be sure to know this: It is this same Jesus that God has chosen to be the Messiah. God has made him to be our Lord. But you fixed him to a cross and you killed him.’