A Bible Study on the Book of Acts Session 6

The Church of the Holy Apostles;

Based upon the Homilies of St John Chrysostom (SJC)

Chapter 2 v. 14-15– Condescension

SJC – “For indeed it was divinely ordered that “some mocked” that he might have a starting point

Peter did not pass on to speak at once of the things of Christ, otherwise if they had not believed they would have stoned him to death

“And you even live in Jerusalem – Και οι κατοικούντες Ιεροσαλήμ.” SJC seems to suggest that living in Jerusalem was an honor, is he boosting their egos to gain their trust? “It seems they accounted it a high encomium to dwell in Jerusalem too.” (Homily p 31)

“As you suppose…” Peter allows for an innocent misunderstanding rather than attacking the crowd as mocking the Apostles. For Peter these points are not worth arguing about. (We could learn some lessons from this tactic)

Only the Third Hour so people were not at work but in the market places. See how carefully everything is “set up” by God? 

Chapter 2 v. 16-21 – Comfort and Credibility

This is what the Prophet Joel said, not ME but the PROPHET

“On all flesh” the HS is for everyone IF they want it. Peter does NOT mention the Gentiles directly so as not to rile them up, however even the Gentiles are included in “all flesh”

“Your sons and daughters” Peter removes possibility of envy in the crowd. These people you see here are YOUR people, not some strangers.

Great wonders are coming refers to both the Fall of Jerusalem AND the Return of Christ.

HISTORICALLY SJC cites Josephus who point to wonders when Jerusalem fell in 70 C.E. A common practice among ancient Fathers to interpret Prophecies in terms of the current Jewish life and the Second Coming, so verse 20 can refer to the Fall of Jerusalem AND the Return of Christ because people “looking back at 70 C.E. and Josephus will have seen the sun and moon as darkness and blood to represent the anguish of the people, AND how the future WILL be in anguish at the Return of Christ.

“It shall come to pass” fear turns to comfort.

Teaching on God is Good – see Homily pp 34-36

1. Not all will be saved – SJC reminds us of “Not everyone that says to unto Me, Lord, Lord” (Matthew 7.21) but those with inward earnest affection, with a life more than commonly good, with the confidence which is worthy.

2. “For surpassing goodness is, above all things, peculiarly God’s own, for also He says, ‘None is good save one, that is, God.’ Only let us not take this goodness for an occasion of negligence…for He also punishes as God.”

3. “But to those to whom we do good, we SEEM stern and severe, troublesome and disagreeable….in the marketplace.” Life Application – If we are to avoid feeling God’s goodness as evil, WE have to change how we view the world. God is good. How? “If in worldly matters, amusements are attended with such dissatisfaction, while disagreeable things are so beneficial, much more does this hold in things spiritual.” “The soul learns…” We call Jesus Christ “the Physician of our Souls” and from pain comes cure, both physical and spiritual. Just as in medicine. Jesus is asking, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5.6)