Acts 2:22-36

Having put the immediate events in their prophetic context, Peter turns to the recent events involving Jesus.

Once again it is based on what the people had seen. Many of them would have seen, and even more of them heard about, the miracles, signs and wonders that Jesus had done. He then places the responsibility for Jesus' death firmly with them and with the Roman authorities, and the priests. But all this was part of God's plan, then God raised Jesus from the dead.

Peter then quotes from Psalm 16. This Psalm talks of God's chosen one not seeing decay. Clearly this could not have been applying to David because David was dead and buried. David was a prophet and was looking forward to what God would do in Christ. In fact all of the Old Testament is looking forward to what God would do in Christ. The mistake of the Jews was to think that the Old Testament was it, when it was in fact a pointer to "it".

Peter and his companions had all seen the risen Christ and they testified to that fact. Jesus is risen, and Jesus is the Messiah, is the heart of the gospel message.