The Book of Acts: To the Ends of the Earth (Acts 2:22-41)

October 5, 2025 Pastor: Ryan Rice Series: To the Ends of the Earth

Topic: God's Plan Scripture: Acts 2:22–41

The Book of Acts Part 5

God’s Plan, Our Response

Sunday, October 5th, 2025

Lead/Founding Pastor: Ryan Rice

 

Key Passage:

Acts 2:22–41, ESV

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

 

I. The Revealed Life of Jesus (v. 22)

Acts 2:22

• Mighty works

• Wonders

• Signs

• Jesus revealed as Messiah & Son of God

 

II. The Redemptive Death of Jesus (v. 23)

Acts 2:23

• God’s plan, man’s sin

• Justice against sin

• Love for sinners

• The cross = redemption

 

III. The Resurrection of Jesus (vv. 24-32)

Acts 2:24–32

• God raised Him up

• Death could not hold Him

• David foresaw it

• Apostles witnessed it

• Exalted at God’s right hand

 

IV. The Reign of Jesus (vv. 33-36)

Acts 2:33–36

• At God’s right hand

• Exalted by God

• Both LORD and Christ

• Jesus reigns as King

 

V. The Response to Jesus (vv. 37-41)

Acts 2:37–41

• Cut to the heart

• Repent

• Be baptized

• Forgiveness of sins

• Gift of the Holy Spirit

• 3,000 added that day

Big Idea: God’s plan is revealed in Jesus — and it calls for our response.

Talk It: Over God’s Plan, Our Response – Acts 2:22–41

Icebreaker: Share about a time you misunderstood someone’s identity at first (a teacher, a boss, a coach, etc.). How does that relate to people misunderstanding who Jesus really is?

The Revealed Life (Acts 2:22)

1. How did God reveal Jesus’ identity through His life and works?

2. Where have you seen Jesus clearly revealed in your own life?

The Redemptive Death (Acts 2:23)

3. What does “redemption” mean, and why is it central to the gospel?

4. How does knowing Jesus’ death was God’s plan give you confidence today?

The Resurrection (Acts 2:24–32)

5. Why is the resurrection essential to our faith? (See 1 Corinthians 15:17.)

6. How does Jesus’ victory over death give you hope in your struggles?

The Reign (Acts 2:33–36)

7. What difference does it make in daily life to know Jesus reigns as King right now?

8. Where do you struggle to surrender to His reign?

The Response (Acts 2:37–41)

9. What does true repentance look like in your life?

10. How can baptism serve as a bold witness of faith today?

11. What step of obedience is God calling you to take in response to this passage?

Pray together for courage to live under Christ’s reign and for boldness to invite others to respond to Him.

More in To the Ends of the Earth

January 15, 2026

The Book of Acts: To the Ends of the Earth (Acts 5:12–16)

January 8, 2026

The Book of Acts: To the Ends of the Earth (Acts 4:36-5:11)

November 20, 2025

The Book of Acts: To the Ends of the Earth (Acts 4:23-35)