Both Seen and Heard: Acts 2:33
“33) Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.” Acts 2:33
Peter now includes the ascension and glorification of Christ in his message. He proclaims that Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God. It is His rightful position. This was a significant claim of Jesus about being the Christ, and it infuriated the Jewish religious leaders. This claim sealed His condemnation by the chief priest. (See Matthew 26:63-65)
Then Peter again speaks of the promise from the Father related to the Holy Spirit in his message. As mentioned previously, this is a consistent theme in the early chapters of the book of acts. Take a moment and compare Acts 1:42; 2:33 and 2:38-39 and Galatians 3:14. This promise was foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:12) and by Jesus in John 14-17.
A beautiful outline now emerges about the progression of the gospel. Look at following three points:
The Father sent Jesus. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit sends believers.
You can add many Scriptures and fill in sub points to this outline, but it speaks volumes. All members of the Trinity and the body of Christ are connected to the gospel. It must be very important. Be willing to be sent… even if it’s to your neighborhood, workplace or community.
Peter them emphasizes another point about the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in this verse. It was both “seen and heard.” It was not obscure or done in secret. It was not hidden. It became a public spectacle. In fact, it became momentous and spread rapidly.
Satan and the world has the churched gagged and silenced today around the lie that “faith is a private and personal matter.” Many have bought into this deception, but it doesn’t fit the biblical narrative. I will not argue that many precious encounters with God happen in the prayer closet or in times of solitude, but the great outpourings and workings of the Holy Spirit happen in the open.
Signs and wonders are to be seen and heard. They are God bearing witness of Himself and the gospel. (See Hebrews 2:4) The signs and wonders performed through Moses were in the open. They were intended for all to see and hear. The same is true of much of the public ministry of Jesus. Take a moment and review what Peter said earlier in this very message in Acts 2:22. The miracles, wonders and signs performed through Jesus were done openly and in public. They were seen and heard by many people.
Let me emphasize; God wants His works to be seen and heard. He wants to bear witness of Himself and confirm the gospel message. God is the main character on the stage of World Evangelization. We are merely the narrator on the side of the stage. This might stretch you, but one of the secrets of experiencing the power of God is to live out your faith openly and in public. By doing so, you turn the stage and spotlight over to God!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global