Did Peter make a mistake in quoting Joel? PROBLEM: In Acts 2, Pentecost arrives, and the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit. In response to criticism, Peter says that what they hear and see was “spoken by the prophet Joel” (cf. Joel 2:28-32). Yet, in the passage that Peter quotes, there are... [ Continue Reading ]
Is David in heaven or not? PROBLEM: Peter seems to imply here that David was not in heaven. He wrote, “David did not ascend into the heavens.” Yet the Bible indicates that David was one of God’s choice servants (Acts 13:22) who obviously went to be with his Lord when he died (cf. Matthew 22:42-46).... [ Continue Reading ]
Did Peter declare that baptism was necessary for salvation? PROBLEM: Peter seems to be saying that those who responded had to repent and be baptized before they could receive the Holy Spirit. But this is contrary to the teaching of Paul that baptism is not part of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17) an... [ Continue Reading ]
Did early Christians practice communism? PROBLEM: Some have inferred from the fact that these early Christians “sold their possessions” and had “all things in common” that they were practicing a form of communism. However, even the Ten Commandments imply the right to private property, forbidding on... [ Continue Reading ]