Promise Provisions

[Acts 2:39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our G-d shall call.
For the promise - That is, the promise respecting the particular thing of which he was speaking--the influences of the Holy Ghost. This promise he had adduced in the beginning of his discourse, (2:17,) and he now applies it to them. As the Spirit was promised to descend on Jews and their sons and daughters, it was applicable to them in the circumstances in which they then were. The only hope of lost sinners is in the promises of G-d; and the only thing that can give comfort to a soul that is convicted of sin, is the hope that G-d will pardon and save.
To you - Jews, even though you have crucified the Messiah. The promise had especial reference to the Jewish people.
To your children - In Joel, to their sons and daughters, who should, nevertheless, be old enough to prophesy. Similar promises occur in Isaiah 44:3, "I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring," and Isaiah 59:21. In these and similar places, their descendants or posterity are denoted. It does not refer to children as children, and should not be adduced to establish the propriety of infant baptism, or as applicable particularly to infants. It is a promise, indeed, to parents that the blessings of salvation shall not be confined to parents, but shall be extended also to their posterity. Under this promise parents may be encouraged to train up their children for G-d; to devote them to Hs service; believing that it is the gracious purpose of G- to perpetuate the blessings of salvation from age to age.
To all - To the whole race; not limited to Jews.
Afar off - To those in other lands. It is probable that Peter here referred to the Jews who were scattered in other nations; for he does not seem yet to have understood that the Scriptures was to be preached to the Gentiles. Acts 10. Yet the promise was equally applicable to the Gentiles as the Jews; and the apostles were afterwards brought to understand it, Acts 10; Romans 10:12, 14-20, Romans 11. The Gentiles are sometimes clearly indicated by the expression "afar off," Ephesians 2:13, 17; and they are represented as having been brought nigh by the blood of the Messiah. The phrase is equally applicable to those who have been far off from G-d by their sins and their evil affections. To them also the promise is extended if they will return.
Even as many - The promise is not to those who do not hear the Scripture, nor to those who do not obey it; but it is to those to whom G-d, in His gracious Providence, shall send it. He has the power and right to pardon. The meaning of Peter is, that the promise is ample, full, and free; that it is fitted to all, and may be applied to all; that there is no defect or want in the provisions or promises; but that G-d may extend it to whomsoever He pleases. We see here how ample and full are the offers of mercy. G-d is not limited in the provisions of His grace; but the plan is applicable to all mankind. It is also the purpose of G-d to send it to all men; and He has given a solemn charge to His Messianic church to do it. We can not reflect but with deep pain on the fact that these provisions have been made, fully made; that they are adapted to all men; and yet that by His people they have been extended to so small a portion of the human family. If the promise of life is to all, it is the duty of the Messianic church to send to all the message of eternal mercy.
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Save yourselves - This expression here denotes--Preserve yourselves from the influence, opinions, and fate of this generation. It implies that they were to use diligence and effort to deliver themselves. G-d deals with men as free agents. He calls upon them to put forth their own power and effort to be saved. Unless men put forth their own strength and exertion, they will never be saved. When they are saved, they will ascribe to G-d the praise for having inclined them to seek Him, and for the grace whereby they are saved.
Untoward - "Perverse, refractory, not easily guided or taught." This character they had shown uniformly. They were smooth, cunning, and plausible; but they were corrupt in principle, and wicked in conduct. To break away from them was to set at defiance all their power and doctrines; to alienate themselves from their teachers and friends; to brave the power of those in office, and those who had long claimed the right of teaching and guiding the nation. The chief danger of those who were now awakened was from this generation; that they would deride, or denounce, or persecute them, and induce them to abandon their seriousness, and turn back to their sins and give themselves to Messiah.