April 18, 2010
Evening Service

Acts 2:22-47

 

Review:

1.      This morning we saw the promise of the Father fulfilled along with the prophecy of Joel fulfilled.

 

This evening we want to finish Peter’s first sermon, and watch him use the keys to the Kingdom.  We are witnessing the beginning of the Lord’s church.

 

• Now let’s set the stage for the rest of this sermon.
• We have devout Jews from every nation gathered here on the day of Pentecost.  Devout means that they were serious with God.  They have come at great distances to worship, and obey God.
• This is fertile ground for the Gospel to take seed.
• Sincere people wanting to know more about the will of God for their lives.

 

Act 2:22-47  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 

• Many would have seen, or heard about this so they know what Peter is saying is the truth.

(23)  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 

• Peter lets them know that this was in Almighty God’s plan.
• You have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:   Can’t deny it.

(24)  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.  (25)  For David speaketh concerning him, ( I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:  (26)  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:  (27)  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  (28)  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.) 

• This is a man that was just a fisherman 3 years ago.  Probably attended the synagogue once in awhile.  I believe a pretty rugged individual, and not real well trained in the Scriptures.  But look at him now.
• He quotes the Psalms 16:8 – 11.  For David speaks concerning Him, the Christ.  Peter is saying that all this happened to Jesus of Nazareth.
• Of course the climaxing statement is always “whom you took and crucified.”  Bringing guilt, and placing the blood of Jesus on their heads.

(29)  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. 

• Peter is saying David didn’t go anywhere, he is still in the tomb in which he was buried.

(30)  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;  (31)  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.  (32)  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 

• Do you see how it all boils down to a testimony?  “You shall be witnesses to me to the ends of the earth.”
• We are all witnesses.  No doubt waving his hands toward the other 11.

(33)  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 

• Being by the right hand of God denotes ( power ).  This term is used consistently in the Scriptures to denote power.
• Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, ------Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
• He hath shed forth this, which you now see, and hear.   They cannot doubt this miracle.  They hear them speak in their native dialects.  These are not jibber jabbish, but known dialects.

 

Notice what he says next:

(34)  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,  (35)  Until I make thy foes thy footstool.  (36)  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 

• David, like everyone else is waiting for the resurrection.  The Hebrew writer says it very well;  Heb 11:38-40  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.  (39)  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  (40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

• As great as all these people were they are still waiting on the resurrection.  Look at it.  (God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. )  We all will be made perfect either at His coming, or when we are resurrected.
• Listen to Paul;  1Co 15:51-54  Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  (52)  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
• And again;  Phi 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:  (21)  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
• We will be changed.
• Then the clincher;  “   Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

(37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 

• This is the question we would like to hear more often.  What can I do to be saved?  What can I do to be pleasing to God, and have my sins removed, and forgiven? 
• Flesh, and blood is not going to enter into Heaven, and neither is sin.  Nothing that defiles will enter into Heaven.  That’s why we must be changed, our old bodies are sinful, and unpure, but they won’t be after we have been changed.   SO WHAT IS THE ANSWER?

(38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (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 God shall call. 

• There is the key that unlocks the gates of heaven.  The plan of salvation.  Here Peter uses the keys to open the gates for the Jews.  Later he will use them to open the gates for the gentiles.

(40)  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  (41)  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

• You see these people were allowed by God to receive this engrafted Word that is able to save their souls.  They knew the things Peter was saying was true, and they had a heart that wanted to please God.  Not everyone received it, but 3000 did.
• Added unto them, the 120.

(42)  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

• This is what we try to do.  We also are so blessed as to have what the Lord taught them.

(43)  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 

• Do you see how God is confirming His Word?  It is God that allows signs, and miracles to happen.

(44)  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  (45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  (46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  (47)  Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

• We are talking 3000 plus people here.  This is quite a stir that is taking place.
• We can see how the church has learned, and progressed over the years.  This is almost a commune.  No doubt many of the leaders of Judaism thought this to be a cult.
• But I can see where they found out this wasn’t going to work.  Some would eventually not work, and they would be called Christ mongers.  People that would take advantage of others.
• But they continued daily with one accord in the temple;   so we can see that they still worshipped in the synagogue.  This had to become quite a problem.
• Breaking bread from house to house, eating their meat with gladness, and singleness of heart.  Being fed the spiritual food, by the Apostles.
• Praising God, and having favor with all the people.  Whey shouldn’t they be praising God, their sins are forgiven, and they are on their way to heaven.
• Having favor with all the people,    why not?  Everyone should enjoy being around a Christian.  They should be full of Joy, mercy, Love, forgiveness, who wouldn’t want to be around people like that?
• And last but not least, we learn that you are not voted into a church, you don’t join a church, but the Lord adds you to His church upon your obedience to the Gospel.   Your name, which is already in the Lamb’s book of life, is highlighted, and will never be blotted out. 

 

Now if that’s not something to shout about, your shouter is broken.   Praise the Lord.