May 11, 2014
Evening Service

The Book of the Acts of the Apostles tells some fascinating stories of the events following Jesus ascension into heaven.  They are much more than stories though.  This is the history of the beginning of the Lord’s church.  As fascinating and entertaining as they are they also are written for a purpose.  God is setting in order the things He wants us to understand spiritually as well as knowing just the story.

This morning, we saw how He used “speaking in tongues (languages)” to jump start the spread of the gospel message.  As we “rightly divided” that we saw that this is in no way a requirement for our salvation.  As we continue through this book enjoy the stories, marvel at what God did through these men, but also look for the underlying spiritual truths that we can build our faith upon.

In verse 1-13 of chapter 2, we saw the promise of “power from above” being fulfilled.  This wonderful miracle drew a tremendous crowd as they all heard the disciples speaking in their own languages.  Peter again steps up to the plate and allows that newly given Holy Spirit to guide him in preaching his first sermon to those gathered there.

Act 2:14-21  But Peter, standing up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, Men, Jews, and all who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.  (15)  For these are not drunk as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day.  (16)  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:  (17) "And it shall be in the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.  (18)  And in those days I will pour out My Spirit upon My slaves and My slave women, and they shall prophesy.  (19)  And I will give wonders in the heaven above, and miracles on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke.  (20)  The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious Day of the Lord.  (21)  And it shall be that everyone whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

·         The crowd Peter is speaking to are very spiritual people.  They know the OT scriptures.  They are familiar with the prophecy Peter quotes here.  He knows who he is speaking to and uses that knowledge to “reason” with them about Jesus. (Isaiah 1:18)  Know who you are witnessing to and use that to reach them.

·         This is a very distinct event that in no way fulfills all Joel spoke of, but it certainly puts everything in motion.

Notice again verse 21 as it sets the criteria for who can be saved.

  (21) And it shall be that everyone whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

 

 

 

·         This new gospel message, the invitation to eternal life and a close, personal relationship with the Creator of the universe is to everyone.  Paul quotes this verse also in Romans 10:13.  He explains it well there that it is an act of faith only in calling upon God, not any works that we could do.  We however, do have to obey what Peter will soon present very plainly to this crowd.

 

Act 2:22-28 Men, Israelites, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by powerful works, and wonders and miracles, which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know,  (23)  this One given to you by the before-determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken and by lawless hands, crucifying Him, you put Him to death;  (24)  whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.  (25)  For David speaks concerning Him, "I foresaw the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, that I should not be moved.  (26)  Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue was glad; and also My flesh shall rest in hope,  (27)  because You will not leave My soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your holy One to see corruption.  (28)  You revealed to Me the ways of life. You will fill Me with joy with Your countenance."

·         Notice the personal touch Peter adds to his story;  you have taken and crucified.

·         He then again uses scripture to support his claims of Jesus’ resurrection.  Prophecy written by David about how Jesus would not see the corruption of the grave but is delivered from it.

 

Act 2:29-35  Men, brothers, it is permitted to speak freely as to the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.  (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 upon his throne, (31) seeing this beforehand, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor would His flesh see corruption,  (32)  God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses.  (33)  Therefore being exalted to the right of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you now see and hear.  (34)  For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he says himself, "The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand (35)  until I place Your enemies as a footstool to Your feet."

·         Peter also now calls upon his personal experience of seeing and being with Jesus after His resurrection.  These are the two keys of sharing the gospel; scripture and our personal experiences.  Both of these allowing the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding and our testimony.

 

Act 2:36-37 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.  (37)  And hearing this, they were stabbed in the heart, and said to Peter and to the other apostles, Men, brothers, what shall we do?

·         These are the words God longs to hear from us.  These Jews realized the truth and now seek a way to make up for their shortcomings.

·         God, through the newly given Holy Spirit in Peter, now outlines what God requires of us to receive forgiveness and to reinstate us into a right relationship with Him.  It has an extreme simplicity to it, yet depths that take a lifetime to fully grasp ahold of.

 

Acts 2: 38-41 Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  (39)  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.  (40)  And with many other words he earnestly testified and exhorted, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”  (41)  Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day there were added about three thousand souls.

·         Repent- To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken and a desire to change.  It is an internal realization that you are not where you want to be with God and you want to make whatever changes you need to make to remedy that fact.

·         Baptized-Immersed under water in a symbolic, spiritual act representing our own death burial and resurrection.

 

Rom 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound?  (2)  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?  (3)  Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?  (4)  Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life.

 

Peter puts no further requirement on them besides repenting and obeying the command to be baptized.  This would have been a perfect place to add “and speak in tongues,” but it isn’t there.  Through repentance and baptism we receive the eternal Spirit of God which grants us eternal life.

 

“Those who gladly received” refers to those who believe or exhibit faith in this gospel message.  They are willing to give God their hearts and allow Him to work in their lives.  It is the beginning of a lifetime journey with God as our Lord, Master, Savior, and Father.

 

Rom 10:9-11 Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.  (10)  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.  (11)  For the Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame."

·         The two factors mentioned here are confession and believing.  You can say almost anything, but the key here is that you believe it in your heart.  If God controls your heart all your actions and works will follow suit.

 

Jas 2:18 But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith from my works.

 

Your works will not earn your salvation; they are produced because of your salvation.

Lord, thank you for the simplicity of salvation and help us to truly believe.