May 18, 2014
Morning Service

Acts 2

 

            The book of Acts speaks concerning the actions of the early church, how it spread, and the works of the Apostles.  The Romans are in control of most of the known world at this time.  No wars are mentioned in this book, as the Romans are the conquering nation at this time, and it also doesn’t mention the destruction of the temple by the Roman general Titus.  AD70.

            As we think back on what we know concerning all the letters, we find interesting, and important statements, and topics, that will help us get the most out of our study.  Such as:

1.       Jesus fulfilling all the O.T. types, shadows, and sacrifices of the real things to come.  By His work on Calvary Jesus became our all in all, and whosever will accept His atoning work on Calvary.  He is our Passover Lamb.  There are so many of the sacrifices, and we can see where He fulfilled them all, even to becoming our Sabbath, or eternal rest.  He is our all in all.

2.     We hear Moses tell the people, “God will raise up a Prophet like unto me, Him shall ye hear.”

3.      Jeremiah prophesied, Jer 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

4.      Then we hear this in Rev., Rev 21:5-8  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.  (6)  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  (7)  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  (8)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

In Acts we are seeing all these things come to pass, and we are seeing all things becoming new. 

·         We remember Jesus saying in Matthew how that He would build His church, or the called out ones.  We are seeing this come to pass.  God is doing something wonderful, and it is new.

·         We have seen here in chapter two the fulfilling of the prophecy of Joel, “Act 2:17-21  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith 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 on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:  (19)  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:  (20)  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:  (21)  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.    THIS IS THE NEW.

·         We have seen Peter preach his first sermon, and use the keys that Jesus gave him in Matthew 16.  Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

Opening the doors to salvation for the Jews, all part of God’s new plan for mankind.

·         God is doing a tremendous work in the lives of these people that believe the gospel message.  Peter preached conviction to the hearts of these people that day, and told them that they were the ones that crucified God’s Christ.  Upon having their hearts pricked by this truth they ask Peter what they should do, and he gave them the formula for salvation.  “Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  For the promise to you, and to your children, and as many as are a far off, as many the Lord our God shall call.”  The results?  3000 obeyed the gospel in Peter’s first sermon.

SO WHAT NOW?

 

Act 2:42-47  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  (43)  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  (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 favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

Act 2:42-47  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

·         Apostle’s doctrine, or teachings.  God not only has seen fit to allow us to have what the Apostle’s taught, but also what Jesus taught, and this is what we teach THE BIBLE.

·         This would eventually become the basis for the church’s worship gathering.  At this point the breaking of bread was eating a meal together, but Paul clarifies our communion service in the letter to the Corinthians.  Teaching us how we should partake, and the importance of it.

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

·         By this God is confirming their authority.

(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.

·         This is a type of Socialism.  They find out that this doesn’t work so well.  Some were in it just for what they could get out of the church.  The church evolves from this pretty quickly.

(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 favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

·         What a great lifestyle this would be.  Today, in our society this is not practical.  It would only be for the retired, and unemployed.

·         Did eat their meat with gladness, and singleness of heart.  Somebody has got to work, and supply the money, and food.

·         Praising God, and having favor with all the people.  WITH ALL THE PEOPLE, not just the believers.  You see, they don’t have a name yet.  No denominations,  just believing disciples.

·         They have accepted the gift of whosoever will, and taken on the name of Jesus Christ. 

·         Then notice, last but not least, AND THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY SUCH AS SHOULD BE SAVED.  There is only one vote on who becomes a member of the church, and it is no one in the congregation.  IT IS GOD ALMIGHTY WHO ADDS PEOPLE TO HIS CHURCH.  Aren’t you glad.

 

He looks down from above and says, you know no one will be able to live up to My status, so they will be saved by accepting My Son’s sacrifice on Calvary, and THAT ALONE.  HIS SHED BLOOD WILL ATONE MANKIND FROM THEIR SINS, AND THAT ALONE.

 

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

Thank you God for this matchless, and marvelous gift.  Amen.