Acts 2:37-47 “The First Gospel Explosion” (Pentecost-Part 3)
“…‘what must I do to be saved?’ They said,
‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Acts 16:30-31 (NASB)
Key Verse(s) – The response of the people to Peter’s Pentecost Sermon
Acts 2:42-43 (NASB) *1st century Body-life and the purpose of “signs and wonders” “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellow- ship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.”
Acts 2:44-45 (NASB) *The real definition of “fellowship” – But all things in balance! “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” Note: See 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13 below for balance
Acts 2:47 (NASB) *What America needs today—Another “Gospel explosion!”
“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Note: We are God’s apostles (“sent ones”) – but it is God who actually saves (cf. Isaiah 43:11)
Key x-References – “How should we then live?” (Francis Schaeffer, 1976)
1 Peter 3:21 (NAS) *Another verse – like Acts 2:38- that must be interpreted in context “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” *Note: Refers to temporal, not eternal, salvation – Baptism can save us from doubt
Matthew 12:41 (excerpts NASB) *”Baptism” does not save in Acts 2:38
“The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” *Note: “at” is the same word as “for” in Acts 2:38 = “because of”
2 Thessalonians 3:7-13 (excerpts NASB) *”all things in common” (2:44) – but in balance! “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you…For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all…”
Acts 15:12 (excerpts NASB) *The transitional nature of “signs” for authentication
“All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.”
Key Terms (most words have a ‘field of meaning’ —> various translations) “fellowship” (v.42; cf. v.44) Greek #2842 (19x), NASB koinônia, from Gk. #2844, and
2839 (translated “common” in v.44): fellowship:– contribution (2), fellowship (12), participation (2), sharing (3)
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”
Acts 9:31 (NASB)
The Book of Acts Series #6 7/18/21
The Birth and Expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ “…you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NASB)
Introduction – The transitional nature of the Book of Acts 1:1-5 I. Christian witness in Jerusalem 1:6-8:3
A. The Risen Lord – The 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection & ascension 1:6-26
B. Pentecost – Outpouring of the Holy Spirit – The birthday of the Church 2:1-47
- Pentecost/Jewish Feast of Weeks – Holy Spirit indwells the Church 2:1-13 2. Peter’s 1st Christian sermon – Explains the prophetic significance 2:14-36 3. People’s response to Peter’s message-an ingathering of believers 2:37-47
- The 1st Gospel “explosion” 2:40-41 “added about three thousand souls” a. Initial reaction of conviction and Peter’s exhortation/invitation 2:37-40
b. The response – those who “received his word” were [saved] baptized 2:41 c. Life in the Body of Christ in 1st century – How much is normative? 2:42-47
C. Healing the lame man in the Temple, Peter’s 2nd Sermon 3:1-26 D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37
E. Purging from within, more persecution from without 5:1-41
F. Choosing co-laborers – The first deacons 6:1-7
G. Stephen, the first martyr 6:8-8:3
II. Christian witness in Palestine and Syria 8:4-12:25
A. The Christians Scattered 8:4-40
B. The Conversion of Paul 9:1-31
C. The Conversion of Gentiles 9:32-11:30
D. The Christians Persecuted by Herod 12:1-25
III. Christian witness to the uttermost part of the earth 13:1-28:31 A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28
B. The Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35
C. The Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22
D. The Third Missionary Journey 18:23-21:26 E. The Journey to Rome 21:27-28:27
Key Verse(s) – Peter’s 1st Christian sermon at Pentecost and the people’s reaction Acts 2:37-38 (NASB) *Sign of true conviction which leads to repentance cf. 2 Cor. 7:10 “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” *Note: “for” = “because of” cf. Matt. 12:41
Acts 2:39 (NASB) *The promise of the Gospel of God’s unmerited grace – salvation “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
“…the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52 (NASB)