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ACTS CHAPTER 2

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Written by Ralph Norwood

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ACTS CHAPTER 2

INTRODUCTION ON THE BAPTISM AND THE FILLING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

First, it is very important that we understand something about the terms, “baptism of the Spirit” and “filling of the Spirit.” Most believers, regardless of their persuasion confuse the term. Some refer to baptism when they really mean filling. Other believers talk about filling when they really mean baptism. My object is not to try to “undo” you as a Pentecostal or correct you as a Calvinist. I would like for all us to know when the baptism BEGAN and when the filling BEGAN.
You must understand that Acts is in transition....and by this term I mean that in chapter 1 of Acts we are in ONE AGE and within two verses of chapter 2 we begin a NEW AGE. There is a difference in the two ages. There was no such thing as the Holy Spirit or Christ INDWELLING the believer in the Old Age. In chapter 1 they were EQUIPPED but in chapter 2 they will be EMPOWERED. In chapter 1 they were HELD BACK and in chapter 2 they were SENT FORTH. When we get to chapter 2 the barriers will be removed. There will not be a Jewish Body and a Gentile Body of Christ. We are all ONE IN CHRIST. As you will see, this was very difficult for the Jew to realize and understand.
Remember this about the New Age. In the old age, He was WITH YOU and in the new age, He is IN YOU. Men now will serve Him born out of love and devotion to Jesus Christ. The basis for the new age is more intimate...for He now dwells within us. It is as Paul said, “Christ in you.” There was no such thing as “Christ in you” or even “God within you.”
I found a great little outline of this chapter 2 which is easy to follow.
1. The Coming of the Holy Spirit 1-4
2. The effects of the coming. 5-13
3. The sermon of Peter. 14-36
4. The effects of the sermon 37-42
5. The early Church. 43-47

2:1

“when the day of Pentecost was fully come or came”

Let us make some statements about Pentecost.
1. Pentecost means fiftieth. It celebrates the first fruits of the wheat harvest. Thus, the coming of the Holy Spirit was a matter of divine chronology.
Note the three feasts.
1. PASSOVER: [Lev. 23:4-5] When the blood was placed over the lintel...and this pictured the death of Christ. He died on Passover Day.....and He died as the Passover Lamb.
2. FIRST FRUITS: [Lev. 23:10-11] This was on the next day after the Sabbath....after the Passover. This would be our Sunday. This was barley first fruits....they would gather the first fruits and then praise God for the whole crop....they did this by faith. Christ is the perfect picture of the first fruits as stated in I Cor 15:20....”Christ the first fruits of them that slept.” [in order words, because He lives, we will live also....His resurrection is my guarantee that my resurrection will take place....He rose on the FIRST FRUITS. His Resurrection then was the guarantee or first fruits that our resurrection will take place.
3. HARVEST [FEAST OF HARVEST OR PENTECOST] Lev. 23:15-16] This day came exactly 50 days after it all...this celebrated the wheat harvest. Thus, it was the divine timetable for this day to occur and it had nothing to do with anything that the 120 might have been doing. I hate to say this but if the 120 had been in a fist fight there still would have been Pentecost on the 50th day. The day had nothing to do with Peter or with the 12O gathered there or the fact that they had unity and were in prayer. This day had nothing to do with their personal spirituality. PENTECOST ALWAYS CAME ON THE FIFTIETH DAY.

2:1-4

“they were all together in one place”

Comments: The place was most likely the house where they had held the Passover. I have also no doubt that all 120 were present. I have no reason from the text to believe that ONLY the 12 were gathered there.

2:2

“Came a sound like the blowing of a violent wind.”

It was SUDDEN. It came without any warning. It had nothing to do with anything they were saying or praying or even thinking. The word for wind here is “blast of breath.” It was the sound of wind...it was the NOISE of wind without the wind itself. Lesson: I personally believe it was THE BLAST OF THE BREATH OF GOD AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD.
It was “from heaven.” [I like this for it takes it out of the hands of either Satan or man.]
Thus far, we have had three elements:
1. TIME ELEMENT: “when the Day of Pentecost was fully come.” 2:1
2. GEOGRAPHIC ELEMENT: “all together in one place.” Jerusalem was the place.
3. PHYSICAL ELEMENT: Here in v. 2, you have a SIGHT and a SOUND element.
4. What you have on Pentecost involved:
1. A SOUND TO HEAR [It came from heaven and filled the whole house]
2. A SIGHT TO SEE [Divided tongues as of fire]
3. A MIRACLE TO EXPERIENCE [This was the filling of the Holy Spirit]

2:2

“and it filled all the house where they were sitting”

Right at this place is where I believe the BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT OCCURRED. The whole 12O people were IMMERSED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. Right here is where the fulfillment of Acts 1:5 occurs.
Now, it is time for us to stop and make some comments and hope that this question of the BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT and where it all BEGAN will be put into some order.
1. first, this baptism of the Spirit was NON EXPERIENTIAL. We often hear from some that the Baptism by the Spirit is an EXPERIENCE....but I cannot find that in the text. It is a sovereign action by God and has nothing to do with spirituality....and this is why none of the 12O were left out in the upper room.
2. second, before you accuse me of being without “feeling” and “afraid of the experiential” let me just slide into this space that the FILLING WITH THE SPIRIT IS EXPERIENTIAL. There is no way to be filled with The Spirit and keep it quiet..
3. third, the fact that all 12O were included is in keeping with I Cor 12:13 which says “by one Spirit were we ALL baptized into one body.” [which is the act of God whereby He takes the believer and places him into the Body.}
  1. By the way, there is no FEELING TO BEING BAPTIZED BY THE SPIRIT. When you are filled, there is feeling....and we will note this in coming verses.
4. fourth, Get the order:
  1. The Baptism comes first....and was the fulfillment of Acts 1:5
  2. The Filling Comes next....which we have in Acts 2:4
  3. The Baptism is DEFINED in I Cor 12:13....when He takes the believer and places him into the Body of Christ. [as far as I know this is the ONLY place in New Testament where baptism is defined].
    1. Gal. 3:27....”for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” [the baptism puts you into union with Him...in the Body].
    2. Rom. 6:3,4...”know you not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death.” [ THERE IS NO WATER IN THIS BAPTISM]
    3. Col 2:9..12....”buried with Him in baptism.” [non water kind]

2:3

“there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder”

I would have you to note that ALL had the tongues of fire...not just the twelve apostles. NO ONE WAS LEFT OUT.....every single believer received the Spirit.
I think we should make a note here:
1. The occurrence of tongues on the Day of Pentecost should NOT be used to prove that tongues are the invariable accompaniment of the gift of the Spirit. [note the following]
  1. The conversion of the 3,000 in Acts 2:41...[there is no mention of tongues here]
  2. The conversion of the 5,000 in Acts 4:4 [no mention of tongues here either]
  3. The reception of the Holy Spirit by the Samaritans in Acts 8:17.
I think it is important to mention that there are only TWO OTHER occurrences of tongues in Acts.
1. At the conversion of the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius Acts. 10:46
2. At the rebaptism of John’s disciples in Ephesus Acts 19:6.

2:3

“they were all filled with the Holy Ghost”

Now, do you see the TWO DISTINCT THINGS. [the baptism and the filling are different]. Both the BAPTISM and the FILLING can occur at salvation....and at the same time...but just note that they are NOT THE SAME...There are MANY fillings but only ONE baptism.
Let me list some verses on the FILLING of the Spirit.
1. Acts 4:8...Peter is again filled. He was filled in 2:4 and again filled here in Acts 4:8. [He was filled, not baptized]
2. Acts 4:31...”filled with Holy Spirit and spoke the word with boldness.”
3. Acts 6:5...”full of the Holy Ghost.” [note the power in v. 8]
4. Acts 9:17...v. 20...Paul was filled and there was immediate response in v. 20.
5. Acts 11:22...full of the Holy Spirit.
6. Acts 13:9 and v. 52...note how the filling of the Spirit fired them up.
Question at this place in our study” Since all of this is transition...which means you have the CLOSING of one age and the OPENING of a new age.....thus, this is why the 12O who were saved for however long and still did not have the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God COULD NOT INDWELL BELIEVERS UNTIL HE HAD ASCENDED. This is why some of you think that the indwelling of the Spirit comes after salvation.....because this was the way it was with the 12O believers, even including the apostles. Question: IS THE NORM 50 DAYS AFTER YOU GET SAVED...YOU THEN GET THE HOLY SPIRIT?? [the reason it occurred later on was because this was transition...Christ had not yet ascended to the Father]
Conclusion: The baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Birth of the Church OCCURRED SIMULTANEOUSLY.

2:4

“they were all filled with the Holy Ghost”

Now, you cannot be filled with something that you do not already have. They were indwelt and placed into the Body in v. 2 and now they are filled with the Spirit. There is a Biblical meaning of what it is to be filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:18-21. NOTE THE FOLLOWING.
1. COMMUNICATION: “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” I think the chapters following this chapter will give you a real picture of what it means for a believer to communicate with another believer. You will see a group in chapter 4 of Acts who are so sensitive to the needs of each other....that they go down to the local real estate office and put their property up for sale...just because there were other believers in need who were hurting. YOU ARE REALLY COMMUNICATING WHEN YOU ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE YOUR MONEY.
2. JOY: they were "singing and making music in their heart to the Lord.” Eph. 5:19. I will tell you that when you are filled with the Spirit, it will takes its toll in the song service. You will not need to have to sing the same chorus 6 times in order to get the saints pumped up. Billy Bray the Cornish coal miner was so alive that when he would descend the shaft in the coal mine in the morning he would pray, “Lord, if any of us must be killed today, let it be me...let not one of these men die, for they are not happy and I am.”
3. THANKSGIVING: “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 5:20
4. SUBJECTION TO ONE ANOTHER: “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Eph. 5:21. These four qualities of being filled with the Spirit are really “where the rubber hits the road” in the Christians life.
Thus we learn that being “filled with the Spirit” [which simply means to be controlled by the Spirit] will lead to harder, more difficult things than speaking in another dialect. It will mean songs, hymns, obeying your husband and loving your wife. Note that when Paul defines the filling of Spirit, it has NOTHING to do with languages.

2:4

“began to speak with tongues”

Thus far, we have had three elements.
1. SIGHT ELEMENT v. 3
2. SOUND ELEMENT v. 2
3. SPEECH ELEMENT v. 4
Some notations about the tongues:
1. It is important to note that the tongues came as a result of their FILLING. Note that in v. 4 when they were filled, they spoke with tongues. I mention this for those who tell us that when “you are baptized with the Holy Ghost, you will have a proof via tongues.”
2. It is also important for you to note that the word BAPTIZE is NOT used in v. 4...but the word FILLED is used. I mention this so that the next time you use this section...use it correctly by saying that “when you are FILLED [not baptized} with the Holy Spirit you will speak in tongues.”
3. It is also important to mention that TONGUES are only spoken of three times in Acts. [you would think by listening to some that it was on every page and chapter in Acts].
  1. Acts 2:4...[this is the only place where the phenomenon is explained. Here it is portrayed as an UNDERSTANDABLE FOREIGN LANGUAGE...for notice v. 8. There are 15 entities or languages mentioned in 2:9-11. This surely proves that tongues here was KNOWN human languages. Note v. 6....”heard them speak in his own dialect.”
  2. Acts 1O:46
  3. Acts 19:6
4. I might also mention something about a CLASSIFICATION of tongues
  1. Only ONE reference to tongues in the four gospels.
  2. THREE distinct references to tongues in Acts.
  3. Only ONE reference to tongues in the 21 epistles
  4. There is NO reference in Revelation.
There are basically three ways in which tongues has been treated by preachers.
1. SOME SAY that it is KNOWN FOREIGN LANGUAGES...This group would say that every time you see tongues in the Bible it has reference to known foreign language.
2. SOME SAY it always means ECSTATIC SPEECH. Thus, it is not a language with nouns, verbs, prepositions etc...but is UNKNOWN ECSTATIC SPEECH.
3. SOME SAY that sometimes it is language and then at other times it is ecstatic.
Let us deal with one of the positions which is the position that tongues WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION IS ALWAYS KNOWN FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
1. Acts 2:4-11....Notice v. 6...where these men were speaking NOT IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE GREEKS....but these men, being Galileans were able to speak in other languages. Note the little phrase “in his own language.” [v.6] The word for language is ALWAYS used of a SPOKEN LANGUAGE. Thus, here in v. 6 there is NO ecstatic speech but they were amazed because they heard them speak in their OWN LANGUAGE OR DIALECT. In 2:7 it makes it even clearer...they were amazed that these Galileans could speak in such a language....for Galileans were thought to be kind of dumb and uneducated. Then notice v. 8....which is additional proof that the “languages” were NOT ecstatic speech. Then how about v. 11 for more proof that they were actual languages.
Let’s draw some conclusions about tongues.
1. first, tongues were DIVINELY GIVEN...no doubt about this.
2. second, it was the ability to SPEAK IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE....and the languages are listed for us...15 in all.
3. third, the ones speaking in tongues had had no previous learning....they did not go to school to learn these languages they were speaking.
4. fourth, without trying to be a “know it all” I have to conclude that the tongues in Acts 2:4 were nothing MORE THAN DIALECTS.
5. fifth, remember also that here in Acts 2:4 is the ONLY PLACE where the phenomenon is explained....and here it is explained in the verses that follow the speaking in tongues...Here there is no doubt that it was an UNDERSTANDABLE FOREIGN LANGUAGE.

MORE ON THE BAPTISM BY THE SPIRIT

I Cor 12:13 is the ONLY VERSE in the Bible, to my knowledge which really DEFINES the meaning of “baptism.” “by one Spirit were we all baptized into one Body.” When we go beyond the book of Acts, every single time Paul talks about the Baptism it is in past tense. Paul never, never says “you should be baptized.” Remember the following from I Cor 12:13
1. Every believer has been so baptized. “were we all” [the “all” even included some questionable characters in the church at Corinth.]
2. It is a past event in every believers life. “were we all”
3. It has reference to the believer’s being “brought into the body of Christ...where he is united vitally and organically to Christ. Because of this union I can say forthrightly that I am “in Christ”.
4. There is no distinction among believers in this respect. All privilege has come to an end. There is no longer something for Jews and something for Gentiles. We are all ONE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.
  1. Remember: The tense in v. 13 points to an accomplished fact. “were we” is how it reads. By the way, this verse in I Cor 12:13 was written to the carnal Corinthians. [3:1] Note that Paul says “were we ALL” and that includes some guilty of immorality, entering into litigation with one another and of eating meats that had been sacrificed to idols.
  2. Why? Well, baptism of the Spirit here has nothing to do with our STATE as believers, but with our STANDING....and is the occasion and means of our incorporation into the Mystical Body of Christ. Also in Gal. 3:27, when the mention of the baptism, the tense is the same as I Cor 12:13...and points to something already accomplished and complete.
Acts 1:5 told us that “not many days hence” we will be baptized. Thus, if we could pinpoint when the baptism started, then we could pin point when the church started. Thus, we know from Acts 1:4-5 that it would be within a “matter of days.”
1. BUT when you go to Acts 2:1-2 and see if there is anything said about the “Baptism of the Spirit” you will find that there is NOT a word about baptism.
2. BUT if you go to Acts 11:15-17...and notice what Peter says. In v. 15 he uses a phrase “as at the beginning.” [we all know that the beginning was the Day of Pentecost] Then notice v. 16 where Peter uses the word “baptize.” Please note that the word “baptize” is used here in Acts 11:16 but NOT used in Acts 2:1-4.
3. WHAT Peter does in Acts 11:16 is to INTERPRET IN CHAPTER 11 WHAT HAPPENED IN CHAPTER 2 OF ACTS. I would also note that Peter uses a different word for what happened to Gentile believers. He says “the Holy Ghost FELL on them.” [v. 15]
I would also like to mention that on NO OTHER OCCASION, either in Acts or in Acts 1O with Cornelius or in Acts 19:6 is the word BAPTIZE used. NOT ONCE AFTER PENTECOST, to which Acts 1:5 has reference to is the term “baptizing with the Spirit” found.
Thus, no text commands the baptizing of or with the Spirit. There is absolutely no text in scripture which says “be baptized with or by the Spirit.” IT IS JUST NOT IN THE WORD OF GOD. Paul always talks about the baptism in PAST TENSE.
The baptism is NEVER linked to tongues other than to specific DIALECTS as in Acts 2.
The Baptism by the Spirit is connected to SALVATION not SPIRITUALITY. Baptism means “.placing into something” LISTEN, THE BRAND NEW THING AT PENTECOST WAS TO BE “PUT INTO CHRIST.” [this was never possible until believers were baptized or placed into the Body of Christ. When was the last time you heard believers talking about Pentecost as being the time when believers were put “into Christ” or “baptized into the Body?”
Finally, remember that the epistles record DOCTRINE. Acts is not a book of doctrine but of history. The doctrine of Acts is explained in the Epistles of Paul. Question: Would there be any problem, any question about the meaning of “baptism by the Spirit” if we went to the epistles for our explanation? The problem is that people take the FACTS in Acts and try to explain those facts without going to the epistles of Paul.
Remember this, when the three thousand at Pentecost were saved and filled, there is no record of any gift of tongues with the three thousand. Later when five thousand are saved, there is no mention of tongues.
Also, why would tongues be the last and least of the gifts in I Cor 12:14...and not especially to be desired...if it had been as some teach the special mark of the baptism by the Spirit.
there are no less than 7 words employed to set forth the mission and ministry of the Spirit in relation to the saints. They are:
1. The Baptism I Cor 12:13
2. The Indwelling I Cor 3:16
3. The Gift Acts 2:38
4. The Sealing Eph. 4:30
5. The Earnest Eph. 1:14
6. The Anointing II Cor 1:21
7. The Fullness Eph. 5:18.
  1. Surely it cannot be imagined for a moment that these words are used INTERCHANGEABLY or INDISCRIMINATELY throughout the New Testament.

2:12-13

Note the conclusions people came to about the Apostles following Pentecost.
1. AMAZEMENT v. 12 “they were all amazed.” This is what we call mental arrest...for they could not figure out the meaning of what they saw and heard.
2. PERPLEXED v. 12....Perplexity is a mental defeat....still no illumination about what had happened.
3. MOCKING: v. 13 Now, mocking is a mental activity...they were compelled to come to some conclusion...and usually men will do most anything other than admit that it might be of God.
4. FULL OF NEW WINE: v. 13 The modern day counterpart would be that those people are “on something.”
5. THE INQUIRING MIND: “what meaneth this” This introduces to Peter an opportunity to preach to them. Remember, the crowd did NOT come to hear Peter preach, but the CROWD WAS DRAWN BY THE CHURCH. It was a church on fire that attracted the people and as the people were amazed, perplexed, and mocking, Peter stood up to preach.
Lessons to us from these conclusions: I wonder if there is anything in me that amazes people or perplexes people or even invokes criticism from people. Have you or your church ever been accused of being “full of new wine” metaphorically? I cannot imagine anything more complimentary than for the world to say that those Christians are “drunk.” As someone as said, I am afraid that the flashing eye, the pulsating sound, the enthusiasm and the convictions of the early church have been lost. When people come into contact with us, their conclusions should be “amazed” “perplexed” and “criticism.” I really believe that when Saul of Tarsus witnessed the dying of Stephen, he was amazed, perplexed, and critical and later on converted. I would take it as a compliment if someone said about me....”He is drunk on Jesus.” I am reminded as we close on this section that all of you reading this and the one who is writing these notes should every day, every week be producing three qualities to the world around us: AMAZEMENT, PERPLEXITY, CRITICISM.
Understand the change in these men. Before Pentecost they had been “sentimentally one with Him.” They had been “emotionally one with Him.” Before Pentecost, it was impossible for these men to actually become SHARERS OF HIS VERY LIFE. That was impossible before Pentecost and before the Church began. Remember, Buddha was never able to communicate his actual life into his disciples; Confucius was never able to communicate his very person into the lives of his followers. Pentecost really meant that HIS ACTUAL LIFE passed into their lives and from that moment on they were able to say with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me.” There was now IDENTITY OF LIFE. He was now IN THEM.

2:14

“Peter, standing up with the eleven”

Here we have the FIRST Christian Sermon:

Introduction....Personal explanation. 14-21
Theme....Jesus is the Messiah, as shown by the resurrection.
1. The Resurrection Declared. v. 23-24.
2. The Resurrection Predicted. vv. 25-31.
3. The Resurrection Attested. v. 32
4. The Resurrection Proved. vv33-35
Conclusion.....Personal Application. v. 36
Elements of early church Life. 42-47
1. Notice the mention of coffee, donuts, basketball etc.

Commentary:

“standing up” This is a new method of preaching. The Rabbis did NOT stand but they would sit. The new breed of preachers during this new age were no longer to be just teachers but HERALDS....thus, they stood. Teachers sit but heralds stand. A NEW ATTITUDE FOR PREACHERS....STANDING.
"he lifted up his voice”
1. If 3,000 people are to hear, it is no use speaking to them like you were speaking to 30 people...Peter had to life up his voice....which means he got a tad loud in his presentation. That would fit well into the thinking of today...where many Christians think LOUD and NO CONTENT are one and the same.
“let it be known unto you...and give heed to my words”
1. There was none of this “this is my opinion on the subject” or “I know there are other views” or “I do not want you to think I am narrow or restricted.” [here you have a Spirit filled Peter and really, he could care less about their opinions].
“spake forth unto them” [v. 14]
1. G. Campbell Morgan said “preaching today is too often preaching BEFORE people rather than preaching TO people. Years ago, the work of ministers and preachers was like that of “combat, in which you wrestled with souls and compelled them to obedience.”
2. lesson: The first, the very first Christian preacher in the Church Age STOOD UP as a herald, LIFTED UP HIS VOICE [so that all could hear] and ARTICULATED with perfect distinctiveness...and then preached to them, not before them....and lastly, there was the CONVICTION of the preacher and also the COURAGE of the preacher.
  1. 1 Here's a cute note about preaching: In Spurgeon’s Preachers College they had the tradition of giving students a text right on the spot and having them preach it to Mr. Spurgeon and his staff. One day a student was given the subject of Zacchaeus. The student stood before them and said, “Zacchaeus was of little stature and “so am I.” Zacchaeus was up a tree and “so am I.” Zacchaeus came down and “so will I.”
3. One final Lesson on Peter. Before Pentecost he was first with his MOUTH and first with his SWORD and first on the WATER. Here is a man who has been changed inside out by the Holy Spirit. He is living proof of His work in the life of an individual. His first sermon was:
  1. SIMPLE: He answered their questions and then He told them about Christ and he enlisted commitment from them.
  2. 2. SCRIPTURAL: This sermon abounds with the Word of God. Notice v. 16 and then v. 25....He quotes from memory Joel 2:28-32....and then Psalm 16 and Psalm 100.
  3. 3. CHRIST CENTERED: How about v. 22 and v. 23 and then v. 32 and v. 36. Peter talked about Christ from beginning to end. He did not try to relate to their problems with some silly story but he just preached Christ. He talks about the INCARNATION in v. 22 and then in v. 23 the CRUCIFIXION and then in v. 24 the RESURRECTION.
  4. 4. CONVICTING: How about v. 37 and the conviction. These people did not leave this church service the same as they had entered.. They were burdened down with conviction and sin and concern. I think it is a compliment to God when people leave a church service burdened and concerned. The Bible says they were “cut to the heart”
  5. 5. ATTENTION GETTING: The outside people thought they were drunk. The first sermon of Peter was great because it was full of scripture, full of Christ, full of the Holy Ghost.
“spake forth unto them” v. 14
1. I need to set the record straight before we leave the matter as to the place of PREACHING in the early church. I do this because of the new breed of men who sit and counsel and scratch and look and interact, but they DO NOT PREACH.
  1. first, in 2:14-42 we have the sermon of Peter. It is important because it is the FIRST Christian sermon preached during the church age.
  2. second, this sermon sets forth a PATTERN for all preaching. Thus, please remember that the early church BEGAN WITH PREACHING.
  3. third, Paul said to Timothy...”preach the Word.” Please allow me to list some verses which set forth the priority of preaching. Acts 3:20, 4:2, 8:5, 8:25, 8:35, 8:40, 9:20, 9:27, 9:13, 14, 17. THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF THE EARLY CHURCH WAS PREACHING OF THE WORD.
  4. fourth, DEFINITION OF PREACHING. We often hear, “he is a good preacher but not a good teacher.” [note: there is no such thing...he is NOT A GOOD PREACHER IF HE IS NOT A GOOD TEACHER. There is no such thing as preaching without teaching]

2:22

“Jesus of Nazareth”

This is the favorite designation used by the apostles...note the use of the phrase “Nazareth” in Acts 3:6, 4:10, 6:14, 1O:38, 22:8, 26:9. {Personal note: Quite frankly I am not sure we should not use this phrase more often].
Nazareth was an obscure town and a despised province...it was a town of infamy. The apostles loved to proclaim that Jesus “reigns by the name that should condemn Him to obscurity.” It is rather amusing that the town which had such a bad reputation...was the town they kept bringing up as it related to Christ. It was Philip who first called Him by “Jesus of Nazareth.” [John 1:45-46] “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth” is what Nathaniel said.
1. the demon possessed man said, “what have we to do with thee Jesus thou Nazarene.” Mark 1:24]
2. When He entered Judaea the Judaean multitudes said, “who is this?” and the Galileans answered, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” Matt 21:11.
3. That night in the outer court when Peter was warming himself by the fire of the enemies, the maid said to him, “thou also wast with the Nazarene, even Jesus.” Mark 14:67.
4. When Pilate wrote his title and put it on the cross, it read, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. John 19:19
5. The angel at the tomb said, “Be not amazed, you see Jesus the Nazarene.” Mark 16:6
6. The two friends talking as they went down the Emmaus road...”the things concerning Jesus the Nazarene.” Luke 24:19.
Note that they did not say anything about His name “Jesus.” WHY? Because there were hundreds of little boys running around with the name of JESUS... A COMMON NAME. You did not see hundreds of little boys with the name “CHRIST.” WHY? BECAUSE CHRIST IS NOT A NAME BUT A TITLE OR OFFICE. When you say “Jesus Christ” you are sayings, “Jesus is the Christ or the Messiah.” [this is why I seldom call Him Jesus, but rather Jesus Christ]

2:22

“attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs.”

They understood His miracles in one of two ways:
1. some understood them to be performed by SATANIC POWER.
2. some understood them to be performed by DIVINE POWER. Please note: NO ONE considered them to be FRAUDULENT...There is very little denial of His miracles in the New Testament. They saw the miracle and said it was of the devil, but they did not deny the miracle as such.
As you read the above verse, let me stop and just list the content of the Message of Peter.
1. He names the person....”Jesus of Nazareth”
2. He continues by naming His Perfections.....”approved of God unto you by mighty works, wonders, signs.”
3. Peter then refers to the Death of Christ. v. 23
4. He then declares that this selfsame Person was Raised from death v. 24
5. He then talks about how this Christ was Exalted. v. 33
6. He then announced that this Christ so exalted had received the Fulfillment of the ancient Promise of Jehovah. v. 33 “having received of the Father the promise of H. Spirit.”
  1. Peter thus talks about His Person, Perfections, Death, Resurrection, Exaltation, Reception of the Spirit, His bestowal of the Spirit. [rather complete I would say]
  2. Notice some truths here about His death. v. 23
    1. In the preaching of the apostle he never failed to mention the PRIMARY CAUSE [it was the plan of God] which is expressed in words “determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.” The SECONDARY CAUSE was the “wicked hands of men.”
    2. note that the “wicked hands” mentioned in v. 23 did not defeat the plan of God....for according to v. 23 they carried out the plan of God.
      1. three things about His death. a. Jewish Part: “you nailed to the cross.”
      2. Roman Part: “wicked hands”
      3. Divine Part: “by the pre determined plan of God.” [Peter loves to tell them what they did was all part of the plan of God...He says the same thing in 4:27,28.
  3. We want to look at HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY and DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY...OR DIVINE CAUSE.
    1. The Human, Divine Cause DEMONSTRATED:
      1. We look at the Cross of Christ....You can demonstrate that the cause is human and also divine... v. 23. The human cause was backed by the divine plan.
      2. Note in Acts 2:22-23 the cause is DUAL. WHO PLANNED THE CROSS? God planned the cross. Note their cause...”you have nailed and crucified Jesus.” There are two answers...both are needed...GOD AND MAN both contributed to the death of Christ.
      3. Comparisons:
        
        the choices of God are always sovereign.... and we will list some areas where this choice extends and what it extends over.
        
        I SAMUEL 2: GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER MAN: This will be something that is inscrutable...which means, no explanation, no way to analyze or answer this....I Sam. 2:6-8. [here you find that God kills and makes alive....not disease or auto accidents...disease does not kill....but God kills...GOD IS THE LEAP OVER....THE PRIMARY CAUSE. THE CHOICES OF GOD ARE USUALLY WITHOUT EXPLANATION. You can take this to extremes....by not looking when you cross the street....
        
        ISAIAH 40....GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER THE NATIONS: Isa. 40:15....We today attribute literally everything to science....but in the Bible, it is not the rain that causes growth....but God who causes the rain...which in turn causes growth...
        
        Psa 115:1-3....GOD IS IN CONTROL OF HISTORY.
        
        Job 1:6-12.....GOD IS IN CONTROL OF SATAN. e. Acts 2:26-28 GOD IS IN CONTROL OF SIN.
    2. The Human, Divine Cause: ILLUSTRATED.
      1. Acts 7:9.....note: if you have a problem with this approach, then you will search in vain to find any of the apostles WHO HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH THIS DUALITY....They asserted both as though there was no TENSIONS.
      2. Gen 45:....Note: I know the WHAT of the cross but I do not know the WHY of the plan of God.
      3. Rom 9:18....”He has mercy on whom He desires....and He hardens whom He desires.”
        
        In the light of this, are we responsible? note 9:19..... I ACCEPT HIS SOVEREIGN CHOICES BECAUSE HE CAN DO NO WRONG....and I do not have to understand.
    3. The Human, Divine Cause: ..CHARACTERIZED.
      1. HIS CHOICES ARE ALWAYS WISE....When the Roman soldier pierced Jesus....he was fulfilling the will of God...HIS SOVEREIGNTY OVER, DID NOT MEAN THAT HE APPROVED OF....God hates sin....but controls sin..

2:24-33

Outline that Will Help [ Supplied by Graham Scroggie]
1. Resurrection Declared 22-24
2. Resurrection Predicted 25-31
3. Resurrection attested v. 32
4. Resurrection Demonstrated 33-35
5. Resurrection Applied v. 36
Let me just give a brief outline of some of the strong points of Peters message.
1. THE LIFE OF CHRIST v. 22
  1. Two things to note from v. 22
    1. GOD DID IT
    2. YOU SAW IT.
  2. “man approved of God.” v. 22
    1. used in I Cor 4:9 for “exhibiting” or “putting something on display” Means also to bring evidence to prove your points. Acts 25:7
  3. miracles, wonders, signs.” v. 22 [Listen, there was absolutely overwhelming evidence that He Is what He claimed to be. [they all knew it...but rather than believe it, they said it came from the devil. This got them off the hook].
    1. MIRACLES: has to do with their NATURE....they were powerful, supernatural deeds.
    2. WONDERS: speaks of what is GENERATED by the miracle...something that is impossible really to explain.
    3. SIGNS: something to POINT YOU TO SOMETHING ELSE. All the signs were to lead them to spiritual truth. HE NEVER DID A MIRACLE FOR AN END IN ITSELF....always to point to something else.
  4. “as you yourselves know.” v. 22
    1. I love this. Peter would not let them off the hook, for they knew they had witnessed the miracles...PETER IS REAL COURAGEOUS HERE. Their problem thus was not inadequate proof of who He was but, their problem was HATRED OF HIM and LOVE OF THEIR SINS. [remember, it is both]
    2. Proof: John 10:37-39, John 11:46-48, John 12:17, John 14:1O-11, John 15:23-25. [these are all undeniable proofs....they did not want to break with their religious system.....thus they turned on Him]
2. THE DEATH OF CHRIST 23-32
  1. “determinate plan and foreknowledge of God.” [v.23] I like this for they thought they had gotten rid of Christ...but Peter reminds them that it was all by the plan of God. JESUS WAS NO VICTIM...He did not die because He was a victim.
    1. “determinate” means to “mark out with a boundary.” II Tim 1:9 tells us when He did this....”before the world was.” GOD AND CHRIST HAD IT ALL MAPPED OUT BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN. Acts 4:28 is additional proof.
    2. "foreknowledge” means knowing something before it happens. It means a predetermining. I Peter 1:2 used the word “foreordination” Lesson: Foreknowledge cannot deliver within itself...for it can ONLY see what is going to happen. God not only KNOWS BEFORE and then He FOREORDAINS a thing to happen.
    3. “by wicked hands” Peter never failed to mention the PRIMARY CAUSE [it was the plan of God] and then the SECONDARY CAUSE [wicked hands of men] I might also mention that according to v. 23 WICKED HANDS NEVER DEFEAT THE PLAN OF GOD....for according to v. 23, they carried out the plan of God.
    4. “you nailed to a cross” This shows the blackness of their sin...We are vile sinners because we have rejected Him. Peter got real PERSONAL here with this statement. Today we would never say such a thing...for fear of losing the person or their getting mad or upset and not coming back to the church.
3. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST: 24-32
  1. Resurrection: Is mentioned 1O4 times in New Testament. The crucifixion loses its meaning without the resurrection....WITH OUT THE RESURRECTION, YOU HAVE NO SAVIOR.
  2. “whom God hath raised Him up”
    1. Note: There is a constant theme in Acts....YOU KILLED HIM and GOD RAISED HIM UP. Note this again in 3:14-15...Peter always sets the Jews at opposite ends of the world with God. They might hate it but this is the ONLY KIND OF PREACHING THAT BRINGS BIBLICAL RESULTS. Note Acts 1O:39-40....YOU KILLED HIM and GOD RAISED HIM UP. Our Lord did the same kind of preaching in John 8:39-44.

2:37-41

We begin now with the Sequence to the preaching of Peter
1. Preaching: “this Jesus whom you crucified.” v. 36
2. Listening: “when they heard this.” v. 37 [If the Holy Spirit can get you to listen, I would almost guarantee that you will get saved. Most people have such a short attention ....that “listening” has nearly become something in the past....associated with old people who can’t do anything else but listen].
3. Conviction: “were pricked to the heart” v. 37
  1. They were convicted of their OWN SIN....no one gets saved until they are convicted of their OWN SIN. The conviction came through the HOLY SPIRIT and also through a FAITHFUL MAN. The man without the Holy Spirit and it would be futile...THE TWO MUST BE UNITED. Remember also that the Holy Spirit is dependent upon the faithful witness of a MAN. I like this statement “pricked to the heart” for one of the strange anomalies of our age of evangelism is how many people hear the gospel and laugh and smile and have that “good feeling” look on their faces. I am personally ready for some preaching that leaves people “pricked in their hearts.”
  2. “pricked to the heart.” The wording to be correct should read, “they were stabbed in their consciences.” [Question: when was the last time you went to church and came out having been STABBED IN YOUR HEART?] IT HAS TO DO WITH SHARP PAIN CAUSED BY REMORSE.
4. Response: “what shall we do” v. 37 [this is where the Holy Spirit wants to get an individual....where they say, “what shall we do.”
5. Instruction: “repent”
  1. I might mention that when you are witnessing if you do not tell them to repent...you are not delivering the whole message. You only tell a man to believe when he has already repented. The Phil. jailer was told to believe because he had already repented. He had already changed his mind about himself, his sin and Christ.
  2. “be baptized every one of you UPON the name of Jesus Christ.” If you think it should read, “repent and be baptized every one of you IN the name of Jesus Christ, then this is the ONLY PLACE WHERE BAPTISM IS REFERRED TO AS BEING “IN’ THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
    1. “upon” the name of Jesus.” [UPON: means DEPENDING ON] Now allow me to read the verse of instruction. “Repent and be baptized every one of you depending upon Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins.”
  3. “repent and be baptized”
    1. We can honestly say that “for remission of sins” could be hooked to either “repent” or “be baptized.” The real question is this. Does Peter any where else talk about “remission of sins.” b. In 3:19 Peter talks about forgiveness of sins and the condition in 3:19 is repent for the remission of sins, but he did not say “be baptized for the remission of sins.” c. Then you have 10:43 where it says, “everyone who believes receives forgiveness of sins.” If we hook repenting and baptism with remission of sins...THEN WE ARE CREATING A CONTRADICTION OF OTHER PASSAGES SPOKEN BY THE SAME MAN.
6. Obedience: v. 41
7. Addition: v. 41
  1. Summary on this “baptism and salvation.” [ The Bible just does not teach that one cannot be saved unless he is baptized.]
    1. In Acts 2:41 it states that “they who gladly received His Word were baptized.” [I think we all agree that those who gladly received His word were believers....and then as result of believing they were baptized.
    2. The same is true in Acts 8:12 when the Samaritans believer and were baptized.
    3. Even more pronounced is Acts 10...Cornelius and his friends had already received the Holy Spirit before Peter ordered their baptism. In fact Peter said ”can any forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we.” [Had they not received the Holy Ghost they would have been INELIGIBLE for baptism....thus baptism follows conversion.
    4. Same order in Acts 18:8...where they heard, believed and then were baptized.
    5. Acts 22:16. Now, if you want to use this as a proof that in baptism, one’s sins are washed away, then fine, but it is difficult for me to see how any believer could make such a contention in the light of the scriptures which teach that it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth from all sin. Paul in Acts 22:16 was told to wash away his sins himself...baptism is merely the believers act in washing away his sins in the sight of men...WASHING IS AN EXTERNAL ACT NOT INTERNAL....and when you are baptized it is your way of telegraphing to the world that you are through with sin.
    6. One further note: In all of the cases in Acts when people accepted Christ, they were baptized IMMEDIATELY. There was no waiting period to see if their profession was real or note. I really believe the pattern should be that people who accept Christ should be baptized immediately....thus, churches should keep the water ready at all times.
    7. I might also mention that baptism is NOT an ordinance of Christian fellowship but it is the ordinance that INDICATES the ENTRANCE upon fellowship.
  2. Let me just summarize the steps:
    1. conviction v. 37
    2. Inquiry v. 37
    3. Instruction v. 38
    4. Exhortation v. 39, 40
    5. Obedience v. 41
    6. Addition v. 41
  3. Let me conclude with the instructions, the formula, the order of experience.

a. change your mind: repent

1. Note on Repentance: Let me make it very clear that when you are dealing with the lostness of an individual...that if you do not start off by saying “repent” or “change your mind” about your sins, about Jesus Christ....then you are not delivering all of the truth. It is fine to tell a person to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” as long as they understand that in “believing on the Lord Jesus Christ” they are doing an “about face” or “changing their mind about their sins” and changing their mind about Jesus Christ. The scriptures tell us that “they turned to Christ from idols.” [here you have the receiving of Christ and the turning around in one verse]. This new thing of the last years of coming to Christ and never repenting of our sins is totally foreign to Biblical salvation. [this may be the reason so many come to Christ and still maintain their same relation to sin and habits and old friends etc.]

b. depend upon Jesus Christ.

c. Confess Him....breaking with the world by open and definite confession.

d. Baptism. [when you openly, publicly explain, express to the world what has happened in your mind, your will, your heart and you do this through baptism]

1. REPENT, BELIEVE, CONFESS [formula]

4. One Final Summary. [Thanks to G. Scroggie]

1.The TERMS of Salvation. v. 38

a. “repentance and confession” 38a

b. “bestowment of the Holy Spirit.” [This is the Promise by God]. 38b

2. The SCOPE.

a. It is PERSONAL...”as many as”

b. It is UNIVERSAL....”to all that are afar off”

c. It is AGE ABIDING....”to you and your children”

a. All of this came about because Peter “testified and exhorted” [v.40] which are the two things preachers should do every time they preach.

LET US STOP AND MENTION THE FOUR GROUPS OF BELIEVERS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

1. Acts 2:38: [Conversion of Jews at Pentecost]

In this first group of believers in Acts, they were all Jewish. I want you to notice the ORDER of these believers as it related to the HOLY SPIRIT and to BAPTISM.

1. The Order:

a. first, repentance 2:38

b. second, water baptism 2:38

c. third, reception of Holy Spirit 2:38

2. Acts 8:14-17 [Conversion of Samaritans]

1. This is the second group of new believers in Acts. They were half Jews or Samaritans. The Jews, the pure Jews hated this group...for they had intermarried with Gentiles and were half breed Jews. Now, to assure that these “half breed” Jews, these Samaritans were not to be second class Christians....these Samaritans got saved and they had the SAME EXPERIENCE as the pure, the real, the l00 percent Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost. Peter and John who had already had the Pentecost experience witnessed the SAME EXPERIENCE with the Samaritans.....as that which occurred at Pentecost. They would not have believed that God was putting the Samaritan Christians on the same footing spiritually as the Jews in Jerusalem....had they not experienced, witnessed the event. I might also mention that I personally believe that these Samaritans also spoke with tongues as on Day of Pentecost....although, the text does not state this. GOD FIXED IT SO THE JEWS IN JERUSALEM COULD NEVER SAY THAT “they had something the Samaritans did not have.” THEY ALL GOT THE SAME THING.

2. The Order: [note the difference in the order here]

a. they believed: v. 12

b. they were baptized in water: v. 12

c. The Apostles prayed for them: v. 15

d. The Apostles laid their hands on them: v. 17

e. They received the Holy Spirit: v. 17

3. Acts 10:43-48 [Conversion of Gentiles]

1. If you do not believe that Acts is transitional from this story of the conversion of Cornelius, then really, I do not know what else to say. This is the story of the conversion of Gentiles. Now, this took some real “doing” on the part of Peter. He had just gotten over the matter of a half Jew being included and given the same greetings and same salvation with same fire works as on day of Pentecost, but the conversion of Gentiles took some real persuading on the part of the Holy Spirit. God had to give Peter a vision of a sheet with all kinds of animals in the sheet....both clean and unclean. God had to send Peter to the home of a man who was a tanner...who dealt with dead animals....and instruct him to tell Cornelius about the gospel. You will notice that these Galileans GOT SAVED THE SAME WAY. They also spoke in LANGUAGES...so the pious and pure Jews in Jerusalem would understand that they were no longer SPECIAL OR ABOVE OTHER BELIEVERS. Think of it, God gave to these Gentiles the same experience as those fastidious Jews in Jerusalem. The barriers are fast coming down. Peter was even shocked about what transpired but said, “who was I that I could stand in the way of God.” Now, this makes the third new group in Acts who have come to saving power in Christ and to even confuse you more...I want you to notice with your Bible open the order.

2. The Order:

a. they believed in Christ. v. 43

b. They received the Holy Spirit v. 44

c. They began to speak in tongues. v. 46 [I hate to ruin the pattern some of you have created but will you notice that there is no “laying on of hands” with this group as in Acts 8:17....kind of knocks the “laying on of hands” teaching.

d. They were baptized in water. v. 47-48

4. Acts 19:1-7 [Disciples of John]

1. This is the final community of believers and they are made up of the disciples of John the Baptist. Following this last group being placed into the Body of Christ is the SAME WAY AS THE JEWS IN JERUSALEM....Now, it will be impossible for any group to claim themselves as being special or different or better or superior. THEY ARE ALL ONE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. There is no longer a special body or group called Jewish. The unity of the Body is now complete.

2. The Order:

a. They believed v. 2

b. They were rebaptized. v. 5 [It is interesting to note here that this is the only case in the New Test. of “rebaptism.” They had been baptized by John in v. 3, but when they had more understanding and knowledge they were rebaptized in v. 5

c. The Apostles laid hands on them. v. 6

d. They received the Holy Spirit. v. 6

e. They began to speak in tongues....plus prophesying. v. 6

IT IS NOW THE TIME TO ASK A QUESTION

1. Question to All: Does all of the 4 groups having a different experience or a different approach to the same experience teach that there are FOUR WAYS TO SALVATION?? Of course not...for salvation has and always will be on the basis of our repenting and believing on Christ. But during the TRANSITION period...God chose to vary the events connected with the reception of the Holy Spirit....and He chose these four approaches without revealing the reason or reasons to any of us. Now, if you are going to claim that you follow the Pentecost Group in Acts 2....that is fine, but then you will be BAPTIZED BEFORE you receive the Holy Spirit. IS THAT THE WAY FOR US TODAY??

2. Question for Us: Which of the four patterns FITS FOR TODAY? Which of these four outpourings is to be adopted as the normal pattern of experience for the church of today? Answer: NONE OF THEM. We are certainly not going back to Pentecost and tarry for the Holy Spirit, because HE HAS ALREADY COME. We are not going to Samaria to BELIEVE, be BAPTIZED AND THEN WAIT for some apostles to lay hands on us for a delayed reception. We are not going to Caesarea and seek out that approach to salvation.

3. WHAT SHALL WE DO?? We must not make the spiritual mistake of “teaching the EXPERIENCE of the Apostles, but rather EXPERIENCE the teaching of the apostles.”

1. The EXPERIENCE of the Apostles is in Transitional Acts.

2. The TEACHING of the apostles is in the settled and completed epistles that follow Acts. If we go back to the EXPERIENCE of the apostles in Acts, we find four diverse and different experiences. WHICH ONE ARE YOU GOING TO CHOOSE?

3. WHERE IS THE ANSWER? Teaching is never complete at one given moment...it is progressive and does not complete until you have the complete New Test record....what is the teaching of the Epistles of Paul concerning the experience of the Holy Spirit?

4. There is a SEVENFOLD teaching on the Holy Spirit.

1. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: Acts 2:38 a. What happened here on day of Pentecost was as FINAL as what happened at Bethlehem. It is as final as Calvary or the Resurrection. Pentecost is no more REPEATED THAN CALVARY or BETHLEHEM or the RESURRECTION or the VIRGIN BIRTH, or the CRUCIFIXION. Here is our verse about the GIFT of the Holy Spirit. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit.”

b. PENTECOST IS historical and not personal. People no longer tarry for the coming of the Holy Spirit. People no longer experience the Pentecostal gift of speaking in tongues. They may experience tongues, but it is NOT Pentecostal. It may be Corinthian, but it is NOT Pentecostal. If they did, they would immediately begin to preach in the languages of men.

2. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. I Cor 12:13

a. This is NOT water baptism, but a spiritual baptism into the Body of Christ. It occurs at time of regeneration when the believer receives the Holy spirit. It does NOT occur at a time subsequent to salvation....following some searching or praying or tarrying. The effect of this is the witness of the Holy spirit to our spirit that we are His children.

3. THE SEALING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Eph. 1:13...II Cor 1:22

a. This occurs with the baptism of the Holy Spirit....this is an act comparable to putting a brand upon cattle or burning an owner’s mark on a log. We are His and SO ARE MARKED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

4. THE EARNEST OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Eph. 11:4

a. This is simultaneous with the baptism and the sealing of the Holy Spirit....because he Holy Spirit here is given as God’s earnest money or pledge money as a down payment to ensure to completion the redemptive transaction. HERE HE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE GUARANTEE OF WHAT IS TO COME. He is God’s promise that “He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

5. THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT . Eph. 5:18

a. This is NOT SIMULTANEOUS with anything but occurs with the fulfillment of certain spiritual conditions. Faith, surrender, consecration. While it is true that every believer is FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, not every believer experiences that FULLNESS except under certain conditions. We may have all there is to have of the Holy Spirit, but until the Holy Spirit has all there is of us...do we have the filling of the Holy Spirit.

6. THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. II Cor 1:21

a. This again is neither simultaneous nor continuous, but occasional and is His act of PREPARATION FOR SPECIAL SERVICE.

7. THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

a. This is continuous and permanent. I Cor 3:16....the indwelling is His presence with the believer as a result of the believer’s presence in the Body of Christ. Remember that in the Upper room...He spoke about the Holy Spirit. “He is with you and shall be in you.”

2:41

1. Please note: In all of the cases in Acts where people accepted Christ, they were baptized IMMEDIATELY. There was no WAITING PERIOD to see if they were “for real” or “genuine.” I must tell you from bad personal experience that the New Test. pattern is that people should be baptized immediately when they accept Christ....so in reality, churches should keep the water ready at all times. I must tell you also that there is no indication from the text that these 3,000 spoke in tongues following their salvation.

2:42

1. QUESTION How did the early Church handled the Word of God?

1. This theme will occur more in sheer bulk than even the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. How did they treat the Word of God? What did the early church do with the Word of God? They preached it, they taught it, they spake it. There is part of verse in Isaiah which says “my thoughts are not your thoughts.”

a. the idea here is “way of thinking.” This was one of the first things that had to happen to the early church when they accepted Christ....They had to get rid of their thoughts, their way of thinking. Actually, they had to become somewhat de-opinionated. They had to rid themselves of their own opinion and spend time in noting and learning the “thoughts of God.” Remember: A new believer does not know UP FROM DOWN spiritually. If you want wrong answers, then ask new believers...for they have spent their whole life using “their own understanding” and leaning on their own reasoning.

2. What the Early Church did: “They continued steadfastly in doctrine.”

1. steadfast: This is an important word for it means TOTAL DEVOTION TO GODS VIEWPOINT.....and it also means TO THE EXCLUSION OF ANYTHING ELSE.

2. “apostles doctrine” which means TEACHING....What does “apostles doctrine” mean here? It means WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY ON A GIVEN SUBJECT. Question: Is that bad or wrong? In the light of this, will you ever again say, “we are tired of doctrine?” They gave total devotion to “God’s Viewpoint.”

3. What is the First objective of the Devil?

1. The very first objective is to get you away from God's word and into SOMETHING ELSE. [anything, any emphasis, any trend, music, fun, good times, social causes, whatever]

2. When you get to chapter 4, 5 of Acts you have the record of how Satan sought to attack the church.....even sought to kill them but neither threats nor jail nor the loss of their life could deter them. Then in chapter 6 He comes on to the method that is WORKING WELL IN OUR CHURCHES TODAY....which is the method of getting a pastor to do anything or everything other than SPEND TIME, MUCH TIME IN THE WORD.

FOUR OBSERVANCES THAT ARE IMPERATIVE IN A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

2:42-47

Introduction: Here we have a listing of the four observances to be maintained in a Christian fellowship of believers. I know it will be hard for many of you to believe that these four are the primary, the major items of importance in a New Test Church. It is fine to do other things in the church but until these 4 observances are paramount....then you are not operating a New Test Church.

Please note: These are NOT the ordinances of Christian service...These four form the method the Holy Spirit has devised for conserving the “life of the members of the local assembly.” Remember, these are ordinances of CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP in the local assembly. You can read through Acts and notice how ONLY these FOUR ingredients gave the believers just what they needed for reaching the world. Here is a New Test. church and it all came about without any books, without any conferences. They had four simple ingredients....which I might mention are still in tact today. Thus, here is a church with 3,120 people in it and they are all seeking to follow this blueprint.

IT HAD THE RIGHT CONTENT: v. 42

1. One note of real importance: You will notice in the reading of these verses that the immediate content of the new church was NOT EVANGELISM. There has to be the right content within the membership before the church can REPRODUCE itself in other people. Note Some Ingredients of this First Church:

A. It was a SAVED CHURCH: This first church was filled with saved people...people who had changed their minds about their sins and changed their minds and hearts about Jesus Christ. They had openly identified this change in their life through public baptism.

1. Problem today: We have a local church filled with both saved and unsaved people. The saved do not enjoy the fellowship of the unsaved and the unsaved don’t understand the saved. You cannot function in a New Test. church where there are saved and unsaved people in positions of leadership.

B. It was a STUDYING CHURCH: v. 42 “apostles doctrine”

1. In pure and simple terms, this group of people put themselves UNDER INSTRUCTION. The word for doctrine simply means TEACHING.

2. There were always two elements in instruction:

a. first, doctrine or teaching.

b. second, duty....or conduct. [the two are never separated in the Epistles of Paul. Go to Ephesians and note that doctrine comes first and then in 4:1....we have the “therefore” of conduct. Same with Romans....first doctrine and then duty in 12:1.

3. What happens if you separate these two?

a. first, when there is doctrine, teaching without proper lead in or application to duty and conduct, then you produce a smug, legalistic, academic believer....who has little heart.

b. second, when you have all duty, conduct, application preaching, then you produce a purely emotional, subjective believer who never has their feet on the ground...for their whole life is governed by their feelings. They are constantly “taking their pulse.”

4. One Notation about Growth:

a. In the New Test. growth is never associated with anything other than the intake of the Word of God. Peter said, “desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby.” [INTAKE OF THE WORD AND GROWTH ARE NEVER SEPARATED]

5. Three Options Open to you pertaining to the Word. [REPEAT]

a. REJECTION OF THE WORD: This is what we will have all the way through Acts...even when there are miracles...like the man born lame from birth.

b. NEGLECT OF THE WORD

: This is ill. with the people walking down the Emmaus Road...in Luke 24:13-14, 17, 21...In Luke 24:25-27 He takes them into the Word and they begin to develop.

c. COMPLETE BELIEF IN THE WORD. Acts 27:14-25 ill. this complete belief.

1. 27:14 is total belief...for Paul says, “be of good cheer.” It would be like the pilot coming out and telling the passengers that all four engines are gone but don't worry. What was Paul doing. HE WAS VIEWING AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION FROM THE WORD OF GOD. In other words, God’s Word is right thus the boat will not sink although the boat is sinking and by the way, no one will be lost.....although every circumstances points to the fact that all will be dead shortly. This is what I call TOTAL and complete belief in what God says.

2. Note How Paul did this note v. 22 then 23, 24...

a. v. 23 is the BASIS

b. 24b is GOD’S VIEWPOINT

c. v. 25 is the APPLICATION

d. ALTERNATING VIEWPOINT of the Word. This is where most live....back and forth...one method at one point and another in another situation...alternating from feelings to the Word of God. most believers need to tell their feelings where to get off....or you will never make it as a believer.

C. It was a CONTINUING CHURCH: “continued steadfastly”

1. I know this will be a point of contention...but I must tell you that CONTINUATION represents one of the marks of a true believer. John 8:31 “if you continue in my word, then are you my disciples.” All true believers with “continue.” There is no such thing as “spiritual retirement” for a believer. He continues even into the ripe age of 99.

2. Note: The Billy Graham Assoc. says that if 40 percent continue, they feel they are successful. Here we have 3,120 people continuing. It is the same as I Thess. 1:1-5.

IT HAD THE RIGHT CHARACTER:

A. IT WAS A FELLOWSHIPPING CHURCH:

1. The Greek word is “koinonia” and the word is NOT EVEN found in the Gospels. Actually, this is the first occurrence of the word in he New Test.

2. The root idea of the word is “commonness” or “commonality.” The word is translated in many ways as “distribution” or “fellowship” or communion or “partnership.” As they studied the Word and began to live out the Word in their conduct....they just automatically became concerned with each other and the needs of others in the local group.

3. two things to note about this fellowship:

a. it was not ORGANIZED. [by the apostles or some group]. This group of believers did not need for the apostles to have them stand up and shake hands with each other. They had “already” fellowshipped, shaken hands, hugged, spoken Biblical words to each other. They were automatically involved in each other. It was never “contrived” in the early church, worked up, planned, or even put in the church bulletin. IT JUST HAPPENED EVERY TIME THEY GOT TOGETHER.

b. it was SPONTANEOUS. it just happened...It was just the natural result of right teaching and right application of teaching or doctrine. We will read shortly how they began to cash out their stock, cash in their government bills and sell their property because they had become so intimately tied in with the needs of other believers.....that they had no other option. It is important to note that the RIGHT CHARACTER is not something that just springs up on its own...but right character comes from RIGHT CONTENT, properly applied to the life.

4. Application:

a. First, remember, it only takes two persons to have fellowship, sharing, partnership.

b. Second, the word always denotes “some kind of sharing” II Cor 8:4 and II 9:13 are proofs of this. This sharing was not “like donuts and coffee” but it came through GIVING, it came through a PARTNERSHIP with another believer.

c. third, This is nothing but the members of the Body of Christ getting to know each other INTIMATELY. Question: What do you know about the life of fellowship in spiritual things with another believer?? What kind of partnership, commonality, sharing, fellowship do you have with just one other believer? Most believers fellowship with another believer goes no further than “how are you” and “good to see you this morning” and “hope you will come back tonight for the musical.”

5. The Big Question: [using the words for “koinonia”]

a. What kind of PARTNERSHIP do you have with another believer? What kind of DISTRIBUTION do you have with another believer? What kind of JOIN PARTICIPATION do you have with another believer.

b. Notice that even with 3,120 people in the church, it did not eliminate the personal element of partnership, distribution, participation of one believer with another believer. They tell us that in a life time you can only have about 200 acquaintances and 25 close friends at the most....thus, in a large church you can choose your 200 acquaintances and 25 close friends.

6. Did you know: That if only in such a large body of believers....that if they had distribution, partnership, participation, sharing with only 5 other believers....that it would revolutionize the local body. [as we will note shortly it did with these first believers] This kind of sharing and distribution with each other would virtually eliminate all of the “end fighting” among believers.

7. Can’t You feel the Excitement: Here you have these believers hungry to study the Word of God....taking this Word and digesting it Biblically which in turns makes them concerned about other believers and then this concern turns into distribution, sharing, partnership, joint participation with other believers and the excitement on the outside world is such that they want to know more about these new believers. Of course, God has already said, “by this shall all men know that you are my disciples.....that you love one another.” No radio ads, no big advertisement in the Saturday section of the “church page.” They had no parading or bringing to town some new red hot Christians who just hit 80 home runs for Jesus. ALL YOU HAVE ARE PEOPLE STUDYING THE BIBLE, DOCTRINE, CONTINUING FOR HIM....AND THIS LEADS TO KOINANIA WITH ONE ANOTHER....AND IT ALL ‘JUST HAPPENS’ WITHOUT ANY APOSTOLIC ORGANIZATION, PERSUASION, HINTING, BANTERING, NO SPECIAL ATTENDANCE DRIVES, NO SUNDAY SCHOOL PROMOTIONS.

8. I Forgot to Mention: All of this started with the apostles prepared and ready to preach and teach. No golf course preparation or after 4 sets of tennis preparation. These men gave themselves to two real simple weekly schedules....STUDY OF THE WORD and PRAYER.

9. Let me close by giving you some uses of the Word fellowship or joint participation: [these verses just reinforce the importance]

a. Rom 15:26-27....here the word is translated “contribution.” In these verses, you have joint participation in material things.

b. II Cor 8:4...the word is translated as “distribution.” Again, joint participation in material things.

c. Phil. 4:15....here the word is translated “communicated” and again, it is partnership in giving. I know you are going to think this is typical preacher propaganda, but truthfully the word KOINONIA is used in reference to money more than any other use. We could easily and rightfully say next Sunday, “will the ushers come forth for the Koinonia of giving.” Oh, I forgot to mention one important part or meaning of this word. IT IS NON VERBAL....which means, NO TALKING. It is usually fulfilled when you DO something or you are BEING something to another believer.

d. Phil 3:10...here it is fellowship in SUFFERING. I Peter 4:13 uses it the same way....partakers in suffering.

e. I Cor 10:6....tells us that we have “communion” with the blood and body of Christ.

f. II John 2...the word “partaker” is the word Koinonia and when you greet the person cordially who is a purveyor of false doctrine....you then become a PARTAKER of their deeds. It is expressing cordiality toward error. When you say “come right in and sit down, then you are fellow shipping with evil.”

B. IT WAS A WORSHIPING CHURCH: “breaking of bread, prayers”

1. There are two notes to make about this worship.

a. The Worship just happens. Again, it is not organizational....and when you have people studying the Word, applying the Word, living the Word, then in partnership with each others needs,....then worship just happens.

b. The worship consisted of two items: [neither of which are associated with worship today]

1. PRAYER

2. BREAKING OF BREAD.

2. Application at this Juncture:

a. It is rather amusing and interesting to talk about “worship in the church” when both of these qualities or features are usually relegated to either Wed. Night or before the official service of the church.

b. I want to go on record as saying that you might not have a Christian band or fine organ and piano, but if you have people meeting to PRAY and to BREAK BREAD, you are Biblically worshiping.

c. They had breaking of bread every Sunday and even during the week in the homes of believers. You cannot worship Him any better than when you sit down and get quiet and remember His death and show forth in prayer your appreciation and thanksgiving for His gift of life for us.

3. What is “breaking of bread”?

a. It is not a time for us to get up and exhibit ourselves in public. It is merely a time for PURE ADORATION OF HIM. If breaking of bread is worship...then what would be wrong if we worshipped Him every week in church? I might infringe on the Building Fund Drive but it sure would make Him happy. He loves to be adored and worshipped.

b. This breaking of bread was both FORMAL and INFORMAL...It was done “in the temple” and in “their homes.” v. 46. They did this in a certain manner...which the text says was with “glad” and “sincere” hearts. Glad: means exulting gladness...or “unaffected joy.”

C. IT WAS A AWESOME CHURCH: v. 43 “fear came upon every soul”

1. The word for ‘fear’ is not a terror word. It is the idea of AWE...the idea that something unusual, without explanation is going on with this group. There was something about this group that COULD NOT BE EXPLAINED...same as Luke 7:11...Notice that the people did not perform some act of “positive thinking” to produce the awe. THE AWE CAME AS A RESULT OF THE OTHER INGREDIENTS....NOT MANUFACTURED.

D. IT WAS A MIRACULOUS CHURCH: V. 43 “many signs and wonders”

1. The greatest miracle is that of a person turning from sin to Christ....which we will witness in coming verses...

E. IT WAS A PRAYING CHURCH v. 42

1. I am inclined to believe that the praying was corporate....which was borne out of the study of the Word, the caring for each other in Koininia and it just naturally led to prayer for one another in the local assembly. They knew each other intimately, had given each other personal and sacrificial help and assistance....thus, they were ready, prepared for prayer. Again, I think THIS PRAYING JUST HAPPENED....HOW COULD IT BE OTHERWISE.

2. Note: When I begin to study His word, have partnership with other believers, begin to break bread in adoration of Him...THEN PRAYER IS JUST A NATURAL.

F. IT WAS A SHARING CHURCH v. 44

1. It is important to note that all of this is SEQUENTIAL. If I am in partnership with other believers, breaking bread, adoring Him, praying....then it just follows that I am going to be SHARING WHAT I HAVE WITH OTHERS.

2. There is no command from the apostles, no hinting from them...It just happens. Two words: SOLD and PARTED.

3. Although I have not personally practiced this principle of living in my ministry, but I now see that a real N. T. group of believers will HOLD ALL THINGS IN COMMON TRUST. Whenever there was a genuine case of NEED in the fellowship, they sold personal property and distributed the proceeds. There was a unity of HEART and of INTEREST. I am inclined to believe as one brother puts it that “a real Christian could not bear to have too much hen others have too little.”

IT HAD THE RIGHT CONSEQUENCE v. 47

A. THERE WAS EVANGELISM:

1. The evangelism just happened also. “and the Lord added to their number daily those where were being saved.”

2. Lessons and Observations:

a. the Evangelism was not an END in itself, but the outgrowth of something else. The evangelism came about as they studied the Word, digested the Word, in partnership with other believers, as they worshipped through breaking of bread and prayers...

b. The outside world viewed these 3,120 believers, their commonality with each other, their partnership with each other, their sharing with each other...THEY WERE ATTRACTED. “by this shall men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another.” [THIS IS WITNESSING BY WHAT YOU ARE] and then this follows by witnessing by what you SAY. Notice how little they knew about EVANGELISTIC METHODOLOGY.

B. THERE WAS ATTRACTIVENESS; v. 47 “having favor with all people.”

1.The attractiveness was NOT MANUFACTURED. It is interesting that no one in this group of over 3,00 was trying to produce these qualities...IT JUST HAPPENED.

C. THERE WAS GROWTH: v. 47

1. Today, we try to reach them through our new buildings, choir, youth program, new gym, football, basketball programs.

2. Listen, the church with the right CONTENT and proper CHARACTER growing out of the right content will manifest the right CONSEQUENCES.

a. In our instant age, we want the consequences without the character and none of it can happen without the proper content...IT ALL BEGINS WITH CONTENT. This is slow, takes time, nothing instant.

2:43-47

I might list some 6 marks or characteristics of this early group of believers.

Holy Piety. v. 43...”fear came upon every soul”

Holy Power. v. 43 “many wonders, signs were done by the apostles”

Holy Prosperity. 44-45. “had all things in common”

Holy Purity. v. 46. “they did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart

Holy Partnership. v. 46 “they continued daily with one accord in the temple.”

Holy Praise. v. 46 “praising God. I might mention that this is the same word used by the angel to Zacharias in Luke 1:14....when announcing the birth of John the Baptist. It suggests a joy which cannot be suppressed and which bursts forth in unexpected gladness and praise.

Let me just list some other qualities of this new church.

a. Addition v. 41

b. Continuance v. 42 [continued in teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread]

c. Community of Interest v. 44, 45

d. Harmony of Testimony v. 46

e. Singleness of Heart v. 46

f. Gladness of Spirit v. 46

Notation here about this new body called the church:

1. Contrast with today: The apostles founded churches and they founded nothing else. Why? Well, because for the ends in view nothing else was required or could have been so suitable...They always founded the local converts into a local assembly....with elders...always elders, never AN elder. Acts 14:23, 15:6, 23, 20:17; Phil 1:1. THERE IS NEVER EVEN THE ‘GERM’ OF ANOTHER ORGANIZATION IN THE BOOK OF ACTS.

2. Other personal notes about the Church in Acts.

1. I confess that I personally have been part of the movement that allowed me to drift into the unthinking dream world where I was willing to spend so much in order to get so little usage in return. [Never again]

2. I would remind you and myself that the meetings of the early church were LARGELY FOR BELIEVERS. Acts 2:42]. They did NOT do their evangelizing work by INVITING people to meetings on Sunday, but by witnessing to those with whom they came in contact throughout the week. [THEN, they were brought into the fellowship of the local body of believers].

3. I would also observe that he apostles made NO ATTEMPT to form an organization of any kind for carrying on the work of the Lord. THE LOCAL CHURCH WAS GOD’S UNIT ON EARTH FOR PROPAGATING THE FAITH.

a. We today found missions, the apostles founded churches. The Apostles founded churches and they FOUNDED NOTHING ELSE, because for the ends in view nothing else was required or needed.

What we need more than anything today is to have a pastor who “believes that they cannot do anything better for their people than to teach them the Word of God.”