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Acts 2:37–47

The birth of the church… (4 things)

ActsNew TestamentEnglishHiligaynon Version Available
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
  • Day of Pentecost
    • Standing up…
      • TEN days after the ascension of Jesus – on the day of Pentecost…
      • The Spirit came like a rushing wind – and the 120 DISCIPLES began to speak in other languages…
      • There was a crowd that gathered in Jerusalem [party] wondering what was happening…
      • Peter STOOD up [passive] with the ELEVEN – gave an eloquent dissertation [from a fisherman]
      • To answer their question [what was happening] – Peter went back to the WORD!
    • Last Days – Joel 2:28-32
      • In the LAST days – between Pentecost and the Rapture [clock is counting down]
      • The Lord will pour out His Spirit on ALL flesh – men and women – young and old…
      • So that they will PROPHECY – declare the Word of the LORD [Gospel message]
      • Before the great and AWESOME [for the who are saved] Day of the LORD – Revelation 19:11
      • Because TODAY – right NOW – anyone who calls on His name will be SAVED [limited time]!
    • The Choice…
      • The crowd KNEW what had happened to Jesus [cross] – SEEN the signs and miracles…
      • But it was NOT possible for Him to stay DEAD – God raised Him from the grave…
      • Confirmed by the WORD – King David prophesied about it – Psalm 16:8-11
      • As well as by the WITNESS of the DISCIPLES – they had all SEEN Him…
      • Now Jesus was at the right hand of the Father – Psalm 110:1
      • The simple choice: would Jesus – whom they CRUCIFIED – be their SAVIOR or their JUDGE!
  • 1st – Convicted by the Spirit… vs. 37
    • 1st – Cut to the heart…
      • Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart!
      • When the CROWD heard the preaching of Peter – they were CUT [passive] to the heart [καρδία]
      • CUT [κατανύσσομαι] only here NT – to VIOLENTLY pierce…
      • From the same root word used to describe Jesus being PIERCED [νύσσω] in the side – John 19:34
      • The word is also used to describe HORSES dinting HARD earth with their hoofs [Homer]
      • The hearts of the Jews were HARDENED by sin [like dry packed earth]
      • Yet PETER sharing the WORD of God – EMPOWERED by the Holy Spirit…
      • Came down on those HARD hearts with such force – it SHATTERED them!
      • Jeremiah 23:29 – “My word is like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.”
      • At the turn of the 19th century [1904] England [Whales] had drifted FAR from God…
      • Until a small church – in a little town [New Quay] – began to pray…
      • God answered by pouring out His SPIRIT – causing a REVIVAL…
      • People who just walked by the church – knelt down broken – CONVICTED of their SIN…
      • Bars closed – crime stopped – the police had to look for new work…
      • Mines had to shut down – the men stopped swearing and the mules no longer understood them…
      • In all over 150 THOUSAND people came to confess Jesus as Lord – FILLING the churches!
      • The world has too many EMPTY churches – pastors VAINLY preaching to HARDENED hearts…
      • We have all experienced it – the BLANK stare we get when we talk about Jesus…
      • It seems people today are DEAF when it comes to their NEED for the Lord…
      • As if the message of the GOSPEL had lost the ABILITY to reach them…
      • But the problem is NOT in the message – the problem is a lack of POWER!
    • 2nd – What must we do…
      • [They] said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: Men and brethren what shall we do?
      • Seeing their sinfulness the people pleaded with Peter and the APOSTLES…
      • Men – BROTHERS [ἀδελφός] – what do [indicative] we do [ποιέω]
      • Godless people who had come to PARTY [Pentecost] – were suddenly broken…
      • Their eyes were OPEN – they saw they were SINNERS in danger of the JUDGEMENT…
      • And they were DESPERATE for someone to give them ANSWERS…
      • NOT because of Peter – but because of the WORD of God – and the POWER of the Spirit!
      • We CANNOT break through the SINFUL hearts of men on our own…
      • The SEED of the GOSPEL cannot penetrate that HARD soil with just the will of OUR words…
      • All of our PROGRAMS are like wadded paper shot at steel reinforced concrete walls!
      • But the POWER of the Spirit can SHATTER – bring the greatest sinners to their knees…
      • The DYNAMITE [δύναμις] of the Spirit to tear down even the hardest walls – Acts 1:8
      • Opening up hearts to Jesus of people – so that they put their FAITH in the Lord!
  • 2nd – Responding to the Spirit… vs. 38-39
    • 1st – Turn around… vs. 38
      • Warning…
      • Then Peter said to them: Repent!
      • Peter kept saying [imperfect] to them – you MUST [imperative] REPENT…
      • He was NOT afraid to tell the people they were going the WRONG way [hell]!
      • Sadly there are a LOT of churches today who are AFRAID proclaim the truth…
      • They are worried about OFFENDING people with what the Bible says…
      • They are more concerned about getting people into church – than into heaven!
      • People do NOT like it when we point out their SIN – they quickly get offended…
      • We CANNOT make people turn to Jesus – but we MUST warn them – Hebrews 3:13
      • We might think it is kinder NOT to UPSET someone who is sinning…
      • But the truth is leaving someone in their SIN – is condemning them to HELL!
      • Changed Life…
      • But there was a SOLUTION – they just needed to REPENT…
      • REPENT [μετανοέω] – the word means to have a change [μετα] of MIND [νοέω]
      • They needed to make a U-turn – if they wanted to make it to HEAVEN!
      • The Gospel message is NOT just about raising our hands at an ALTAR call…
      • It is NOT enough to say that want to go to heaven…
      • Our part is to REPENT – we must turn away from our OLD life!
      • Repentance is TURNING from our sinful ways – and moving towards Jesus…
      • True repentance is seen through a transformed life – NO longer doing the same things…
      • NOT that we are perfect – but we are DIFFERENT – desiring to live for Christ!
      • II Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation!”
    • 2nd – Baptism… vs. 38
      • The command…
      • Let every one of you be baptized!
      • EVERYONE must [imperative] be BAPTIZED [βαπτίζω]
      • This is the ONLY time in the New Testament that BAPTISM is commanded…
      • But it does follow the instruction of Jesus in the Great Commission – Matthew 28:19
      • Water BAPTISM does not save us – the thief on the cross – Luke 23:43
      • Neither does BAPTISM make us part of a denomination…
      • But it is NOT optional for believers – it is a COMMAND!
      • When …
      • There is some debate within Christianity over WHEN someone is baptized…
      • Peter was NOT taking to INFANTS – these were ADULTS!
      • BAPTISM is about CHOOSING to REPENT of our SIN…
      • An INFANT cannot CHOSE – therefore baptism is for those old enough to DECIDE!
      • How…
      • There is also a debate over HOW to baptize – sprinkle or dunk…
      • BAPTISM [βαπτίζω] literally means to be fully immersed!
      • The poet Nicander [200 B.C.] wrote down a recipe for making pickles…
      • You BAPTIZE [βαπτίζω] the cucumber – and it comes out changed – a PICKLE!
      • I love the picture – when we are BAPTIZED [βαπτίζω] – we go in a SINNER…
      • But we come out something different [pickled] – we come out a SAINT!
      • The name…
      • In the name of Jesus Christ!
      • We are to be BAPTIZED in [ἐπί] the NAME of Jesus – God [יְהֹוָה] who saves [יָשַׁע]
      • Who is the CHRIST [מָשִׁיחַ] – the one who was ANOINTED [called] to DIE for our sins…
      • BAPTISM is a picture of what happens when we believe in Jesus!
      • Romans 6:4 – “We were buried with Him through baptism into death that just as Christ was raised from the dead… even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
      • Water baptism is the OUTWARD statement of what takes place WITHIN us…
      • We are BURIED with Jesus [taken under the water] a picture of our DEATH…
      • We are RAISED up with Jesus [taken out of the water] a picture of new LIFE…
      • We do it publicly so that everyone can see – we believe in Jesus – Romans 10:10
    • 3rd – Forgiveness… vs. 38
      • For the remission of sins!
      • There are TWO results for those who REPENT and are BAPTIZED…
      • FIRST – they do so UNTO [εἰς] the FORGIVENESS of their SINS…
      • FORGIVENESS [ἄφεσις] – from the verb to SEND away [ἀφίημι]!
      • I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins – He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins!”
      • We find FORGIVENESS when we are willing to BELIEVE [repent] and CONFESS [baptize]
      • No matter what we have done – what burden we carry – Jesus take is ALL away!
      • Psalm 103:12 – “As the east is from the west… He removed our transgressions from us.”
    • 4th – The Holy Spirit… vs. 38-39
      • The Gift… vs. 38
      • You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!
      • SECOND – they will also receive [indicative] the GIFT [δωρεά] of the Holy [ἅγιος] Spirit…
      • This seems to be pointing the THIRD work of the SPIRIT [ἐπί] – the BAPTISM of the Spirit…
      • As Peter says they WILL [future] also be given the GIFT of the Spirit!
      • When Peter shared the Gospel with Cornelius – Acts 10:45-45
      • They received the GIFT [δωρεά] of the Holy Spirit – and began to speak in TONGUES!
      • For everyone… vs. 39
      • For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are afar off.
      • As many as the Lord our God will call!
      • This PROMISE of the GIFT of the Holy Spirit is [present] for EVERYONE [πᾶς]
      • For them – their CHILDREN – and to future generations [afar off]
      • To as many as the Lord – who is OUR God – may [subjuntive] call!
      • There are those that argue the GIFT of the Spirit were ONLY for the first church…
      • Because the Bible was NOT complete – God gave the Spirit to empower the church…
      • But once the Bible was finished – NO need for the gift – I Corinthians 13:9-10
      • The Holy Spirit is a vital part of the church – necessary in ALL Christian…
      • Which makes you wonder why we do NOT hear more about the SPIRIT in churches…
      • Peter makes it clear – the GIFT [δωρεά] of the Spirit is for every generation…
      • All we have to do is ask and the gift of the Spirit is available to us today!
  • 3rd – Results of the Spirit… vs. 40-41
    • 1st – Crooked Generation… vs. 40
      • The Beginning…
      • With many other words he testified and exhorted them!
      • This was NOT the end of the MESSAGE – Peter kept TEACHING [imperfect]
      • With MANY more words [λόγος] he told them about Jesus [διαμαρτύρομαι]
      • Calling [παρακαλέω] on them to live a GODLY life in this WICKED world!
      • People think their job is done once someone believes in Jesus – it is just starting…
      • We are not called to just tell people about Jesus – make disciples – Matthew 28:20
      • Stand up straight…
      • Saying: Be saved from this perverse generation!
      • They NEEDED [imperative] to be SAVED from this PERVERSE generation…
      • PERVERSE [σκολιός] – where we get the word SCOLIOSIS – a crooked and bent spine…
      • The very backbone of the world was TWISTED and ready to COLLAPSE!
      • There is NO difference between the days of the book of Acts and today…
      • The world is still TWISTED – and if we are trusting in the world – we will FALL with it…
      • Our ONLY hope is Jesus – in the POWER of the Spirit to help us STAND up STRAIGHT again!
    • 2nd – New Life… vs. 41
      • Grace of God…
      • Then those who gladly received his word were baptized.
      • And that day about three thousand souls were added to them!
      • As many as GLADLY received the WORD [λόγος] were BAPTIZED [βαπτίζω]
      • No one HAD to get listen – no one was REQUIRED to get into the water…
      • But because of the WORD – and the POWER of the Spirit – MANY did…
      • On that ONE day – THREE thousand SOULS [ψυχή] were added to heaven!
      • The Law of God…
      • Pentecost is celebrated as a memorial of the day the Law was given on Mount. Sinai…
      • The day Moses came down and saw Israel worshiping the Golden Calf…
      • When Moses called out – whoever is on the Lords side – Exodus 32:26
      • Most of Israel came to Moses [including the whole tribe of Levi]
      • Moses ordered them to go and put to DEATH all who would NOT turn to the Lord…
      • The day the law was given – THREE thousand of the Children of Israel were DIED!
      • The LAW of God – with its rules and regulations – can NEVER save a person…
      • The LAW only has the power to prove we are a sinner – it brings DEATH – Romans 7:10
      • Because the Law had NO power to change our desires – it CANNOT change our heart…
      • But the GRACE [gift] of God – the power of the Spirit – CAN change our heart…
      • I have to wonder what would happen – how many would be saved…
      • If the church would STOP teaching RELIGION and RULES…
      • And instead went out in the POWER of the Spirit to give people the GRACE of Jesus!
      • II Corinthians 3:6 – “As ministers of the new covenant. Not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills but the Spirit gives life.”
  • 4th – Defined by Jesus… vs. 42-47
    • 1st – Teaching…
      • They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine!
      • All of those who BELIEVED – came together as the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία] – called out…
      • They were DEFINED by doing FOUR simple things…
      • FIRST – they were continually [imperfect] studying the BIBLE [διδαχή] – apostles teachings…
      • Keep in mind there was no New Testament – it was the apostles who wrote it!
      • Amos 8:11 – “Not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD.”
      • The biggest problem in the church today – there is a FAMINE…
      • People do not grow or mature or grow in the Lord because NO one TEACHES them…
      • Because churches are more interested in ENTERTAINING – than giving the TRUTH…
      • People do NOT need to have FUN – they need to know how to get to HEAVEN…
      • The Word of God is what corrects – teaches us so that we can GROW – II Timothy 3:16
    • 2nd – Fellowship…
      • SECOND they were continually [imperfect] in FELLOWSHIP…
      • FELLOWSHIP [κοινωνία] – a word that means to be TOGETHER…
      • Because as believers we are STRONGER when we are NOT alone!
      • It is GOOD to come to church on Sundays and hear the WORD…
      • But there is a reason why we have the FRIDAY Bible study – and so many EVENTS…
      • We are even starting up a KOINONIA ministry – have dinner with new families!
      • Because we are NOT called to face the challenges of this life alone – we have a FAMILY…
      • Only when we KNOW each other – can we correct one other – encourage each other!
      • Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one… if they fall one will lift up his companion.”
    • 3rd – Communion…
      • THIRD – they were continually [imperfect] breaking [κλάσις] of BREAD…
      • This is a reference to the LAST supper – Luke 24:35
      • When Jesus gathered with His disciples – He took the BREAD and broke it…
      • And He told them they were to do this in REMEMBRANCE of Him – Luke 22:19
      • We take COMMUNION so we will NEVER forget that we are not our own…
      • God paid our price – He purchased us on the cross – I Corinthian 6:20
      • Our response to the GIFT of salvation – is to give up our life – surrender completely to Jesus!
    • 4th – Prayers…
      • Talking to Jesus…
      • FOURTH – they were continually [imperfect] in PRAYER…
      • PRAYER [προσευχή] – a compound word that meant to give our WISHES [εὔχομαι] to God…
      • It speaks of us TALKING to God – communicating with our SAVIOR!
      • Prayer should be a conversation with our Father in heaven…
      • How can we have a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus – if we NEVER get a chance to TALK to Him…
      • Taking the time to LISTEN to the wisdom He has for our lives!
      • Defining church…
      • There are those who think the CHURCH is a building [with chairs and a sound system]
      • There are those who think it is TRADITIONS – Sunday morning dressed up
      • But the model church laid out in the book of Acts is simply ALL about Jesus!
      • A church should take the time to study the WORD of God – learning about Jesus…
      • Make sure there is FELLOWSHIP with believers – pointing one another to Jesus…
      • The church should regularly have COMMUNION – remembering the sacrifice of Jesus…
      • The church should set aside time to PRAY – talk with Jesus!
  • 5th – Full of the Spirit… vs. 37
    • 1st – Outreach… vs. 43
      • Fearful unbelievers…
      • Then fear came upon every soul!
      • Because the CHURCH was FULL of the Spirit – focused on Jesus – THREE results…
      • FIRST – FEAR [φόβος] came upon every [πᾶς] SOUL [ψυχή] – of unbelievers…
      • Because the message of the GOOD news – is that Jesus came to SAVE us…
      • But there is also a CONSEQUENCE for those who REJECT Jesus [white throne]!
      • Signs and Wonders…
      • Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles!
      • That message was backed up with SIGNS and WONDERS [τέρας]
      • The APOSTLES [ἀπόστολος] – the ones God sent out…
      • Were doing [imperfect] SIGNS and MIRACLES [τέρας] for everyone to see!
      • The world does NOT have much respect for the church today…
      • The problem is the church looks and acts just like the world!
      • But when the church is focused on Jesus – full of the Spirit – the world is AFRAID…
      • Because they see in us the answer they have rejected – they are convicted by our lives!
    • 2nd – In-reach… vs. 44-45
      • Selfless… vs. 44
      • Now all who believed were together and had all things in common!
      • SECOND – ALL [πᾶς] who put their FAITH [πίστις] in Jesus…
      • Were continually [imperfect] together in HIM [neuter] – the Holy Spirit…
      • And because they were UNTIED in the Holy Spirit – they were NOT selfish…
      • They had ALL things in COMMON [κοινός] – root word of FELLOWSHIP [κοινωνία]!
      • No needs… vs. 45
      • [They] sold their possessions and goods and divided them among all – as anyone had need!
      • They SOLD their LAND [κτῆμα] and their VALUABLES [ὕπαρξις]
      • And gave the money they made to ANYONE [πᾶς] who had NEED!
      • When the RICH young ruler came to Jesus seeking Eternal life…
      • He walked away SAD – because he had a LOT of LAND [κτῆμα] – Matthew 19:22
      • But when Paul wrote the book of HEBREWS – he commended the believers!
      • Hebrews 10:34 – “When all you owned [ὕπαρξις] was taken… you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.” [NLT]
      • This does NOT mean we have to SELL everything and give it to the POOR…
      • It means we recognize that PEOPLE are more important than THINGS…
      • There is NOTHING in this life that we can take with us to heaven…
      • Expect the people that we get to share the GOOD news with!
    • 3rd – Church Growth … vs. 46-47
      • The location… vs. 46
      • So continuing daily with one accord in the temple. Breaking bread from house to house.
      • They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart!
      • THIRD – they were CONTINUALLY together in ONE accord [ὁμοθυμαδόν]
      • Both in the TEMPLE [τῷ ἱερῷ] – and from HOUSE to HOUSE [τε κατ᾽οἶκον]
      • They enjoyed sharing MEALS together [calorie fellowship]
      • As their heart hearts we filled with JOY – and SIMPLICITY [because they were forgiven]
      • It did not matter where they met – a building [church] or a house [home study]
      • They just loved to learn – talk about – remember – and talk to Jesus!
      • God added… vs. 47
      • Praising God and having favor with all the people.
      • And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved!
      • As they PRAISED [present] God – and had GRACE [χάρις] towards [πρός] all people!
      • The RESULT was the Lord continued [imperfect] to add DAILY…
      • Those who He was saving [passive] to the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία]!
      • The apostles did not start an ad campaign – run promotions on Facebook…
      • They did NOT start a feeding program – or have a special concerts…
      • Do NOT miss they KEY was what they were giving to ALL men…
      • As they were filled with the GIFT of the Spirit – the shared about the GRACE [gift] of God…
      • They went out proclaiming to EVERYONE the GOOD news about Jesus…
      • And the results was the Lord added to the church DAILY!