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Lesson 6 : The Result of the First Gospel Sermon. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study. Salvation from sins was enumerated (2:37-39). The gospel message was heard (2:37a). The gospel message produced faith (2:37a; cf. Rom. 10:17).
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I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Salvation from sins was enumerated (2:37-39). • The gospel message was heard (2:37a). • The gospel message produced faith (2:37a; cf. Rom. 10:17). • Even after hearing the gospel and believing it, they were still not saved. • The gospel message requires repentance in order to be saved (2:38). • The gospel message requires immersion in water in order to be saved (2:38). • Obedience to the gospel message promises two essential blessings to all: • The remission/forgiveness of sins (2:38) • The gift of the Holy Spirit (2:38-39)
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The plan of salvation, on this first occasion to be offered, was plainly proclaimed! • Since “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17), those who heard believed (Acts 2:37). • If the believers were saved at that point, nothing further would have been required. • The godly sorrow needed to work repentance and its necessary changes (2:38). • Baptism, required by the name/authority of Christ, was equally essential.
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Baptism is absolutely essential to one’s salvation from past sins! • Baptism is commanded in answer to being freed from sin and its guilt. • Baptism is equally as essential as repentance, being joined by “and”—a coordinating conjunction that joins two items of equal grammatical weight. Both are required. • Baptism is required by the authority of (name of) Christ (Mt. 28:18-19; Mk. 16:16). • Baptism is “for” (in order to obtain) the remission of sins (more below). • Baptism is placed before remission of sins by God, not after. That is God’s order. • The response shows its essentiality—about 3,000 were baptized that very day.
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The Greek preposition “eis” in Acts 2:38 means “in order to obtain” remission of sins! • Some try to make “eis” mean “because of,” to put baptism after the remission. • The Greek term “eis” (1,773 times in N.T.) always looks forward & points to its purpose. • “eis” never looks backward, never is translated “because of” & never has that meaning. • The same exact phrase is found in Matthew 26:28. • Obviously, it denotes purpose (“to obtain”) and not that sins were already forgiven. • The same word “eis” is found also in Acts 3:19, translated “that” or “so that.”
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The “gift of the Holy Spirit” is promised to “as many as the Lord our God will call” (2:39). • The promise was made to Jews, their descendants and to Gentiles (cf. Eph. 2:13, 17). • It was made to “as many as the Lord will call” with & through the gospel (cf. 2 Th. 2:14). • What is “the gift”? Miraculous or non-miraculous? Limited to 1st century or abiding? • The universal promise of remission is linked to “the gift.” • Made to “as many as” are called, with no “temporary” indication. • “…Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him” (5:32). • Rom. 8:9, 11; 1 Cor. 6:19; Gal. 4:6; 1 Jn. 3:22 • The activity of the indwelling Spirit is another study, but it is NOT miraculous!
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Salvation from sins was encouraged (2:40). • Peter preached about Christ (2:22-36) and offered “the invitation” (2:37-39). • Then, he continued to urge (repetitively) his hearers to “Be saved” (2:40): • The imperative emphasizes that compliance with conditions is essential. • The passive voice emphasizes that it is God who does the ultimate saving.
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Salvation from sins was enjoyed (2:41-46). • About 3,000 responded, were baptized and were joined together (2:41). • Order was quickly established in the church, including its acts of public worship: • They “continued steadfastly,” noting a regular frequency and persistence. • “The apostles’ doctrine” = standard of authority that was preached (cf. Mt. 28:20) • “Fellowship” = common sharing (Gk. koinonia), incl. “contribution” (2 Cor. 9:13) • “The breaking of [the] bread” = observance of the Lord’s Supper (cf. Acts 20:7) • “Prayers” = public and congregational times of prayer • The early church also sang hymns of praise in their worship (v. 47; cf. Eph. 5:19).
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • “The breaking of bread” is a reference to the Lord’s Supper! • Just as “Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it” (Matt. 26:26), so did the church. • They met on the first day of the week (for the purpose) “to break bread” (Acts 20:7).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Salvation from sins was enjoyed (2:41-46). • The impact of Christianity was creating deep reverence among all (2:43). • The early church loved their brethren and loved being together (2:44-47a). • Because they shared Christ in common, they shared all they had (2:44). • The sharing was voluntary (not forced or required) and based on need (2:45). • They met daily for study/teaching in the temple and eating meals in homes (46). • The temple grounds, with all of its courts, provided multiple options for meeting. • In those early days, they found favor in the city and at the temple (2:47a; cf. 8:1).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Salvation from sins was energizing (2:47). • The daily activity of the early Christians resulted in daily conversions. • It is the Lord who adds those saved (according to His plan) into His one body.
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The Lord adds those who are saved to His church! • Man cannot “join the church of his choice.” There’s only one church—the Lord’s! • Those who are saved are in the Lord’s church. Those in the Lord’s church are saved. • One cannot be saved outside the Lord’s church (cf. Eph. 5:23). • There can be some in the church who have been added by man – called “tares.”
III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives • The message of our Savior’s cross-death in our place should cut us to the heart! • If you have never been baptized for the remission of your sins, why not? • There is a fate awaiting this perverse generation from which we must be saved! • We need to find joy & strength in each other, with a mutual interest for our needs! • We should want to be together (with our brethren) in spiritual and social settings! • The church ought to have the highest priority in our lives (cf. Matt. 6:33)! • The “Christian” part of our lives must not be limited to a day or to a building!