Key Verse:
Acts 2:42 NKJV
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [n]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The result of a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led community.
Amen!
Where to begin?
Acts 2:1-12 NKJV
Coming of the Holy Spirit
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Crowd’s Response
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own [c]language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and [d]Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
Yes. In order to put this lesson in proper context, all of the above is required reading. Luke records the happenings on the Day of Pentecost, the Jewish Festival of Weeks. In a way, the Festival of Weeks was a yearly recognition of Jubilee, which occurs once every fifty years. The accurate understanding of Pentecost is ‘fifty days’. The Festival of Weeks counted forty-nine days plus one from the Passover to mark ‘Pentecost’, or ‘ A foretaste of Jubilee”.Who knew that it was fully in the plan of God to begin His Church on the Day of Pentecost, but the significance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this particular day, fifty days after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ can not be overstated, and must not be overlooked. The magnitude of the event in the moment was so overwhelming that Luke observed and recorded that the day’s events left the onlookers “amazed and perplexed”, and searching for answers. The first sermon of the ‘Church age’, preached by the Apostle, Peter provided the prophetic insight to the move of God in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, by title and office, The Ruach Ha’Kodesh, fully the third part of the God-Head upon the earth, sent here to lead the Church in this ‘Age of Grace’.
The Lesson
Acts 2:32 NKJV
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
Today’s lesson picks up near the end of the prophetic moment in which Peter finds himself. He has recounted, for his audience, the significance of the crucifixion of Christ. In recounting the Resurrection of Christ from the grave, himself having been an eye witness to the occasion of Jesus’ Resurrection and the forty some-odd days of His post-resurrection ministry, encouraging the believers, and finally, His (Christ’s) ascension into Heaven, witnessed by Peter along with some four hundred some odd witnesses including, (smile) James. That this arrival of the Holy Spirit is paired or associated with the Resurrection of Christ is significant to the observers of the days’ events because, if the association is is correct, it brings with it a simple, but profound truth: Judaism is no longer relevant and has been nullified.
Wait! What?
Nope, I didn’t stutter. For the festival-goers in attendance at this festival of Weeks, Peter’s preaching suggests that as awe-inspiring as the days’ events are, the ramifications of the events are even greater: the nullification of the Law of Moses by God through the Resurrection of Christ, signified by the arrival of the Holy Spirit on Earth to continue the ministry of Christ through… the Church. Did you get all that? I hope so. I’m not going to explain it again tonite. Onward.
Acts 2:33 NKJV
33 Therefore being exalted [j]to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
Peter continues by confirming that the Risen Christ, Jesus has taken His position of honor at the right of His Father, God and that it is He who has authorized the coming of the Holy Spirit to earth with signs and wonders following. Again, the significance of Peter’s prophetic revelation cannot be overstated. Jesus had been exalted to preeminence over all of creation, according to the ancient scriptures!
Interlude
Acts 2:36 NKJV
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Verse thirty-six (above) sums up Peter’s revelatory sermon by restating the primary reason for what the crowd has both seen and heard on this day: that the arrival of the Holy Spirit this day is a direct result of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to the Throne of Grace. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit signifies that Jesus has been exalted to the highest of the Heavens and is now Lord of Lords and the Savior of all Creation! Lord and Savior! Though this verse was not included in the printed text, its inclusion gives explanation to the response of the onlookers who heard Peter’s sermon; this first sermon of the incipient Church.
Return to the Lesson...
Acts 2:37 NKJV
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
No wonder then, that the onlookers responded with such a sense of … dread? Confronted with the stunning events they were witnessing and the even weightier implications that Peter’s explanation of this ‘Day of Pentecost” and its association with the cross of Christ, one can see how, suddenly, they would have been overcome with guilt. Guilt for the murder of Jesus, who had been proven to be God’s own Son. No wonder at all that they were ‘cut to the heart’.
Yet, let’s not overlook the work of the Holy Spirit in this moment. The Ruach Ha’Kodesh was sent to earth to bring conviction of sin to the human heart. For what purpose? To then reveal the great love of Heaven, personified in Christ for the redemption of mankind.
Acts 2:38a NKJV
38a Then Peter said to them, “Repent,...
Repent! Turn! Return to God! This is Peter’s plea and subsequently, the plea of every Holy Spirit-inspired preacher since that day. Repent. Don’t turn away. Turn to… God! He’s waiting with open arms.
Acts 2:38b NKJV
38b … and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ…
On this magical day, in this moment of wonder, Christ has thrown open the doors of Heaven and is inviting all who will come into His everlasting Kingdom. To be baptized into the kingdom of Christ is to be buried with Him in death and raised with Him into the newness of life (Romans 6:4). And what a life He promises!
Acts 2:38c NKJV
38c … for the [k]remission of sins;...
Some renderings of this verse use the word ‘forgiveness’ here, however, the KJV and NKJV use the word ‘remission’, which I believe is the more accurate rendering. The Greek word used is ‘afesis’, which means a release from bondage or imprisonment. A ‘release’ or pardon of that kind can only be authorized by the proper authority, or rather, Authority. Acceptance by Jesus into His everlasting Kingdom include His pardoning and absolving the believer from the penalty of sin, which is death. In that death is the very opposite of life, and that eternal, it stands to reason that one of the very benefits of entrance into the Kindom of God is release from the penalty of sin. In essence, the forgiveness of sin is not an emotional response to the conviction of one’s heart on the part of Christ, but rather, a legal component and benefit of the contract sealed by Christ’s blood that allows the born-again believer to enter into Christ’s Kingdom.
Acts 2:38d NKJV
38d …; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
So, there are two popular interpretations of this verse. The first is understood as, “... you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift” (paraphrase mine’s) or, “... you will receive a gift from the Holy Spirit” (again, paraphrase mine’s). While the prevalent translation is the first, among Charismatic believers, those who believe in the ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of the ‘spiritual gifts’ mentioned in 1 Corinthians, the Twelfth Chapter, most predominantly speaking in tongues. For a number of reasons, I lean toward the second translation. I offer briefly the following:
The Gift of God is Eternal life - Romans 6:4
The Gift of Christ is forgiveness or remission of sins - Mark 2:10, Matthew 9:6
The Gift of The Ruach Hakodesh (The Holy Spirit) are the gifts or manifestation of the Spirit within the body of believers - Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12, Acts 19:5-6
Either way, the Holy Spirit remains here on earth to carry out God’s work in the Church in this Age of Grace.
Acts 2:39 NKJV
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.”
Peter then declares that what they are seeing and hearing is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 44:3) that God would pour out His Spirit on all who come to Him and on their descendants as well. The Old Testament is replete with references to this very promise. In essence, God demonstrates the eternal power of His promises in mortal flesh by extending that very power from generation to generation according to this foundational promise. A saved father or mother really does sanctify the children, setting them apart for the work of God’s purpose in the Earth.
Acts 2:40 NKJV
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [l]perverse generation.”
Peter finished his sermon with an altar call: a call to all who would receive eternal life. The use of the word ‘exhortation’ implies encouragement. By the unction of the Holy Spirit, Peter has revealed a way of escape from the Day of Judgment that would most certainly be revealed. Always remember, Peter personally experienced Jesus’ remission of his denial of Christ when Jesus restored him and sent him to feed His (Christ’s) sheep (John 21:11-19). He could offer no less, and with no less love.
Acts 2:41 NKJV
41 Then those who [m]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
And then the greatest miracle of the day occurred: the salvation of three thousand souls. The Bible records that they received Peter’s words gladly, that they weighed the options set before them that day and that they wisely chose Jesus. They chose Jesus as Lord, whereby they received entrance into His eternal Kingdom and received the gift of eternal life, Jesus as Savior as the benefit. Or is it the other way around (smile)? No splitting hairs here. On that day, a day that heralded the beginning of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit three thousand souls were added to the Kingdom of Christ. Look… at God!
Acts 2:42 NKJV
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [n]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And immediately, those new, born-again believers committed themselves, with purpose, to four key things. First and chief among them: the doctrine or teaching of the Apostles (not James (smile)). Why is this so important? Recall that in verse thirty-two we surmised that the resurrection of Jesus, in conjunction with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit has completely nullified the Law of Moses. These new believers are learning a brand new way, the Way of Christ. In fact, Church history records that before they were labeled “Christians’, they were simply referred to as “followers of the Way”. It was imperative that they learn this very new ‘way of Christ’. The Apostles’ teaching was tantamount to the achieving of that goal.
The second thing they committed themselves to was fellowship. Fellowship with who, you ask? Fellowship with other believers. The importance of fellowship may seem obvious, but its importance cannot be overstated. As new believers, it was imperative that they stay together as a group to draw strength and encouragement, one from another.
The third component of their fellowship, recorded by Luke, is the breaking of bread. One could argue that this may have been an early observation of communion. I doubt it, however, I do believe that it signaled the growth of s sense of community among the believer: a shedding of individuality for the good of the community, exemplified by the sharing of food. Out of this would grow a furthered sense of community that would see this young body of believers reach a point where they saw themselves as, “one heart and one soul”, and they ‘shared all things in common” (Acts 4:32).
Finally, the fourth discipline the believers committed themselves to was prayers(plural). In this dawning Age of Grace, there was no longer a need for a high priest to pray for you. This invitation into the Kingdom of God included an open invitation into the very Throne Room of God in your time of need. I recall that when I got saved, I relished the intimacy I experienced with God in prayer. I still do. This time that I spend writing this blog is filled with reflection inspired by fellowship with God. Oh, how I enjoy our time together!
Acts 2:43 NKJV
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
The reverent fear of the Lord is tantamount to the attaining of Wisdom. Godly Wisdom. Additionally, the fear of the Lord and the observance of the appropriate posture of humility frees the Holy Ghost to work miracles amongst God’s people. The Holy Ghost must not be grieved by our pride and lack of humility if we are to experience the miraculous; the miracle-working power of our very awesome God. After all, we are but His subjects in His ever-expanding Kingdom. Jesus is Lord!
Acts 2:44-45 NKJV
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and [o]sold their possessions and goods, and divided[p] them among all, as anyone had need.
And so, we witness their continued growth, away from individualism and toward a community where all were servants and where all were served. A community that eschewed the benefit of material possessions for the sake of gaining the benefit of common purpose within the community of believers. A purpose aligned with God’s own will for His fledgling Church.
Acts 2:46 NKJV
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
And so, as their fellowship grew in strength and in the commonness of identity and purpose, we see one beautiful result: a simplicity of heart. No hidden agendas, no load-bearing without load sharing. It was a one-for-all and all-for-one mentality that resulted in the fruit of the Holy Spirit being made manifest among them. They were literally growing in Grace.
Acts 2:47 NKJV
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [q]to the church daily those who were being saved.
And the final result: God gave them favor with all of the people. Additionally, God added to the Church on a daily basis. We ask God to send revival. He asks us to find the way of humility.
Selah,
wb
1 Peter 5:6 NKJV
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
