Acts 2 [New International Version]:

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem Godfearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism Cretans and Arabs–we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

Peter Addresses the Crowd

36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Footnotes:

It is an awesome joy anytime that we can share in a celebration of 3,000 souls saved as we see in the 2^nd chapter of Acts! What a great day! The Book of Acts serves a very unique role in the New Testament. The Book of Acts also serves a very unique role in the history of the Church. It picks up where the Gospels leave off. It provides a backdrop for the Epistles. It details the spread of the Gospel. It also details the expansion of the Lord's Church. It is the only record, inspired or otherwise, of the first 30 years of the Church.

Included in the historical record of Acts are many examples of conversions… in which we find the apostles, preachers and others leading people to Jesus Christ! In some cases we read the very messages used to proclaim the Gospel. We also find descriptions of what people were told that they needed to do to receive God's saving grace.

The value of such examples of conversions cannot be overstated… For today we hear or see many different "gospels" being proclaimed. In fact, as I often say, "There is a lot of things done in the name of the Lord that He has nothing to do with." Not all messages that are proclaimed in our day are truthful gospel messages. In fact, even when the gospel facts are faithfully proclaimed, people are often told to respond in ways that are not found in the New Testament. So the Book of Acts enables us to make sure that the true Gospel facts and commands are faithfully proclaimed!

In today's Scripture lesson, we are going to consider the first example of conversion as recorded in Acts, chapter 2, "The 3,000 on Pentecost." As we begin, let's do so with...

1. THE BACKGROUND OF THE CONVERSION:

It was the day of Pentecost - Acts 2:1 - an annual Jewish feast celebrated 50 days after the presentation of the firstfruits… One in which Jews would travel great distances, as seen in Acts 2:5.

The Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles - Acts 2:2-13, as promised by John and by Jesus - Acts 1:4-5; Luke 24:49. Audible and visual signs accompanied this great event…

1. A sound as of a mighty rushing wind - Acts 2:2
2. Divided tongues of fire sitting upon each of them - Acts 2:3

This event enabled the apostles to speak in foreign languages [known languages for a distinct purpose - to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that every man, woman, boy or girl in that crown, that day, could understand]. So,

1. We see that those who spoke were "Galileans" - Acts 2:7.

The reaction of the crowd was mixed - Acts 2:12-13. Some were amazed. Many were perplexed. Others mocked, accusing the Apostles of being drunk. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Peter explained what happened - Acts 2:14-21. It was too early for them to be drunk - Acts 2:14-15. Rather, it was a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy - Acts 2:16-21, as found in Joel 2:28-32, in which God promised to pour out His Spirit on all flesh.

So, we find a large crowd gathering of religious people initially drawn by the miraculous events, which occurred this day in Jerusalem. Having explained the meaning of the events, Peter immediately preceded with the first recorded gospel sermon… So, let's considered…

1. THE SERMON AND ITS PURPOSE:

Jesus is proclaimed! Peter began with the life and miracles of Jesus, with which his audience was well acquainted - Acts 2:22. As such, Peter laid the blame of Jesus' death at their feet. But he also pointed out that it was in keeping with God's predetermined plan - Acts 2:23. He declared that God raised Jesus from the dead, and provided three lines of evidence - Acts 2:24-35:

1. The testimony of David - Acts 2:25-31. David had prophesied of the resurrection of God's Anointed - Psalm 16:8-11. David could not have been speaking of himself. He was speaking of Jesus… Thus the testimony of the Scripture… Then there was:
2. The testimony of the 12 Apostles - Acts 2:32. Than had to be eyewitnesses to qualify as apostles - Acts 1:21-26. With 12 witnesses, the demands of Scripture were overwhelmingly met ["by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established"] Thus, the testimony of the witnesses. Then there was…
3. The testimony of the Spirit's anointing - Acts 3:33-35. The outpouring was evidence of [1] Christ's exaltation to the right hand of God; [2] Christ receiving from the Father the promise of the Spirit… And so another prophecy of David was fulfilled - Psalm 110:1. Thus, the testimony of the day's events.

Finally, Peter reached the climax of his sermon - Acts 2:26. The Jesus that they had crucified had made "Lord" [Ruler of all - Matthew 28:18]. God had made this Jesus that they had crucified "Christ!" [The Anointed One prophesied in Scripture]. This fact they were to "know assuredly" - to understand - to accept as fact, - to firmly believe!

The response to Peter's sermon…

0. The listeners were convicted - Acts 2:37. They were "cut to the heart." They asked, "What shall we do?"
1. Peter responded with a command and a promise - Acts 2:38-39. [1] The commands were to repent and to be baptized for the remission of sins. [2] The promise was for "as many as the Lord our God will call."
2. Luke then summarized what followed… [1] Peter continued to offer testimony and exhortation - Acts 2:40. [2] Those who "gladly received his word were baptized" - Acts 2:41. [3] "3,000 souls were "added" (Later we learn it was the Lord Who was adding them to His Church - Acts 2:47).

With this response to Peter's sermon, the Lord's Church began in Jerusalem - Acts 2:42. It was truly an amazing day! It was a day in which 3,000 souls responded to the Gospel of Christ! What can we glean from this example of conversion?

1. AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONVERSTION:

1. Peter's focus was on the Word, not on signs and miracles. His explanation of the miracles was no more than a quotation from Joel. Having explained the miraculous, Peter directed their attention to Jesus!
2. Peter's theme was the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus… His life and death they knew… It was Jesus' resurrection and exaltation to God's right hand that Peter sought to prove! His main objective was for them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Messiah [Christ].

There are some observations regarding the response…

0. The reaction of the people is noteworthy… "cut to the heart." This shows the power of God's Word to convict! - Romans 1:16. While convicted, not all will respond the same way - Acts 7:54 [Stoning of Stephen].
1. The reply to their question is also noteworthy - "What shall we do?" Peter commanded them to "Repent!"… which was what Jesus expected him to say - Luke 24:46-47. Peter commanded them to "be baptized," which was also in keeping with what Jesus commanded the Apostles - Matthew 28:19; Mark 15:15-16.
2. The purpose of their baptism was explained: "For the remission of sins." This same phrase was used by Jesus in Matthew 26:28. Jesus' blood was shed for many "for the remission of sins." In both cases, the preposition "for" means "with a view toward, in order to." Jesus shed His blood in order to provide remission of sins. One is baptized in order to receive remission of sins [for in baptism we are baptized into Christ's death - Romans 6:3-5].

Those who were baptized were promised "the gift of the Spirit." … The gift of the Holy Spirit Himself - Acts 5:32… not something the Spirit gives [such as salvation or spiritual gifts]. All who become Christians receive the Spirit, initially, and those who surrender to Jesus Christ as not only Savior, but allow Him to be Lord of our hearts and lives, - in other words, - total consecration, - receive Him in His sanctifying fullness.

Nowadays, we have people who struggle with this part as we live in a society where people are all too often afraid of what they might have to give up in total consecration. Whatever the Lord may impress on us to give up isn't worth keeping. Whatever we gain is far better than anything we may feel led to forfeit!

Lessons that we learn for today:

0. When preaching, teaching, or sharing the Gospel… Our focus should be on death, burial, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 2:1-2; 15:1-4.
1. The evidence as we offer as support should be… the testimony of Scripture [as the Old Testament prophecies, for example] and the testimonies of eye witnesses [as the apostles, etc.].
2. Our goal is for people to accept the Lordship of Christ, acknowledging Him to be the Messiah, God's Anointed.
3. When people are convicted of sin and ask, "What shall we do?" we should reply [1] Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ [though not specifically mentioned, it is assumed in the call to "know assuredly"] - Acts 16:30-31. [2] Repent of your sins - Acts 17:30. [3] Be baptized for the remission of sins - Acts 10:48; 22:16.
4. Along with the remission of sins, we should tell of the promise of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit's role in the life of the Christian is important - 1 Corinthians 6:11; Romans 8:13. While the roll of the Spirit is often misunderstood, we should not hesitate to make mention of Him as a promise and gift to those who obey God! - Acts 5:32.

CONCLUSION:

With the first example of conversion, we find Peter faithfully carrying out the commission of his Lord:

0. To preach the Gospel - Mark 16:15
1. To preach repentance and remission of sins in Jesus' name - Luke 24:47
2. To include baptism along with faith as a proper response to the Gospel - Mark 16:16
3. To make disciples by baptizing them - Matthew 28:19

Is this the gospel and response being proclaimed today? [1] Some preach the gospel of health and wealth, with a focus on "signs and wonders," rather than on the death, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ!

[2] Some would tell the lost to simply "say the sinner's prayer." Is that what Peter said? No!

[3] Those who presume to preach in the name of Jesus Christ should be careful to preach as His apostles did; those who wish to respond to the grace of God in Christ should be careful to respond as those did who heart the apostles preach!

I trust that you have responded to the preaching of the Gospel in the same manner, as did "the 3,000 on Pentecost"… Remember… "Those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand were added to them" [Acts 2:41].

Please note:

You are welcome to share this important message in your local churches, home fellowship Bible studies, etc., but I suggest that you personalize it. You do not have permission to publicize it or to make money from it in any form. May God richly bless you as you minister for Him with rich spiritual rewards of seeing many souls saved and sanctified for all eternity! Please let me know whatever helpful results you may get from this!

With Warm Sincerity in Jesus’ Love,

Rev. Don Schink, Pastor-Evangelist

Sonlight Ministries

Tijeras, NM