What are We to Do?
Lessons from the 1st Century Church | A Study through the Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsWhen confronted with the Gospel, the crowed was cut to the heart and asked the question we must all ask, What are we to do?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Focus Passage: Acts 2:37-41
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Outline
What are we to do
What are we to do
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?”
There were two responses given to the Gospel presented within the first portion of chapter to the presentation of the Gospel.
The initial response to the Gospel was two-fold
The initial response to the Gospel was two-fold
1. There were those that responded with, what does this mean (v. 12)
1. There were those that responded with, what does this mean (v. 12)
2. There were those that responded with, jeering and doubt (v. 13)
2. There were those that responded with, jeering and doubt (v. 13)
My question is simple, how did you respond? How are you responding this moment? As I have said, over-and-over, when the Gospel is presented, one finds themself at a crisis of decision. You have no choice but to make a decision and that decision is either to accept and embrace the Gospel or reject the Gospel. There is no middle ground.
The gospel was presented clearly a second time and those jeering and doubting were brought to that crisis of decision. So, what does that crisis of decision look like? How does it happen?
A Crisis of Decision
A Crisis of Decision
The Gospel message is presented (vv. 22-24)
The Gospel message is presented (vv. 22-24)
The Guilt of man is declared (v. 26)
The Guilt of man is declared (v. 26)
As we look at our text, we find that once the guilt of man is declared, it is up to the Holy Spirit of God to do what He does.
8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment:
We find within our text this is is what happens. Those that were once jeering and doubting, now find themselves convicted of their sin, they were pierced to the heart. This is why people do not want to hear about Jesus? This is why most, even Christians, do not read the Bible as they aught. It is reported statistically that only 5% of those who claim to be Christian have read the Bible through-and-through. Why? Because it convicts man of their sin. It shows who we really are.
12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
However, there is more to the word of God than showing man their sin. We also find through the Word of that we are invited to God’s throne of grace.
16 Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.
Contextually, we see those coming to this crisis of decision, being convicted of their lostness and guilt, pierced to the heart, crying out with a question that all need to be asking, What are we to do?
For the last two to three weeks, you have had the Gospel clearly presented to you. While I do not know your heart or your position in the Lord or position within the crowd that day, I am certain that not everyone that is within the sound of my voice knows the Lord. You can say, you don’t know me. You don’t know my heart. You are right. However, I know the one that does. My question to you, Is do you?
If you are here asking the same question those in the crowd that day were asking, What are we to do, I gladly and emphatically present to the you the same answer that was given that day, for it is the same answer today.
The gift of God is offered
The gift of God is offered
As Peter stood with the other eleven that day, he plainly states the answer to their question. How is one to respond? The Gospel message always points one to the gift of God, not of works, but through faith.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Within that faith and through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, one acts. How does one respond?
Salvation comes through a repentant faith - ‘…repent…for the forgiveness of sin...’
Salvation comes through a repentant faith - ‘…repent…for the forgiveness of sin...’
Salvation comes through the redemptive power of the Holy Spirit - ‘…and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...’
Salvation comes through the redemptive power of the Holy Spirit - ‘…and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...’
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
One may ask, what about the other portion of this verse? Where Peter states, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. When one looks at the Scriptures as a whole, you will find that baptism is never mentioned outside of salvation, but salvation is mentioned outside of baptism.
Even as we study through the book of Acts and Peter’s additional sermons within Acts 3:19; 5:31; and Acts 10:43, there is no mention of baptism. Paul even writes to the church at Corinth...
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.
With all this said, why does Peter mention baptism in partnership with salvation within this text. In the English translation we miss what is being stated in the Greek. Within the Greek, we find that Peter is not stating to be baptized for the forgiveness of sin but rather because of the forgiveness of sin. He is stating, because you have repented of your sin, accept Christ as Lord and Savior, now be obedient and truly become a public follower of Christ and that public following and first step of obedience is baptism. It was then and is now, an outward expression of an inward change. It is not for salvation but because of salvation. It was their way of identifying with Christ and the community of Christ followers.
Baptism in our current society has lost its reverence. We see baptism as an option. Brothers and sisters, baptism is not an option, it is a command and step of obedience. If you claim Christ as Lord and Savior and have never been obedient and followed the example and command of our Lord and taken that first step of obedience, baptism, then let it be known, you are in sin and you are called to repent.
I continue, as Peter then, Be saved from this perverse generation. Listen, we live in a crooked and warped time, perverse generation. Repent of that perversion and accept Christ as Lord and Savior through faith based repentance. There is a reason why Peter kept on urging them. There is a reason why I continue to urge you this day. With same urgent motive as Paul, the love of Christ and the knowledge of the coming judgment seat of Christ, I declare to you repent for the remission of sin. Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
4. A choice is made
4. A choice is made
What is your choice today? Will you continue to reject the Lord? Will you continue to live in sin? Will you not confess your sin this morning?
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Will you not believe in Jesus Christ? Will you not finally understand that God does not reject or condemn you? You condemn yourself by rejecting God’s love.
18 The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Will you not call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
21 ‘And it shall be that Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
There is but one name that saves, Jesus Christ!
12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”
The salvation offered that day was not just for them, but praise God, is for us today! It is for Jew and Gentile alike, For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord your God will call to Himself. If God calling you this day, come! Know that you do not come on your own to God. You come while He is near!
8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
What is your decision? Choose this day whom you will choose! Will obey in repentant faith in Christ and find salvation or will you choose once again to leave without Christ, playing Russian Roulette with your soul?
Conclusion
I simply close with this passage...
18 “Come now, and let us debate your case,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.