Acts 2:37-41
Notes
Transcript
Acts 2:37–41 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ (The Chosen Rescuer) for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
what we are looking at today is the first Alter Call of the church.
Alter Calls:
If you grew up in church or have been around church for awhile you are familiar with the “Alter Call”
“With every head bowed and every eye closed”
“I see that hand”
“There is SOMEBODY here tonight who needs to do business with Jesus”
“Just as I am” on a loop
Alter calls have gotten a bad wrap these days, we do them on occasion
The idea behind an alter call is that when God’s word is preached, taught, or read it has the power, through the working of the Holy Spirit, to change hearts and minds.
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
CUT TO THE HEART
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Last weeks message:
Jesus was the messiah, the chosen rescuer, and you killed him. This was all part of God’s plan and Jesus is NOT in that tomb. He rose from the dead.
There are 4 things we should observe from the account of this alter call:
Repentance is Necessary
Repentance is Necessary
Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Side note, I have never had this happen or seen this happen but it seems like they stop him and ASK for an alter call
38 And Peter said to them, “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.
What is Biblical repentance?
What is Biblical repentance?
Luke records Peter’s thoughts in the very next chapter:
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
Repent - to turn from sin and to turn to God
Repent - to turn from sin and to turn to God
Turning away from:
Ignorance
Sin
Other gods (or objects of worship)
Turning Towards:
Jesus the savior
a new way of life
the community of believers
Who must repent?
Who must repent?
39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Everyone. If you are churchy, church adjacent, a goody goody, a crime doer, a cheat, a lier, an American, a Jewish person
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
Forgiveness is Necessary
Forgiveness is Necessary
38 And Peter said to them, “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.
What is biblical forgiveness?
What is biblical forgiveness?
The Prodigal Son
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Why is forgiveness so important?
Why is forgiveness so important?
Forgiveness is so important because Sin
Some people have a hard time admitting to themselves or others that they are sick
Walking around saying things like:
“I am not sick, i’m fine”
“I’m not sick, its just allergies”
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Sin is a big deal
Sin needs to be acknowledged and dealt with.
A Leaky boat
The Work of the Holy Spirit is Necessary
The Work of the Holy Spirit is Necessary
38 And Peter said to them, “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.
The holy spirit convicts us of our sin
The holy spirit draws us
The holy spirit give us faith
The holy spirit empowers us to do what God requires of us
6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
Public Commitment is Necessary
Public Commitment is Necessary
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
What is baptism?
There are no secret christians
There are no solo christians
So What?
So What?
Have you repented and received forgiveness?
Have you repented and received forgiveness?
Are You listening to the Holy Spirit?
Are You listening to the Holy Spirit?
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Have you been Biblically baptized?
Have you been Biblically baptized?