The Acts, Part 6

Last week, Peter spokes to the men of Israel and reminds them Jesus, the Messiah, had been sent to them. There were “mightly works and wonders and signs God did through him” right in front of them. Instead of believing on Him as their Savior - they crucified Him. But, that was not the end. God raised Him from the dead three days later. No tomb holds the body of Jesus Christ today, as He is just as alive today as He was at the time He walked this earth with the apostles. Once hearing this, though, there was something that changed to those who heard these words.

Conviction and Response

Acts 2:37–41 ESV

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?” 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. 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.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Those gathered listening to Peter’s sermon at pentecost were convicted. They found themselves standing guilty before a righteous God of rejecting, and ultimately crucifying, Jesus. Luke, here records their emotion as “cut to the heart”. The New American Commentary says this word “cut” was “an uncommon word Homer used to depict horses stamping the earth with their hooves”. This was not just a feeling of guilt, this was an inner turmoil, an inner pain, an inner gut wrenching recognition of what they had done and the fact they stood guilty before God almighty. The Holy Spirit used Peter’s words to not just step on their toes, but to stomp on their heart. It was a piercing pain, one they could not shake. There was a conviction like they had never felt before.

What is conviction? Rolland McCune, in A Systematic Theology of Biblical Christianity, writes “Conviction is an operation of the Holy Spirit on the mind of the sinner which proves to him the truth of his sin, Christ’s righteousness and God’s eternal judgment. There is nothing technically emotional about conviction. Emotion may follow conviction or result from conviction, but it is not itself an aspect of conviction. In short, conviction is an intellectual phenomenon, not an emotional one. Conviction is a work of the Holy Spirit that articulates with the human conscience using the Word of God as the means (special revelation). Only when it functions upon the basis of special revelation can it convict of sin, righteousness and judgment. Conviction imparts a certainty of one’s guilt of sin and the necessity of receiving the redemption offered by God.”

What was their response to this conviction? “Brothers, what shall we do”?

Peter’s response was almost programmatic in that he presented them with four essentials of the conversion experience: repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins, and receipt of the Spirit. These four generally form a single complex throughout Luke-Acts.

Repentance - the act of turning from our sin, idolatry, and creaturely rebellion and turning to God in faith.

Baptism - the expression of regeneration and union with Christ, one of two ordinances to be practiced in the church until he returns. Now, side note - why was the inclusion “in the name of Jesus” added? He was in Jerusalem, wasn’t he? Should they not have known? Of course! But, had Jesus not told them to baptise in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? The Trinity is one, correct? So, if the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God… being baptised in the name of Jesus is summarily being baptised in the name of God. The ESV Study Bible makes this note “Even though different words are used here in Acts, the meaning is the same because in biblical usage a person’s “name” represents the person’s character, everything that is true about the person. The “name” (character and attributes) of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is the same as the “name” (character and attributes) of Jesus Christ. In fact, in Matt. 28:19, the word “name” (Gk. onoma) is singular, indicating that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit share one “name” (i.e., one character). To be baptized into that name is a sign of identifying with that name and taking on Christ’s character, as well as committing to live one’s life from that point on as a representative of that name.” The word used here, translated as “for” eis can also be translated “on the basis of”. This changes the whole meaning, we are baptised on the basis of Jesus forgiving our sins. One thing that should not be forgotten is baptism does not produce forgiveness and cleansing from sin, but repentance does. Baptism is our outward expression of what has changed inward.

Forgiveness of sins - justification, redemption, reconciliation, righteousness - sin debts are cleared, no longer to be brought up again.

Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit - Here the Spirit seems to be promised immediately following or accompanying baptism, but in 10:44–48 the coming of the Spirit seems to have preceded water baptism.

Acts 10:44–48 ESV

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

So, to say this section of verse means baptism is required for the Holy Spirit to come upon the believer is contradicted by scripture 8 chapters later. Or, we could argue the Jews must be baptised to receive the Holy Spirit, but us Gentiles can receive the Holy Spirit before baptism. Now, does that make any sense? NO!

1 Corinthians 12:12–13 ESV

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

The drinking speaks to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for all who receive Him. So, what is important for us to remember out of these verses? Repent, be baptized, receive forgiveness, and you will received the Holy Spirit as a gift from God.

Peter also warned them “with many other words” which eans he had only written a portion of Peter’s sermon. His reference to a “corrupt generation” (skolias, “crooked, perverse”) is Old Testament language for a generation that is stubborn and rebellious and not faithful to God. The Jews at Pentecost were part of such a generation, a generation that witnessed the coming of the Messiah and rejected him. So Peter’s final word was an appeal to “save” themselves from the lot of such a generation. And they were saved; about 3,000 accepted Peter’s invitation that day, were baptized, and were added to the 120.

Fellowship of Believers

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

What changed in these who heard the Gospel message given by Peter? They were truly saved AND - listen closely to this - they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship - Oh my goodness, they became active in the “church”. Too often today, I do not think we put enough emphasis on the discipleship of new Christians and they soon fall into their old habits and as a result do not engage with or become a part of the activities of the church.

Instead, they are like the Catholic squirrels...

The Presbyterian Church called a meeting to decide what to do about their squirrels. After much prayer and consideration, they determined the squirrels were predestined to be there and they shouldn't interfere with God's divine will. At the Baptist Church, the squirrels had taken an interest in the baptistery. The Elders met and decided to put a water slide on the baptistery and let the squirrels drown themselves. The squirrels liked the slide and unfortunately, knew instinctively how to swim so twice as many squirrels showed up the following week. The Episcopal Church decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God's creatures. So, they humanely trapped their squirrels and set them free near the Baptist Church. Two weeks later the squirrels were back when the Baptists took down the water slide But the Catholic Church came up with a very creative strategy. They baptized all the squirrels and consecrated them as members of the church. Now they only see them on Christmas and Easter. Not much was heard from the Jewish Synagogue, but it's rumored that they took one squirrel and circumcised him. They haven't seen a squirrel on their property since.

Now, on the other hand, notice who took interest first… “they devoted themselves”. So, if a person is truly convicted of sin, truly repents of sin, and truly receives the Holy Spirit…will part of the signs of their salvation not be a desire to devote themselves to the church??? You see, when Christians act like Christians, they want to be more like Christians and will do Christian things…and notice the end…and others will want to be like them.