Lesson 2.1 - Salvation in Acts - September 29th

September 29, 2024

Series 2: Salvation in Acts

Acts 2:38

lesson 2.1

FOCUS VERSES

Acts 2:37–39

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

LESSON TEXT

Acts 2:1–4, 14–39

TRUTH ABOUT GOD

The gospel of Jesus opens the door to salvation.

TRUTH FOR MY LIFE

I will obey the plan of salvation outlined in Acts 2:38.

Lesson Connection

After retiring from a lifelong pastorate in California, the man of God moved to be near his son in New Mexico. The retired pastor and his wife busied themselves doing the work of the Lord alongside their son’s family. During this latter season of ministry, the elder felt a familiar stirring in his own spirit. He recognized the tug of God he had felt many years before when he was a young man. The first time, the call of God had been to a small town in the hills of northern California. This time, the call was toward a small town near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Once he was certain of the call, the retired pastor knew the Lord was asking him to make a leap of faith. At that point he spoke with his son, who was also his pastor. Together they approached district officials. Finally he got the go-ahead to start a home missions work in Moriarty, New Mexico. At the time he planted the church, the once-retired-now-church-planting pastor asked God for strength to plant the church and watch it grow. “Please, Lord, give me ten years to do what You have asked me to do.”

The pastor and his wife uprooted from their children and grandchildren to follow the call of God. Although it was not easy to leave family behind once again, they obeyed the burden they felt and planted the church. For ten years the pastor and his wife prayed intercessory prayers over their small town. In addition, for two of those years, the pastor arose in the night and prayed for one to two hours for his city. By the ten-year mark, the work was beginning to flourish. God brought laborers for the harvest, and the church was reaching their community with the gospel.

Exactly ten years and one month after he started the church, the elder pastor woke up early one morning and joined an online prayer meeting with his son and the church he pastored. Afterward, he went to wash his hands before making coffee for himself and his wife. His wife heard a strange sound come from behind the closed door. She made her way toward him, but before she even reached her husband, she knew he was gone. Without warning, the pastor of that church in that little town in New Mexico had what is commonly referred to as a “widow-maker” heart attack. One moment he was preparing to make coffee; the next moment he was with the Lord.

Bible Lesson:

I. THE HOLY SPIRIT OUTPOURING

The disciples and other followers of Jesus did not know exactly what to expect when they gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem, but they knew enough to trust the words of the Lord. In Luke 24:49, the risen Jesus told His disciples: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” They did not know what that power would look like or feel like, or even what it would sound like. However, they trusted the one who called them to make it clear when the time came.

A. Jesus’ Followers Obeyed His Command to Tarry in Jerusalem

In moments of change, there is often a struggle to maintain unity. The Lord knew human nature, so He asked His followers to defy it. He asked them to stay together and hold on to hope after His departure. In commanding His followers to “tarry,” Jesus was acknowledging the tendency of the sheep to scatter at the loss of their leader. (See Mark 14:27.) No doubt, many heard the words of Jesus commanding them to wait in Jerusalem. But on the Day of Pentecost, we see only 120 remained in the upper room.

What is it about losing a leader that might cause a scattering among followers?

From a battlefield perspective, a leader brings order in the chaos. In war, we deal with something called the fog of war - and while this isn’t always eliminated from the battlefield - it can be partially removed by a cool, calm and collective leader. However, when that leader is gone - a new one must arise. There is not always going to be another person who want to lead from the front when bullets are flying toward them.

Spiritually, a church may struggle if their pastor disbands because of the confidence he ensued. Pastors are different than military officers, as they are called. In order for God to replace one shepherd, He has to call another one.

Churches have seen great turmoil in the transition of pastors, as some saints chose to leave because they either do not like or want to submit to the new Pastor’s authority

It comes down to losing what we see as a pillar or foundational stone in our life. This is why when building our lives, Jesus must be the chief corner stone because even pastor’s will come and go, but Jesus remains forever.

Don’t take what I just said and use it to cause problems for Pastor either. Indeed, our Pastor is a pillar in the church…as such, we chose to honor him.

B. The Spirit Was Poured Out as Jesus Had Promised

Obedience is more than just listening; it requires response. Because the disciples obeyed their Lord and gathered together to wait for the promise, they did not miss the moment God ordained for the ushering in of the New Covenant Spirit baptism. Just as Jesus promised, the believers who gathered in that upper room in Jerusalem were “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

In Acts 1:4–5, Jesus commanded those who were with Him to “not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Jesus continued by telling them a little more about the Holy Ghost who was to come: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Just as Jesus promised, at the appointed time, the power of God came down: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2–4). Because Jesus’ followers obeyed His command, they received the promise.

C. I Will Pray for a Holy Spirit Outpouring

When we align ourselves with God’s will, we position ourselves to see and receive spiritual blessings. It is not God’s will that any should perish, so when we pray for God’s Spirit to be poured out, we are praying the will of God. Although not all churches acknowledge it, Scripture is clear: the outpouring of the Holy Ghost is accompanied by the supernatural sign of speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues did not disappear after Acts chapter 2. People spoke in tongues throughout the Book of Acts when they received the Holy Ghost; it is the biblical normative for the sign of receiving God’s Spirit. Certainly other supernatural signs accompanied the outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2 such as cloven tongues like as of fire and the sound of a rushing, mighty wind. However, speaking in tongues is the only consistent sign we see for the other Holy Ghost baptisms in the Book of Acts. (See Acts 10:44–46; 19:1–6.) It is the normative biblical experience to signify Holy Ghost infilling.

II. PETER’S MESSAGE

In the first message to the New Testament church, Peter preached a message of conviction and hope under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. While Peter preached, he was not standing alone. Scripture tells us Peter stood “with the eleven” other apostles (Acts 2:14). If anything Peter spoke was contrary to what they had heard or experienced, no doubt they would have spoken up and corrected him.

Why is it easier to face uncomfortable moments when you have people standing beside you?

A. Peter Preached Jesus from the Old Testament

While the Holy Ghost was poured out in the New Testament, Scripture had foretold of this exciting day for generations. Peter connected the phenomenon of tongue-talking, seemingly drunken followers of Christ (Acts 2:15) to a prophecy from the Old Testament. In fact, Peter told the Jews they were witnessing “that which was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:16) when Joel spoke of a day when God would “pour out [His] spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).

God had promised this day. It might have been strange; it might have seemed unbelievable. but the Word of God had testified of this day for centuries. Because of that witness, over three thousand people who heard Peter’s sermon believed it and were baptized.

What about the unfamiliar makes us nervous or skeptical?

It is commonly seen or practiced by others. This makes it hard for us to acknowledge an act as normative. When talking about the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues - that became the new normal within the church. Prophesy became alive among the people of God once again because Jesus came on the seen.

We need to understand something very important here:

Discuss how the prophetic word returned after Jesus came on the seen - this spans about 400 years (the intertestamental period between Malachi and John the Baptist)

B. Peter Preached the Death, Burial, and Resurrection

For the first time in the church’s newborn history, Peter preached the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, he reminded the hearers: “Jesus . . . being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:22–23). Peter proclaimed Jesus had died and was buried.

Then Peter preached an astonishing truth: Jesus did not remain in the tomb but was raised up from death (Acts 2:24). Jesus’ raising from death is commonly referred to as the Resurrection. Although the Resurrection defied belief in some ways, Paul later told the Jewish leaders: “this thing was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:26 <Agrippa>). This one verse might seem insignificant; however, it acknowledges many eyewitnesses witnessed the Resurrection.

C. I Will Proclaim Jesus and His Glorious Gospel

In this first sermon of the New Testament church, Peter told the Jews: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Many churches teach some form of repentance and baptism. However, Peter preached the whole gospel—the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This teaching is essential to understand since our salvation experience must follow the pattern set by Jesus. We also must die in repentance, be buried with Him in baptism, and be resurrected by the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Just as the disciples shared the gospel of Jesus, so must we. We must preach the whole gospel to the whole world.

What are some reasons it might be daunting to share the gospel?

III. THE RIGHT RESPONSE

A. The Crowd Was Convicted of Sin

Matthew 24:37–39 explains that in the days of Noah, people “were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,” and they “knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.” Times have not changed much. Just like in Noah’s day, people live how they want, without much (if any) thought about God’s laws. However, when we are made aware of our sin, three common responses are indifference, condemnation, and conviction. Indifference is when we are not affected by the realization we have done wrong. In contrast, condemnation lays on us a penalty we can never pay, and it leads to guilt and shame. Condemnation pushes us from God.

The third response to being confronted with our sin is to be convicted of it. The word convict comes from the Greek word elencho which means “to convince someone of the truth.” Conviction is much deeper than just a feeling of guilt or shame; it is being confronted with who we are and what we have done, being found “guilty as charged.” In a courtroom, a guilty verdict earns us a sentencing date, complete with a penalty. The same is true spiritually. As sinners, we are guilty as charged. Conviction—being found guilty and then humbling ourselves—brings us to the foot of the cross in a true act of worship, admitting we are sinners in need of salvation.

B. Peter Commanded Them to Repent and Be Baptized in Jesus’ Name

Peter’s command was two-part: repent and be baptized in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38). Repentance is not simply something we say; it is also something we do. Repentance involves confessing and forsaking sin. We confess our sins to God. (Note: We can tell another person if we think we need accountability, or we can ask for forgiveness if we have wronged someone.) Then we have to forsake our sins. Once we have repented, then we submit to water baptism in Jesus’ name.

Peter did not preach a mere suggestion. Peter was not preaching to the “choir.” Peter responded to those who had consented to Jesus’ death, asking how they could be made right with God after all they had done wrong. Many of us have found ourselves in similar situations, sitting under convicting preaching and hoping for a way to find forgiveness. Peter’s response on the Day of Pentecost echoes through the ages. Just as the Jews who heard Peter’s message were faced with a decision, so, too, are we.

What is the difference between condemnation and conviction? 1 Jn 4:20

C. Peter Promised They Would Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Peter continued his inspired sermon: “Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Shall indicates a promise. Just like any promise, we have to be willing to receive it. Often, many of us do not feel worthy of wonderful gifts, so they are hard to accept. However, the Word of God proclaims if we repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus, we shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

D. I Will Obey the Plan of Salvation Outlined in Acts 2:38

While many churches teach some form of repentance and baptism, not all take their congregations to the “upper room.” They obey part of Peter’s first sermon, but they stop short. Peter promised the Holy Ghost—that tongue-talking, powerful experience—to everyone who heard him that day. But he did not stop there. He preached, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39). If you are hearing this lesson today, rest assured, God is calling you. We all must do our part: repent of our sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus. The rest is up to God, and He is not slack concerning His promises (II Peter 3:9)—He will fill us with His Spirit.

Internalizing the Message

When the pastor of the little church outside of Albuquerque passed away without warning, his family and his church family dealt with much sorrow. During their time of grieving, the congregants made a commitment to one another that no one would leave, at least not right away. They had loved their pastor, and they knew the sacrifice he and his wife made in leaving their children and grandchildren.

The congregation had watched their pastor labor for a spiritual harvest. They had recognized his willingness to obey the voice of God. The church members did not want to see the years of labor be lost. Even the pastor’s widow, though it would mean lonely nights and an empty house, agreed to stay for a season. While many were tempted to leave at the loss of their pastor, they obeyed the gentle nudging in their hearts encouraging them to tarry until God provided another pastor. Eventually, the pastor’s wife moved to be with her family, yet the work that began because of one man’s burden has continued.

Just as the Lord placed a burden in a pastor’s heart for a town without a church, God still deals with sincere believers today. We must be willing to obey the nudges and commands of our Lord. Often we find ourselves asking God for direction for our lives. When God gives us directions we were not expecting, or perhaps commands our human nature resists, we come to a crossroads. Will we obey the voice of God, or will we refuse it? We want to know our calling and our purpose; however, if we have not yet obeyed the gospel, that should be our first priority. Once we have been willing to obey the written command of God, He will be able to show us our next steps.