Acts 2:37-47
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Good Morning. Its good to be back with you again this morning. You know, I received a text message from my father-in-law this week to let me know that his calendar said that this Sunday is FBC-LA’s 72nd Anniversary.
Hearing this, I couldn't help but think about how much the church has probably changed over the years. I have no doubt that God has used this church in this town’s history. Though I do not know very much about the history of this church, the few stories I have heard of highlights from over the years have been nothing short of remarkable.
Thinking about the past of FBC-LA, made me think, “wow, its amazing how God has used this church over the years.” Not only has this church had a robust ministry that has been reaching families for decades, but it has been a church that has been planting churches. I hear that White Rock Baptist was planted from First Baptist, and that Jemez Mountain Baptist was planted from First Baptist.
Its amazing looking back at how God has used this church. But as I look back, I cannot help to look forward. It makes me think, over 72 years God has used this church in a big way, but in faith, I would like to wager that over the next 72 years, God can use this church in an even bigger way.
Though it
And as you look back at this church’s history, you can see the different season that the church has gone through. This all is really exciting when you think that our church is entering into a new season even now. David Taylor is coming in next week to take the position as our pastor. We have some incredible and exciting times ahead of us.
Bearing this all in mind, as I have been praying I have had it on my mind to peer into how the church started. Now though our church has a very cool story that goes all the way up to the president of the united states, I am actually talking about an even more powerful story. I am talking about the start of the church which all churches have come from. The church of the book of acts.
As we go forward into a new season in our church’s history, I think its worth looking at how the early church began. So, If you will, open your bibles to . As we look at the early church we see the quintessential model for church. They were a people who were dedicated to Loving the lord and loving their neighbor.
If you will, open your bibles to .
Before we read in , starting in verse 37, let me summarize what has been happening to up to this point in Acts.
The book of acts is set immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, the beginning of the book of Acts starts with Jesus appearing to many people. As he is talking to his disciples, he leaves a charge with them in Acts 1:8
Jesus Appears
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Whats cool about this commissioning of the disciples is not that he is commanding them to Go and make disciples, In fact in this account he isn’t using an imperative verb at all. Instead this is a prophesy, He is telling them what is going to happen and what the church is going to do. He says the Holy Spirit will come upon them and that they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.
Following this, Jesus ascends into heaven.
Well, many days later, the Day of Pentecost Comes. Pentecost is 50 (Pente) days after the passover. You, of course, probably remember that Jesus was crucified on the passover.
Later, Day of Pentecost Comes
So to set the stage, we are 50 days after the crucifixion, 47 days after the resurrection and many days after the ascension of Jesus. It was the day of Pentecost. and a crazy thing happens.
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
says -
Acts 2:2
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled athe whole house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire 1distributing themselves, and 2they 3rested on each one of them.
4 And they were all afilled with the Holy Spirit
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
So as Jesus said would happen in , the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples in a miraculous way.
The people around began to hear them speaking in tongues - it later says these tongues were heard in each person’s original language. Its incredible!
A crowd began to form.
The people are shocked - They ask “how can each one of us hear them in our own language?” And it says what was being spoken was of the mighty deeds of God (2:11).
Now at the people’s shock, Peter begins to speak a sermon to address the people. Let me say, this sermon proves that sometimes sermons just start weird and yet its still okay. This is the only sermon, I have ever heard that has begun with this really odd phase. “these men are not drunk”
Though such a strange start, Peter then continues with a powerful, powerful sermon that reached the people. He attested to the miraculous saving grace of Jesus Christ.
And and attest to the miraculous saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Now right after this sermon is where we will begin our reading today. .
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we 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 off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting 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.
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Let’s Pray - Lord, we thank you for your Word. We thank you for the long history of the church and how you fill every christian with your Holy Spirit. Lord, we thank you that by your grace, we will take your word from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth. Lord we do thank you for your word and we pray that you would speak to us this morning. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
There is no doubt that powerful things happened in the early church. Thus, as we enter into a new season in our church where better is there to look and glean principals to apply to our church.
So as we dig in, we will see two overarching components to this passage. First we will see the outreach of the church, and then we will see life within the church.
There are 2 major sections in this passage. First, we see the outreach of the church - .
So starting in we see the outreach of the church. We need to be careful as we come to this passage that we don’t think that these events are triggered by Peter’s sermon. In reality, these events are a result of the actions of the people as a result of the Holy Spirit coming upon them.
You see, Peter didn't just get up one Sunday or whatever day it was and preach a message that caused 3000 people to repent and be baptized.
No, what happened is that the people of the freshly established church spoke of the mighty deeds of God and that prompted the sermon. In fact, Gods spirit empowered them to do something miraculous — as they spoke, the people heard them speak in their original tongues.
Even back then, it was the church, not just the pastor, who shared the gospel to the lost. Outreach wasn’t about an event put on by a pastor or a committee, but it was each and everyone in the church sharing about christ.
Peter then goes and follows up this event with some preaching and the response to the outreach is remarkable! It says -
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we 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 off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting 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.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
It says the people were pierced to the heart. It also is often rendered as they were wounded in their conscious. This unique word in the Greek is only used this once in the New Testament. Homer, the person who many people attribute the Iliad to, uses this same word to depict horses stamping the earth with their hooves.
They were convicted and they began to ask, “Brethren, what shall we 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.
The New American Commentary: Acts (3) Invitation and Response (2:37–41)
Luke said they were “cut to the heart,” an uncommon word Homer used to depict horses stamping the earth with their hooves (v. 37)
This verse contains two imperatives. Peter tells the them to Repent and to Be Baptized.
Now as you look at this verse closely, the dominant idea is repentance with the other elements following. Repentance leads to baptism, the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
v38
the preposition “for” is actually a Greek work which is most commonly translated as “to” or “into”.
The New American Commentary: Acts (3) Invitation and Response (2:37–41)
The dominant idea in 2:38 thus seems to be repentance, with the other elements following. Repentance leads to baptism, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Spirit
So Peter speaks the message that penetrates throughout the bible, “you must repent” — that is to say, turn away from your ways and turn to the ways of God. Repent and be baptized and you will be filled with the Holy Spirit.
v38 INP - Repent, be Baptized
39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
You see, this promise in scripture is to all who will receive it - It is for you, it is for your children, it is for your neighbor, it is for people of every tribe, every tongue, and every nation. Regardless, who you are or where you feel you stand with God, this promise is to you if you accept it...
If you are one who as it says “one who God will call to himself.” then you will have this promise. To be honest with you, I believe that if you are hearing this message today, God is calling you… The question is though, are you listening to God’s call? So what must you do? Repent and be baptized and it says the gift of the Holy Spirit will be given to you.
And then we see the result in verse 40
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
Acts 2:
Here we see the result in the form of another command - Be saved!
v40 IMP - Be Saved
In fact if we trace the imperatives through this chapter we see the message of the gospel.
Verse 14 peter says “Let this be known to you and give heed to my word”
Verse 22, “Listen”
Verse 36 “Know”
Verse 38 “Repent” and “Be Baptized”
and Verse 40, “Be Saved”
“Give heed” “Listen” “Know” “Repent” “Be Baptized” “Be Saved”
Peter exhorted them - “Be saved from this perverse Generation”
Peter lays it out clearly here in the very beginning, The church isn't about being one with the current generation. He does tell them to be like the world to lure more people in the doors.
On the contrary, he begs them “Be saved from this perverse generation.” The promise of the gospel is yours, but you just need to follow after christ and be saved from this perverse generation!
and then in verse 41 we see the result
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Nothing short of Remarkable.
v41 - those who recieved the word were baptized. 3,000 souls were added.
You see, the Church was instituted upon outreach. Now we need to be careful in church that the word outreach doesn't get watered down. We are tempted to use the word outreach for so many things that really are not proclaiming the gospel. Churches host community events without even a prayer or a gospel presentation, all in the name of outreach. In reality, this is not what church outreach should look like. So let me put it more bluntly, the church was instituted upon evangelism. Unadulterated, unashamed sharing of the gospel! If you continue in the book of Acts, you keeps seeing this theme. You see, they were so living for Christ, they didn't care when they went out to share the gospel, where they when out and shared the gospel, or how they went out and shared the gospel. they just knew they needed to be sharing the gospel. They shouted it from the streets, the did this in homes, it didn't matter the the timing of the circumstance. These people lived to see Christ Glorified!
As we come into this new season in our church, I pray that we would be marked as a people who unashamedly shared the gospel and those who saw the lost be saved.
You see
So first, we saw the outreach of the church, and as we continue, we will see, we see the life in the church - .
Second, we see the life in the church - .
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
v42 - Apostle’s teaching, AND fellowship, breaking of bread, AND prayers
Why was their ministry so effective? how could they live like that? They had their focus on christ alone - not on which type of music is best, not on what color the carpet should be, not on any of the other silly things we waste our time on as we play church. You see, these people were not messing around. They weren't playing; they kept their focus true and to what mattered: the message of Jesus Christ. They weren't playing church, they were the church.
Part 1,
v37-39
The New American Commentary: Acts (3) Invitation and Response (2:37–41)
Luke said they were “cut to the heart,” an uncommon word Homer used to depict horses stamping the earth with their hooves (v. 37)
So we then see four more traits of the church. First we see that they were Devoting themselves to apostles teaching. ?Given that those apostles they were living with died nearly 2000 years ago, how does this translate to today? Well, I am glad you asked.
One camp of people says this means that we need to devote ourselves to the pastor’s teaching in our local church. Now there may be something to this, but I think even more so, we should be devoting ourselves to the teaching of the apostles in the bible.
v43
The New American Commentary: Acts (3) Invitation and Response (2:37–41)
The dominant idea in 2:38 thus seems to be repentance, with the other elements following. Repentance leads to baptism, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Spirit
Of course now days the best way to devote ourselves to the teaching of the apostles is by studying the Word. Did you know the New Testament is composed of books either based off the accounts of the apostles, or direct writings of the apostles?
Let me show you -
As we walk through the new testament, we start with the book of Matthew. The Matthew who is attributed with writing this account of Jesus’ life is Matthew the Apostle, the one Jesus met in a tax collector booth.
Then we have Mark, though he wasn't an apostle, tradition states that he wrote Simon Peter’s account of the Gospel story.
v38 INP - Repent, be Baptized
v40 IMP - Be Saved
We have Luke, though he too was not an apostle, he states in his introduction that he is assembling a chronological account of the stories of the apostles.
v42
Then we come to John, the gospel written by the apostle john himself.
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
. Quite possibly v. 42 should be viewed separately, as a conclusion to the Pentecost narrative
And Acts, though again written by Luke, this is based upon the Apostle Paul’s account of the acts of the early church.
Then a vast majority of the rest, are letters written by the apostle Paul to churches and individuals.
And of course we have 1st and 2nd peter written by the apostle peter
James by the apostle James.
Revelation by apostle John.
And backing up a few books to Hebrews, though the author is a mystery, given that every other new testament book follows this pattern, its hard to believe that as the early church compiled the writings of the New Testament, that they would select just one book that wasn't of similar authorship. So thus, most argue, Hebrews is written either by an apostle or under an apostle.
And thought out the New Testament, where do we see many of the apostles teaching from? The Old Testament.
Thus, what is the most sure fire way to devote yourself to the apostle’s teaching? Devote yourself to the teaching of the Bible.
Now ideally, a pastor will be teaching the Bible, so its not a stretch to say we should devote ourselves to the teaching of a pastor, but we have to remember not all churches teach the bible. So above all, in order to devote ourselves to the teaching of the apostles, we can devote ourselves to the teaching of the bible.
Thus, what is the most sure fire way to devote yourself to the apostle’s teaching? Devote yourself to the teaching of the Bible. Now ideally, a pastor will be teaching the Bible, so its not a stretch to say we should devote ourselves to the teaching of a pastor, but we have to remember not all churches teach the bible. So above all, in order to devote ourselves to the teaching of the apostles, we can devote ourselves to the teaching of the bible.
So not only did they devote themselves to the apostle’s teaching, but they also the trait of being devoted to fellowship and breaking of bread.
Fellowship, here, as is typical is translated from the Greek word koinonia. It means “association, communion, fellowship and close relationship.” In the secular Greek culture, it could have involved sharing of Goods with others as well as communion with a god through a sacred meal. Regardless, the word translated as fellowship depicts a close relationship and even carries a connotation of sharing.
Breaking of bread of course is closely related to Fellowship. In fact, possibly due to the close relation between these two concepts, no and is used between fellowship and breaking of bread.
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
The second activity to which they devoted themselves was “the fellowship.” The Greek word used here (koinōnia) is one Paul often employed, but it appears only here in all of Luke-Acts. Its basic meaning is “association, communion, fellowship, close relationship.”139 In secular Greek it could involve the sharing of goods, and Paul seems to have used it this way in 2 Cor 9:13. It was also used of communion with a god, especially in the context of a sacred meal; and Paul used it in that sense in 1 Cor 10:16.
So not only did the church have the traits of being devoted to the apostles teaching, and to fellowship and breaking of bread, but we also see that they were devoted to prayer.
Third activity - To breaking of bread
Whats interesting here, is that the word prayer in the greek is plural.
I think this is closely related to Fellowship. so close that the author didn't offset it with an “And”.
Fourth Activity - To prayers - In the greek, prayer is plural.
It wasn’t that the people prayed one prayer. they prayed multiple prayers. It kinda makes you think they were praying about everything, you know, kinda like the rest of the bible says we should.
Thus as we move into this new season, we need to be a people devoted to the Word, a people devoted to each other, and a people devoted to prayer.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
v44-45
First we see that it says those who believed were together. the phrase translated “together” is notoriously difficult to translate. It depicts the gathered community with a strong emphasis on their unity. In fact we see this unity is further expressed in that it says they had all things in common.
They were together -
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
First, they are said to have been “together” (epi to auto). This Greek phrase is notoriously difficult to translate, occurring five times in Acts (1:15; 2:1, 44, 47; 4:26). It seems to depict the gathered community, with a strong emphasis on their unity.147 This unity is further expressed by their holding “everything in common” (which is described in v. 45 as selling their goods for the benefit of others whenever a need arose).
Now you might be thinking, does this mean that we are supposed to live in a commune? Is that what this is teaching the church should do?
Now if you look at the concept of the view of having all things shared equally, it is actually based upon a Greek philosophical concept proposed by Pythagorean. We typically know him as the triangle hypotenuse guy, but he also was a philosopher and is the first credited with the thought of the utopian concept of having all things in common with each other.
As we look deeper at this verse, I am not sure that this is the concept being conveyed. If we look at verse 45, it seems to speak instead to the community selling their property and possessions and giving to those who had need. So not so much sharing of everything, but instead sacrificial giving.
They had all in common - “community ownership” vs “selling and sharing with those in need”
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
First is the Greek ideal of a community in which everything is held in common and shared equally.
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
First is the Greek ideal of a community in which everything is held in common and shared equally. It is a basically utopian concept, which can be traced as far back as the Pythagorean communities and is often expressed by the same phrase Luke employed in v. 44, “holding all in common” (echein hapanta koina).148
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
It is a basically utopian concept, which can be traced as far back as the Pythagorean communities and is often expressed by the same phrase Luke employed in v. 44, “holding all in common” (echein hapanta koina).
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
Verse 45, however, speaks against the early Christian community adopting a practice of community ownership. The imperfect tense is used, indicating that this was a recurrent, continuing practice: their practice was to sell their property and goods149 and apportion the proceeds whenever a need arose.150 This is much more in keeping with the Old Testament ideal of community equality, of sharing with the needy so that “there will be no poor among you” (Deut 15:4f.).
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
It is a basically utopian concept, which can be traced as far back as the Pythagorean communities and is often expressed by the same phrase Luke employed in v. 44, “holding all in common” (echein hapanta koina).148 Verse 45, however, speaks against the early Christian community adopting a practice of community ownership. The imperfect tense is used, indicating that this was a recurrent, continuing practice: their practice was to sell their property and goods149 and apportion the proceeds whenever a need arose.150 This is much more in keeping with the Old Testament ideal of community equality, of sharing with the needy so that “there will be no poor among you” (Deut 15:4f.).
You know, the early church didn't have a budget like we do in churches today. if the church institution had a need or the people in the church had a need, it was practice that people would give to according to that need. The giving was so sacrificial that we see that the early church members would sell their property and possessions to meet those needs.
You see they most likely didn’t have a written church budget voted in at an annual business meeting. Instead we see a slightly different model. Each person saw their personal things as God’s things. This is a foreign concept to so many Christians today.
God is the creator of the universe. he holds the world in motion. Everything you have, you have it because God, in his great grace has allowed you to have and to steward. You see, ultimately, we have to realize that its not “my house” or “my car” or “my paycheck” or “my money”, but ultimately it all comes from God. You see, its God’s house, God’s car, Gods paycheck, and Gods money, he has just decided to use your as his instrument to steward those things. When we change our perspective to this, that God has choose us as his instruments to steward these things, it changes how we live.
My mentor in seminary, Dr Steve Lee, Professor of Evangelism and Church Planting, really did teach me, but one thing that always will stick with me is he would say: “we need to spend every dollar with fear and trembling.” That is to say, its God’s money and if we are a good steward of his, we need to consider how each dollar we have is spent with a healthy fear of God. That is to say, we need to be asking ourselves, would God be pleased with me spending his dollar on this or that?
Though this is definitely a tough principal to engage in so many ways, this is how the church he planted and we served at since early on was able to survive financially. You see, we weren't reaching out to the rich, but our congregation was composed of international students from around the world. Students who grew up knowing that each US dollar was the equivalent to a good meal, sometimes two. We had members who gave sacrificially, but speaking in terms of dollars, giving was in tens of dollars per person, not hundreds of dollars. Many times, it was literally all that these people had.
You see, when you are entrusted to the money that people give so sacrificially, it hits you that “this is God’s money and I need to be sure that however it is spent, it is in according to God’s will”. By the grace of God, We saw that church plant grow. we saw it go from 30 to 50 to 80 to 100 people. We saw our income go from 10k per year, to 20k per year to over 30k per year.
Let me tell you, its hard spending ever dollar with fear and trembling when you really don’t have much.
On the other hand, coming back to Los Alamos, we have found its almost impossible. We have another challenge entirely. We are used to seeing so much money coming and going that its hard to even consider a single dollar at times. In a town of 17,000 people where the number one employer is responsible for over 2.2 Billion dollars coming into the area, its hard to consider a single dollar.
Nevertheless, as we go forward, I would like to challenge you, as our church budget seems tight. Consider each and every dollar that you are spending or using at church. If you are responsible to purchasing, let me encourage you, use careful consideration in each and every purchase. We must in ministry as well as in our personal lives ask this question “Will this purchase, in some way allow the spread of the Christ?”
So we see this intense unit and fellowship in the church. A unity and fellowship defined by sacrificial giving.
And as we close, this is my prayer for our church.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)
The structure of Acts should remind us of this—the unity of the Christian community derives from and is guided by the gift of the Spirit that lies at the heart of its life together.
As we go into this new season of the church, i pray that we would be like the early church. I pray that we would have a commitment to outreach that sees the lost saved; I pray that we will be devoted to the Word; I pray that we would be devoted to fellowship and breaking of bread; I pray that we would be committed to prayer; and I pray that we would be committed to unity.
Lets Pray -