Authentic Christianity: Authentic Message

“Authentic Christianity: Authentic Message”

-41

Acts 2:22–41 NIV

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “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 promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

acts 2:22-41 –

What was Peter’s message that began the church? Why is that message still important today? How should we respond to this message?

· What was Peter’s message that began the church? Why is that message still important today? How should we respond to this message?

The gospel versus religion. Good news versus “good advice” or how good you have to be to earn your salvation.

“The promise…”

o What is it? Why is it so important? All who are far off.

this is the good news, not do more, but accept what Jesus has done.

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Last week Brian kicked off our new Sunday series called “Authentic”. In the world of knock offs, copies, water down truth, and pseudo Christianity its easy to buy into weak convictions, broad road mainstream Christianity, social media, our own itchy ears, and the pressure to blend in to the world. We wanted to have a series that focuses on different aspects of authentic Christianity to help center our life and convictions. For this study we will be looking at the book of Acts, which covers the first 35 years of the church from its birth and initial expansion.

Today we are going to look at Authentic Message In

In your bibles go to Acts Chapter 2.

This such a rich section of scripture and such a pivotal one for anyone who calls themself a Christian.

Think about where the apostles were at after Jesus’ death, they followed him for 2 years and saw all the miracles. Jesus had promised the would sit on twelve thrones, and that he would be the savior of all of Isreal.

But he died on that cross and they were hiding in an upper room, fearful and discouraged. Devastated and distraught.

But praise God the story doesn’t end there—the most horrible thing that ever happened was the most wonderful thing that ever happened.

—the most horrible thing that ever happened was the most wonderful thing that ever happened. Consider the cross of Jesus Christ. Could it be possible for something to happen that was more terrible than this? Could any injustice be greater? Could any loss be more painful? Could any suffering be worse? The only man who ever lived a life that was perfect in every way possible, who gave his life for the sake of many, and who willingly suffered from birth to death in loyalty to his calling was cruelly and publicly murdered in the most vicious of ways. How could it happen that the Son of Man could die? How could it be that men could capture and torture the Messiah?

If we consider the cross of Jesus Christ.

he had died a horrible death something amazingly—the most horrible thing that ever happened was the most wonderful thing that ever happened. Consider the cross of Jesus Christ. Could it be possible for something to happen that was more terrible than this? Could any injustice be greater? Could any loss be more painful? Could any suffering be worse? The only man who ever lived a life that was perfect in every way possible, who gave his life for the sake of many, and who willingly suffered from birth to death in loyalty to his calling was cruelly and publicly murdered in the most vicious of ways. How could it happen that the Son of Man could die? How could it be that men could capture and torture the Messiah?

Could it be possible for something to happen that was more terrible than this?

Could any injustice be greater?

Could any loss be more painful?

Could any suffering be worse?

The only man who ever lived a life that was perfect in every way possible, who gave his life for the sake of many, and who willingly suffered from birth to death in loyalty to his calling was cruelly and publicly murdered in the most vicious of ways.

he only man who ever lived a life that was perfect in every way possible, who gave his life for the sake of many, and who willingly suffered from birth to death in loyalty to his calling was cruelly and publicly murdered in the most vicious of ways. How could it happen that the Son of Man could die? How could it be that men could capture and torture the Messiah?

How could it happen that the Son of Man could die?

How could it be that men could capture and torture the Messiah?

Was this not the end of everything good, true, and beautiful? If this could happen, is there any hope for the world?

Was this not the end of everything good, true, and beautiful?

If this could happen, is there any hope for the world?

Well Acts Chapter 2 tells us the answer is yes. There is hope!

Well, the answer is yes. There is hope! The cross was not the end of the story! In God’s righteous and wise plan, this dark and disastrous moment was ordained to be the moment that would fix all the dark and disastrous things that sin had done to the world. This moment of death was at the same time a moment of life. This hopeless moment was the moment when eternal hope was given. This terrible moment of injustice was at the very same time a moment of amazing grace. This moment of extreme suffering guaranteed that suffering would end one day, once and for all. This moment of sadness welcomed us to eternal joy of heart and life. The capture and death of Christ purchased for us life and freedom. The very worst thing that could happen was at the very same time the very best thing that could happen. Only God is able to do such a thing.

The cross was not the end of the story!

Let’s read this chunk of Scripture together.

Acts 2:14–21 NIV

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Acts 2:14–41 NIV

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “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 promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:22–28 NVI

»Pueblo de Israel, escuchen esto: Jesús de Nazaret fue un hombre acreditado por Dios ante ustedes con milagros, señales y prodigios, los cuales realizó Dios entre ustedes por medio de él, como bien lo saben. Éste fue entregado según el determinado propósito y el previo conocimiento de Dios; y por medio de gente malvada, ustedes lo mataron, clavándolo en la cruz. Sin embargo, Dios lo resucitó, librándolo de las angustias de la muerte, porque era imposible que la muerte lo mantuviera bajo su dominio. En efecto, David dijo de él: »“Veía yo al Señor siempre delante de mí, porque él está a mi derecha para que no caiga. Por eso mi corazón se alegra, y canta con gozo mi lengua; mi cuerpo también vivirá en esperanza. No dejarás que mi vida termine en el sepulcro; no permitirás que tu santo sufra corrupción. Me has dado a conocer los caminos de la vida; me llenarás de alegría en tu presencia.”

Act 2:14-

Peter starts out and answered their charge that the men were drunk. No Jew would eat or drink anything before 9:00 A.M. on a Sabbath or feast day, and it was then the third hour, or 9:00 A.M. They talk about them being drunk because as the spoke everyone heard what they said in their own language. I don’t know about you but, the drunk people I have talked to don’t usually make sense, usually I can’t understand them...

He goes on to quote from the prophet Joel and he says, he this holy spirit, these tongues of fire that came down upon us. That is the power of God. He is telling you how to be saved fulfilling this prophecy in Joel.

Then he goes on in

Acts 2:22–28 NIV

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

The Outline Bible Section Outline Two (Acts 2)

2:22–28

acts 2:22

Peter goes on to say he was put to death by wicked men, including all of them, but that his was God’s plan. It wasn’t something God didn’t see coming. It isn’t something that surprised him. This was deliberate by our loving Father, because we needed a savior.

Acts 2:22–28 NVI

»Pueblo de Israel, escuchen esto: Jesús de Nazaret fue un hombre acreditado por Dios ante ustedes con milagros, señales y prodigios, los cuales realizó Dios entre ustedes por medio de él, como bien lo saben. Éste fue entregado según el determinado propósito y el previo conocimiento de Dios; y por medio de gente malvada, ustedes lo mataron, clavándolo en la cruz. Sin embargo, Dios lo resucitó, librándolo de las angustias de la muerte, porque era imposible que la muerte lo mantuviera bajo su dominio. En efecto, David dijo de él: »“Veía yo al Señor siempre delante de mí, porque él está a mi derecha para que no caiga. Por eso mi corazón se alegra, y canta con gozo mi lengua; mi cuerpo también vivirá en esperanza. No dejarás que mi vida termine en el sepulcro; no permitirás que tu santo sufra corrupción. Me has dado a conocer los caminos de la vida; me llenarás de alegría en tu presencia.”

Acts 2:22–36 NIV

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Peter goes on to say he was put to death by wicked men, including all of them, but that his was God’s plan. It wasn’t something God didn’t see coming. It isn’t something that surprised him. This was deliberate by our loving Father, because we needed a savior.

Acts 2:22-36

It was God’s plan and it was the power of God that raised him from the dead. It was our good father that freed Jesus from the agony of death.

Peter goes on to prove to the

Then he tells us that Centuries ago David in predicted this resurrection. (see ).

answered their charge that the men were drunk. No Jew would eat or drink anything before 9:00 A.M. on a Sabbath or feast day, and it was then the third hour, or 9:00 A.M.

Psalm 16:8–11 NIV

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

He goes on to talk more about David, because they might have been thinking, David is talking about himself

Centuries ago David predicted this (see ).

Acts 2:29–36 NIV

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Acts

acts 2:29-

Acts 2:29–32 NIV

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

Acts 2:29–32 NIV

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

David must have had the Messiah’s resurrection in mind, for he himself died and was buried.

Concerning Jesus’ resurrection (2:29–32): David must have had the Messiah’s resurrection in mind, for he himself died and was buried.

Acts 2:33–36 NIV

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Acts 2:33–36 NVI

Exaltado por el poder de Dios, y habiendo recibido del Padre el Espíritu Santo prometido, ha derramado esto que ustedes ahora ven y oyen. David no subió al cielo, y sin embargo declaró: »“Dijo el Señor a mi Señor: Siéntate a mi derecha, hasta que ponga a tus enemigos por estrado de tus pies.” »Por tanto, sépalo bien todo Israel que a este Jesús, a quien ustedes crucificaron, Dios lo ha hecho Señor y Mesías.»

Concerning Jesus’ resurrection (2:29–32): David must have had the Messiah’s resurrection in mind, for he himself died and was buried.

David never ascended into heaven to sit on his throne, he is referring to Jesus in .

The New International Version (1984) Peter Addresses the Crowd

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Psalm 110:1 NIV

The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

He says to them, This horrible day, this horrible act of Crucifying Jesus, you were involved, you are guilty. Yet God worked this for his glory and he brought Good about from it.

B. Concerning Jesus’ exaltation (2:33–36): Inasmuch as David never ascended into heaven to sit on his throne, he is referring to Jesus in .

He made Jesus Lord and Christ. The real question is he Lord and Christ in our Lives?

Christ derives from Greek Christos, which translates Hebrew Messiah /Savior.

We all love Jesus the Savior, the One who delivers or rescues.

Jesus saves from guilt to righteousness.

Jesus saves from our sin that separates us from God

Jesus saves from slavery to sin to freedom

Jesus saves us from eternal death to eternal life.

Jesus saves us from ourselves.

But the question becomes, is he Lord of your life as well.

One who delivers or rescues.

Jesus is Lord and Savior, he need to be both in our lives.

We can’t have one without the other.

I want you to prayerfully consider is Jesus Lord of your life?

or maybe more importantly what areas is Jesus NOT lord in your life? What areas do you want to hold on to? What areas are off limits to Jesus.

Jesus needs to be Lord of all or he is not Lord at all.

What area is Jesus not lord of for you?

Maybe it’s your romantic relationships. You say God save me from my guilt and save me from my past, but you can’t save me the way I want to be saved in relationships ships so I’ll take care of this.

or Maybe you don’t want Jesus to be lord of your time. You are busy, and who has time for all those extras? We can say Jesus, save me from my guilt and shame, but don’t make me spend time helping other people. It’s my time, its my hobby, it’s my desires and its mine. I shouldn’t have to spend it on others.

Or let me ask it this way. Is Jesus Lord of your forgiveness? What I mean is this, are you letting hurts or disagreements harden your heart so that you will not forgive someone? Are you holding on to that bitterness and saying Jesus, you can be lord of everything, but not this. I don’t trust you in this. I want to hold on to it and no one can make me let it go. Jesus has some pretty strong words about lack of Forgiveness.

Matthew 6:14–15 NIV

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14–15 NVI

»Porque si perdonan a otros sus ofensas, también los perdonará a ustedes su Padre celestial. Pero si no perdonan a otros sus ofensas, tampoco su Padre les perdonará a ustedes las suyas.

I have typically been a person that forgives quickly and really lets stuff go. But man, this last year I had a situation, that someone really hurt me. Now they aren’t here in our church so don’t go trying to figure out who it is. But it was this on going thing. They would say or do something and I’d talk to them, try to work it out and forgive. And that seemed to work well for awhile. But as it happened more and some of the things said or done hooked my pride, I had a harder and harder time letting go and forgiving. Now, I know they weren’t trying to hurt me, I don’t think they have a bad heart. But I was hurt and defensive and offended. I’ve been looking for scriptures that say I can hold on to this hurt and it’s ok to angry because Jesus understands they were being a jerk. I haven’t found one. Because its just not there. I am called by my lord and savior to forgive as Jesus forgave me. He wants us to be forgiving, and he wants us to be forgiven.

I’m working on it, I really am. I’ll be doing good with it and then it pops up in weird ways. I need to make Jesus Lord of it every time it pops up. My salvation depends upon it.

I read that scripture and I’m cut to the heart. The audience in was cut as well, let pick it up in vs 37.

Acts 2:37 NIV

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Acts 2:37 NVI

Cuando oyeron esto, todos se sintieron profundamente conmovidos y les dijeron a Pedro y a los otros apóstoles: —Hermanos, ¿qué debemos hacer?

They heard about Jesus, they heard about their part in crucifying him and they were moved, they knew they needed to do something. So the went to the apostles and said , what do we do, we need help.

Acts 2:38 NIV

Peter replied, “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.

:38

Acts 2:38 NVI

—Arrepiéntase y bautícese cada uno de ustedes en el nombre de Jesucristo para perdón de sus pecados—les contestó Pedro—, y recibirán el don del Espíritu Santo.

Repentance means to Change your mind, not just about an individual plan, but to change from being lord of our own lives to making Jesus lord of all. If was want to believe Jesus is our savior, we need to live in repentance and make him lord of every area. I love how baker talks about repentance.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Repentance

It is inconsistent and unintelligible to suppose that anyone might exercise faith in Christ as the divine Savior from sin who is not aware and repentant of his own sin.

What is he saying? If you say you believe in Jesus you need to know your sin and be repentant. We can’t hold back.

Repeat

Acts 2:21

So peter says repent and be baptized. Just some of you...

Nope every one of you. God wants this for all of us.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Because it will show that you are already saved. Nope for the forgiveness of you sins. Those sins Jesus died for, those sins we want to hold on to, those areas we are really comfortable not letting Jesus be lord of. Those sins that we forgot about, the sins we will commit tomorrow.

God in his grace and his mercy had this amazing plan for you and for me. He wants us to be forgiving, and he wants us to be forgiven. The waters of baptism wash away all our sins, but it doesn’t stop there.

He says we will receive the gift of the holy spirit! Literally God living in us, helping us to repent, helping us to forgive, helping to have power to say no to ungodliness and saying yes to righteousness, power to have peace in the middle of chaos. The power to be raised to a new life in Jesus. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you and me. Simply by repenting and being Baptized into Jesus.

Maybe you look at this and think, yeah but not me. God is done with me, I’ve done too much I can’t be saved. I am too far gone. Let’s read on

Acts 2:39 NIV

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 2:39 NVI

En efecto, la promesa es para ustedes, para sus hijos y para todos los extranjeros, es decir, para todos aquellos a quienes el Señor nuestro Dios quiera llamar.

You are never too far from God to be saved by him. If you are hearing this, online or right here. Jesus is calling you, he is seeking you. He wants to be your Lord and Savior. He doesn’t want you to live in darkness and guilt any longer.

Acts 2:40-41

Acts 2:40–41 NIV

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:40–41 NVI

Y con muchas otras razones les exhortaba insistentemente: —¡Sálvense de esta generación perversa! Así, pues, los que recibieron su mensaje fueron bautizados, y aquel día se unieron a la iglesia unas tres mil personas.

He warned, he pleaded. He knew they needed a savior and a lord and that Jesus offers both! The world is corrupt, this world is evil, look at the hate and the evil around us. Murders, pedofiles, sex trafficking, shootings, war.

We need this message we need a Savior, we also need to accept the message that we need something more than ourselves. It’s amazing the response to this Authentic message.

3000 people accepted what they heard and were baptized into Jesus Christ. Can you imagine the joy the smiles, the wet hugs and just the buzz that must have been in the air.

That plan, promise and that power is still available to us today. We need to simply respond to this message in faith and believe that the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead can resurrect our lives as well.

Now some of you this may be the first time you have heard about baptism for the forgiveness of our sins.

You may say wait a minute doesn’t say something too?

Acts 2:21 NIV

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’” (, NIV)

In God’s righteous and wise plan, this dark and disastrous moment was ordained to be the moment that would fix all the dark and disastrous things that sin had done to the world.

Acts 2:21 NVI

Y todo el que invoque el nombre del Señor será salvo.”

What does that mean? I just call on Jesus and I’m good? I don’t need repentance, I don’t need to forgive, I don’t need to make him Lord. Great sounds good.

We should probably read what it means to call on his name.

Paul as he is explaining his conversion. He is riding on a horse, blinded by a great light and talks to Jesus. That is a religious experience If I’ve ever heard one and he is told. He is told by Ananias, he is going to be a witness to all people and hear words from Jesus. Then Ananias doesn’t waste any time he says.

Acts 22:16 NIV

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Acts 22:16 NVI

Y ahora, ¿qué esperas? Levántate, bautízate y lávate de tus pecados, invocando su nombre.”

We call on the name of Jesus at baptism, saying that we will make Jesus lord of our lives. We are confessing him as lord, that it is no longer us and our desires we will follow, but that we will follow Jesus.

If you have never been baptized in the biblical way I want to encourage you to talk to someone today, the person that invited you or come talk to me. This authentic message is for you. It’s not just for everyone its for you.

The crucifixion of Jesus was horrible.

In God’s righteous and wise plan, this dark and disastrous moment was ordained to be the moment that would fix all the dark and disastrous things that sin had done to the world.

This moment of death was at the same time a moment of life.

This hopeless moment was the moment when eternal hope was given.

This terrible moment of injustice was at the very same time a moment of amazing grace.

This moment of extreme suffering guaranteed that suffering would end one day, once and for all.

This moment of sadness welcomed us to eternal joy of heart and life.

The capture and death of Christ purchased for us life and freedom.

The very worst thing that could happen was at the very same time the very best thing that could happen. Only God is able to do such a thing.

The same God who planned that the worst thing would be the best thing, is your Father.

The same God who planned that the worst thing would be the best thing is your Father. He rules over every moment in your life, and in powerful grace he is able to do for you just what he did in redemptive history. He takes the disasters in your life and makes them tools of redemption. He takes your failure and employs it as a tool of grace. He uses the “death” of the fallen world to motivate you to reach out for life. The hardest things in your life become the sweetest tools of grace in his wise and loving hands.

He rules over every moment in your life, and in powerful grace he is able to do for you just what he did in redemptive history.

The same God who planned that the worst thing would be the best thing is your Father. He rules over every moment in your life, and in powerful grace he is able to do for you just what he did in redemptive history. He takes the disasters in your life and makes them tools of redemption. He takes your failure and employs it as a tool of grace. He uses the “death” of the fallen world to motivate you to reach out for life. The hardest things in your life become the sweetest tools of grace in his wise and loving hands.

He takes the disasters in your life and makes them tools of redemption.

He takes your failure and employs it as a tool of grace.

He uses the “death” of the fallen world to motivate you to reach out for life.

The hardest things in your life become the sweetest tools of grace in his wise and loving hands.

So be careful how you make sense of your life.

What looks like a disaster may in fact be grace.

What looks like the end may be the beginning.

What looks hopeless may be God’s instrument to give you real and lasting hope.

Your Father is committed to taking what seems so bad and turning it into something that is very, very good in Christ Jesus.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Introduction

Peter’s theme at Pentecost is the resurrection. Christ had promised to give Israel a sign—the sign of the prophet Jonah—which is death, burial, and resurrection (Matt. 12:38ff). This was the sign Peter preached. God was now giving Israel another chance to accept the Messiah and be saved.

A. Introduction (vv. 14–21).

Peter first answered their charge that the men were drunk. No Jew would eat or drink anything before 9:00 A.M. on a Sabbath or feast day, and it was then the third hour, or 9:00 A.M. Note that throughout this sermon, Peter addresses Jews only (vv. 14, 22, 29, 36). Pentecost was a Jewish feast, and there were no Gentiles involved. In this sermon, Peter addressed the Jewish nation and proved to them that their Messiah had been raised from the dead. In vv. 16–21, Peter referred the men to (read that passage carefully). He did not say that this was a fulfillment of the prophecy, for Joel’s words will not be fulfilled until the end of the Tribulation when Christ returns to earth. Peter does say that this is that same Spirit spoken of by Joel. Verses 17 and 18 took place at Pentecost, but vv. 19–21 did not, and will not until the end times. Between vv. 18 and 19 would unfold the entire church age.

B. The Explanation (vv. 22–36).

Peter now proved to the Jews that Jesus Christ was alive. He used five very convincing arguments:

(1) Christ’s Person and life demand that He be raised from the dead (22–24). See . He who raised others could not remain dead himself!

(2) predicted the resurrection (vv. 25–31).

(3) The apostles themselves were witnesses and had seen the risen Christ (v. 32).

(4) The coming of the Spirit is proof Jesus is alive (v. 33).

(5) promised His resurrection (vv. 33–35). Keep in mind that Peter was not preaching the Gospel of the cross as we preach it today. He was accusing Israel of a great crime (vv. 23) and warning them that they had rejected and crucified their own Messiah (v. 36). Peter was giving Israel one more opportunity to receive Christ. They had slain John the Baptist and Jesus, but God was now giving them another chance. The resurrection of Christ was the promised “sign of Jonah” that proved He was the Messiah ().

C. The application (vv. 37–40).

The men were convicted and asked Peter for counsel. Peter told them to repent, believe and be baptized; in that way they would be identifying themselves with Jesus as the Christ. This is the same message John the Baptist () and Jesus () preached. To make baptism essential for salvation and the receiving of the Spirit is to deny the experience of the Gentiles in , which is God’s pattern for today. (See the introductory notes on Acts.) The Jews in received the Spirit when they repented and were baptized; the Samaritans in received the Spirit by the laying on of the apostles’ hands; but believers today receive the Spirit when they believe, as did the Gentiles in . There is no salvation in the waters of baptism, for salvation is by faith in Jesus.

Peter stated that the promise of the Spirit was not only for the Jews present in Jerusalem, but also for the Jews scattered abroad (v. 39, see ). This verse cannot refer to Gentiles because the Gentiles did not receive any promises ().

By Steven Chapman

Summary: The message of the gospel from Peter’s Pentacost sermon

Introduction:

KEY STATEMENT: In , we learn a message and method for making him know. We discover what to say when we hear afresh this text. It doesn’t matter how we say it, if we do not know what to say.

QUOTE: Elmer Gantry "When someone says a half-truth as whole-truth it becomes an untruth."

That is what we want … the truth. And presents us with several truths.

1 JESUS CHRIST IS AVAILABLE TO ALL

SCRIPTURE:

Acts 2:21 NIV

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

EXPLANATION: Peter states explicitly that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is effective for all. The only question is will they call on the name of the Lord.

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (2:21).

EXPLANATION: Peter states explicitly that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is effective for all. The only question is will they call on the name of the Lord.

APPLICATION: We have to learn to say to everyone … your welcome. To the neighbor, the fellow worker, the black, the Indian, the women who had the abortion, the drug addict, the homosexual, the AIDS victim.

ILLUSTRATION: I have been to churches were I did not feel welcome. I felt I was welcome to come, I just wasn’t welcome to come back.

PERSONAL ILLUSTRATION: I used to think there was a magical line which I would cross when I would begin to make people feel welcome: 1) when I went to Bible college; 2) when I graduated; 3) when I got my first ministry. But there is no magic line.

ILLUSTRATION: There was a church bordering the low and middle income neighborhood in Chicago. Although the preacher had been there 20 years, he had never been calling in the low income neighborhood.

TRANSITION: You see, we need to tell people they are welcome, not only with words, but in the way that we treat them.

2 JESUS CHRIST DID NOT DIE BY ACCIDENT

SCRIPTURE:

Acts 2:23a NIV

This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

"This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge …" (2:23a)

EXPLANATION: Jesus Christ did not die by accident … God did it.

AMPLIFICATION: You thought it was the Roman soldiers and government … but God did it.

It wasn’t Judas … God did it.

It wasn’t godless men … God did it

It didn’t occur in the heart of the Pharisees … it occurred in the heart of God.

PARALLEL TEXT: "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted." () "Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer ()

Isaiah 53:4 NIV

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:10 NIV

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

Isaiah 53:4 NIV

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

PARALLEL TEXT: "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted." () "Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer ()

EXPLANATION: It was God’s plan, not man’s.

PROBLEM: Our world has trouble seeing God doing that.

EXPLANATION: Jesus wasn’t forced to the cross because he was not accepted in the role he came to fulfill. God had the intent of offering his son to show us the true extent of his acceptance of us.

APPLICATION: This is the message we have for our world. That Jesus Christ would die for us so that we might have a chance for life.

TRANSITION: But he is not dead anymore.

3 JESUS CHRIST IS NOT DEAD ANYMORE

SCRIPTURE: "But God raised him up again …"

Let’s pray.

Acts 2:24 NIV

But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

SCRIPTURE: "But God raised him up again …" (2:24)

AMPLIFICATION: The truth of the resurrection is the crux of the Christian faith. It is upon the resurrection that the reliability of the Christian faith stands or falls.

SPECIFIC INSTANCES: It was the resurrection that caused Frank Morrison to write The Proof Of The Resurrection, instead of his original intention, The Myth of the Resurrection.

- It was the resurrection that brought Josh McDowell to the foot of the cross.

QUOTE: Michael Green, in Man Alive!: Christianity does not hold resurrection to be one among many tenets of faith. Without faith in the resurrection there would not be Christianity at all. The Christian church would never have begun. The Jesus movement would have fizzled out like a damp squib with his crucifixion. Christianity stands or falls with the truth of the resurrection. Once disprove it, and you have disposed of it.

BIBLICAL EVIDENCE: There are a number of items to which the resurrection is given as the proof of:

- Resurrection affirms that Jesus was God’s Son.

- Resurrection provides the grounds for out share in eternal life.

- Resurrection allows Jesus to intercede for us.

- Resurrection determined Paul’s apostleship.

- Resurrection proves the validity of Christianity.

- Hope for the future is rooted in the truth of the resurrection.

STATEMENT: He is risen.

EXPLANATION: That is what the text keeps bringing us back to: vs 24; vs 32; , the whole quote of David.

TRANSITION: He’s risen and we are responsible.

4 JESUS CHRIST CARRIED OUR GUILT

SCRIPTURE : "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him … This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose … and you with the help of wicked men, put him to death …" (2:22-24)

Acts 2:22–24 NIV

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

EXPLANATION: He was rejected.

ILLUSTRATION: Several years ago, a man walked onto the football field of the Baltimore Colts, he had been rejected by everyone else … Johnny Unitas became one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

ILLUSTRATION: Another man was defeated in election after election. But he became President of the United States. The only President from the state of Illinois. Lincoln, rejected, but one of America’s finest.

EXPLANATION: The image of 1 Peter is of Christ as the rejected stone.

SCRIPTURE: "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, who YOU crucified, both Lord and Christ." ()

Acts 2:36 NIV

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

EXPLANATION: We are responsible, just as much as Pilate. Just as much as the Jews 2000 years ago. The one we have rejected, God has made Lord, ruler over the universe.

APPLICATION: We crucified him every time we denied his Lordship over us. We crucified him again every time we … We plant another cross every time we … We drive the nails a little deeper each time we … We are responsible for every time we have placed ourselves and our priorities ahead of God’s.

OBSERVATION: Modern preaching tries to avoid guilt.

EXPLANATION: But nothing we could say could bring more guilt than what Peter said, "Your guilty." And he stopped. He didn’t offer an invitation. He didn’t give them a way out. He just stopped. And he might have begun to walk away. But someone in the crowd cried out, "What do we do? We’re guilty." And Peter tells them to respond.

RESTATEMENT: That is the gospel -- When we come to terms with our own personal guilt and responsibility for putting the Son of God on a cross.

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