How to Handle a 3,000 Soul Revival

Apostles preached the gospel

Acts 2:41–42 NKJV

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Hebrews 6:1–3 NKJV

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

The final miracle of the day of Pentecost was the birth of the church. The result.

Luke characterizes it quantitatively and qualitatively.

When the day was over 3,120 had received the HS and

It was God’s doing

During the First Jewish–Roman War (66–73 CE), the population of Jerusalem was estimated at 600,000 persons by Roman historian Tacitus, while Josephus estimated that there were as many as 1,100,000 who were killed in the war. Josephus also wrote that 97,000 Jews were sold as slaves - (Wikipedia)

Qualitatively, the new believers made four commitments: to learn, to care, to fellowship, and to worship.

The new believers, who had been Spirit-filled on the Day of Pentecost, continued in a new and radically altered lifestyle. (ASB)

Acts 2:42 NKJV

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1. Basic Doctrine (To learn)

Devotion to the apostles’ teaching probably included

learning an account of Jesus’ life and ministry,

a collection of his ethical and practical teachings,

the Christocentric Old Testament hermeneutic,

and above all, Jesus’ gospel.

They had an objective basis for the subjective experience of being together. What had happened was thoroughly rooted in Scripture.

2. Fellowship - (To Fellowship)

They developed community with other believers.

The New American Commentary: Acts 9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47)

“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.

3. Breaking of bread - (To Care)

The Lord’s Supper - Communion

Love Feast (Agape meal together)

4. Prayers - (Worship)

Acts 2:46–47 NKJV

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

People were attracted to their joy and wanted to know the source of it.

Evangelism was not based on elaborate handbooks or slick brochures.

People wanted to be with those contagious, praising Christians and have what the Spirit had given them.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 28: Acts The Miracle of the Church

People were attracted to their joy and wanted to know the source of it. Evangelism was not based on elaborate handbooks or slick brochures. People wanted to be with those contagious, praising Christians and have what the Spirit had given them.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 28: Acts The Miracle of the Church

how far we have drifted from the infant church on that Pentecost night

1st century Judea[edit]

During the First Jewish–Roman War (66–73 CE), the population of Jerusalem was estimated at 600,000 persons by Roman historian Tacitus, while Josephus estimated that there were as many as 1,100,000 who were killed in the war.[6] Josephus also wrote that 97,000 Jews were sold as slaves. After the Roman victory over the Jews, as many as 115,880 dead bodies were carried out through one gate between the months of Nisan and Tammuz.[7]

Jerusalem's population during the final Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 (CE) has been variously estimated to be around 70,398 by Wilkinson in 1974,[8] 80,000 by Broshi in 1978,[9] and 60,000–70,000 by Levine in 2002.[10] According to Josephus, the populations of adult male scholarly sects were as follows: over 6,000 Pharisees, more than 4,000 Essenes and "a few" Sadducees.[11][12] New Testament scholar Cousland notes that "recent estimates of the population of Jerusalem suggest something in the neighbourhood of a hundred thousand".[13] A minimalist view is taken by Hillel Geva, who estimates from archaeological evidence that the population of Jerusalem before its 70 CE destruction was at most 20,000.[14]