SF874 - A Saved People - 3 THE INGREDIENTS OF A CHURCH AFLAME (Acts 2 37 41)
Acts 2:37-41
Introduction
This passage records the conversion of the first Christians. Those saved on the day of Pentecost represent the first believers to come into the church after the death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord. The most important question that any one can ask is asked in verse 37, “Brethren, what shall we do?” How that question is answered determines our eternity. There are many ways this question is being answered.
Ø The legalist says we must work our way to heaven. (James 2:21)
Romans 4:2-3 (NASB) 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Ø The moralist believes that as long as our good deeds out weigh our bad ones we will go to heaven. (John 5:28-29)
Ephesians 2:8-9
Ø The Jews think that salvation is based on race.
Romans 9:6 (NASB) …For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;
Ø The Universalist believes that everyone will go to heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
Ø The ritualist believes that salvation comes through the observance of rituals.
Romans 10:10 (NKJV) 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Thankfully, Simon Peter puts the rest all these false beliefs. He describes for us the process of the new birth.
1A. They were convicted by the Lord (2:37)
1B. The sincerity of their conviction
Ø “Katanusso” means to pierce or to stab.
Ø Speaks of their inability to evade the indictment that they were guilty sinners.
“They had a deep sense of their own guilt…. They had a strong desire to be saved from (God’s) wrath, a willingness to submit to God’s will. Such conviction of sin is a part of every genuine conversion” (MacArthur, Acts 1-12, 72.).
2B. The source of their conviction
“Genuine conviction is produced by the Spirit of God in conjunction with the Word of God” (MacArthur, Acts 1-12, 72.).
Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) 12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit….
2A. They were converted by the Lord (2:38a)
1B. The outward call to repentance
Peter called them to “repent” (metanoeo) literally to a change of mind about sin, self, and God. True repentance is a change of purpose and direction. (1 Thessalonians 1:9)
2B. The inward grace of repentance
Ø True repentance is an essential component in genuine conversion.
Ø True repentance is the result of God’s gracious work of regeneration in the heart of a sinner.
Ø True repentance hates not only the consequences of sin but sin itself.
Ø True repentance and faith are inseparable works of God’s grace.
Ø True repentance forsakes sin and turns in total commitment to Jesus Christ.
3A. There was a Public Confession of the Lord (2:38b)
1B. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward experience
“in the name of Jesus.”
Ø Baptism is an outward demonstration of God’s inward work of grace in our lives.
Ø Baptism identifies us with Christ.
Ø Baptism is like a wedding ring.
2B. Baptism does not in any way save us.
Ø Peter calls on these Jews to prove their repentance by submitting to public baptism in much the same what that Christ called upon the rich young ruler to prove his repentance by selling all he had. (Luke 18:18-27)
Ø The rest of Scripture unmistakably teaches that salvation is solely by faith. (Acts 16:31; Romans 3:21-30)
Galatians 2:16 (NASB) 16nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Ø Throughout Scripture, forgiveness is linked to repentance, not baptism. (Acts 3:19, t:31 26:20)
Ø The preposition “eis” translated “for” here can and is translated “because of” in other places (Luke 11:32).
“The order is clear. Repentance is for forgiveness. Baptism follows that forgiveness; it does not cause it” (MacArthur, Acts 1-12, 75.).
4A. They were controlled by the Lord (2:38c-40)
1B. The saving gift of God (2:38c)
Ø “Dorea” (gift) refers to an free and unmerited gift.
Ø The only condition is repentance, which in it self is a work of God’s grace in our hearts.
Ø When you are saved you receive the Holy Spirit who controls your life
Ø Salvation is not believing something or achieving something it is receiving someone.
2B. The sovereign promise of God (2:39)
Ø This verse speaks of the effectual call of God upon the elect.
3B. The solemn plea from God (2:40)
Ø The gist of the plea is that they should be saved from this sinful generation, through repentance and faith in Christ.
5A. They continued in the Lord (2:41-42a)
Ø Jesus did not call us to make decisions he called us to make disciples.
Ø You can do everything else but if you do not continue in Christ, you are not saved.
1 John 2:19 (NASB) 19They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us.
Ø Salvation is a present experience. Are you trusting Christ as your personal savior.
1 John 5:13 (NKJV) 13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
Ø The Bible never tells us to look back at a past experience but to look to a present reality.
Application
How can you if know you are saved?
Saved people…
Ø Experience a genuine conviction of their sin.
Ø Experience a genuine life-changing conversion that results in true repentance from their sin and faith in Christ.
Ø Express a public confession of their faith through baptism.
Ø Experience the sovereign control of God’s Spirit every day.
Ø Enjoy continued fellowship with the Lord.
A SAVED PEOPLE
The Ingredients of a Church Aflame – Part 3
Acts 2:37-41
Introduction
The legalist says we must work our way to heaven. (James 2:21; Romans 4:2-3) The moralist believes that as long as our good deeds out weigh our bad ones we will go to heaven. (John 5:28-29; Ephesians 2:8-9) The Jews think that salvation is based on race. (Romans 9:6) The Universalist believes that everyone will go to heaven. (Matthew 7:21) The ritualist believes that salvation comes through the observance of rituals. (Romans 10:10)
1A. They were _________________ by the Lord (2:37)
1B. The sincerity of their conviction
2B. The _______________________ of their conviction
Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) 12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit….
2A. They were ________________ by the Lord (2:38a)
1B. The _______________________ call to repentance
2B. The _____________________ grace of repentance
Ø True repentance is an _______________________ component in genuine conversion.
Ø True repentance is the ________ of God’s gracious work of regeneration in the heart of a sinner.
Ø True repentance _______________ not only the consequences of sin but sin itself.
Ø True repentance and faith are inseparable works of God’s grace.
Ø True repentance ________________ sin and turns in total commitment to Jesus Christ.
3A. There was a Public ____________________ of the Lord (2:38b)
1B. Baptism is an outward expression of an _________________ experience
2B. Baptism does not in any way _______________ us.
Ø Peter calls on these Jews to __________________ their repentance by submitting to public baptism in much the same what that Christ called upon the rich young ruler to prove his repentance by selling all he had. (Luke 18:18-27)
Ø The rest of Scripture unmistakably teaches that salvation is ________________________ by faith. (Acts 16:31; Romans 3:21-30; Galatians 2:16))
Ø Throughout Scripture, forgiveness is linked to repentance, not baptism. (Acts 3:19, t:31 26:20)
Ø The preposition “eis” translated “for” here can and is translated “because of” in other places (Luke 11:32).
4A. They were _____________ by the Lord (2:38c-40)
1B. The ______________________ gift of God (2:38c)
Ø “Dorea” (gift) refers to an free and unmerited gift.
2B. The sovereign promise of God (2:39)
3B. The solemn plea from God (2:40)
5A. They ___________________ in the Lord (2:41-42a)
Ø You can do everything else but if you do not continue in Christ, you are not saved. (1 John 2:19)
Ø Salvation is a present experience. Are you trusting Christ as your personal savior. (1 John 5:13)