In a couple week we will be starting a detailed study of 1 Peter, but before that we are doing a basic overview of the life of Simon Peter
Last week we looked at Peter in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John)
We saw his willingness to leave everything behind to follow Jesus
We saw his enthusiasm, which frequently got him in trouble but also led him to great “all in” faith in Jesus
We saw how he trusted in Jesus as the only source of true life and how his tender heart & awareness of his own sin drove him to rely on Jesus’ forgiveness
This week we will start looking at his ministry in the book of Acts
The nickname of “Peter” that Jesus had given him meant rock/stone and implied a strength and stability that Peter didn’t always demonstrate in the Gospels
In the book of Acts something happens that empowers Peter to be a strong leader of Jesus’ church – the arrival of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost
More than once, Jesus had promised his followers that the Holy Spirit would come upon them to indwell and empower them for ministry (e.g. John 14, 16)
Acts 1:4-5 – he instructed them to not even begin widespread ministry until he had sent the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:6-8 – The last thing he said to them before returning to heaven was to redirect their focus away from the timing of his glorious kingdom & toward their mission
Jesus has taught about his return and establishment of his kingdom, but having a constant fixation on “it must be almost time!” was not his intent
The focus of Jesus’ followers must be worldwide Spirit-empowered witness
Unfortunately, we Baptists sometimes neglect the Holy Spirit because we don’t want to have anything to do with the out-of-control and unscriptural behavior practiced in some churches
The fact that some people misinterpret and misuse the Bible’s teachings about the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14) should not cause us to overreact in the opposite direction
The things related in this chapter are the foundation of who we are as a church (or at least who we should be)
This is the birth of the church!
This shows us what kinds of things God accomplishes through his people as they rely on the Holy Spirit.
(1-13) The arrival of the Holy Spirit
(1-4) Fire and wind
Normally, we can’t perceive spirits with our physical senses, but because this is the beginning of a new phase in God’s plan, he makes his presence and power very evident at the beginning
The place where the 120 Believers are gathered is filled with the sound of powerful rushing wind
cf. God speaks to Job from the whirlwind (Job 38:1)
Spirit, breath, and wind are the same word in both Greek and Hebrew
Above each of the Believers there appears something that looks like flames
God’s power and glorious presence in the OT is often accompanied by flames
E.g. the burning bush, the pillar of fire, Elijah’s fire from heaven and flaming chariot, Isaiah’s flaming angels (seraphim), the river of fire flowing from the flaming chariot-throne of God in Daniel’s vision of heaven, etc.
And now…supernatural flames resting upon each individual Believer… the presence and power of God has come as Jesus promised
1 Corinthians 12:13 (et al) makes it clear that this indwelling, empowering presence that unites us in one body is now true of all who trust Christ as Savior
Suddenly the Holy Spirit gives them the ability to speak in foreign languages that they never knew before, and apparently, they rush out into the streets to use this new gift
Jesus told them to wait until the Holy Spirit came and then be his witnesses
The moment he comes they are out the door witnessing
(5-13) They witness to Jews from all over the known world in their native languages
(5-11) Almost everyone in the Roman Empire spoke Greek as a trade language, and most Jewish people would have spoken some Aramaic and/or Hebrew, but most places in the empire also had their own native languages
The places and ethnicities listed cover almost every non-Greek-speaking place in the Roman Empire that had significant Jewish populations
When you know more than one language, hearing something in your “heart language” (the one you first learned to speak – the one in which you think) tends to have a greater impact on you
God enables these first Believers to share his mighty works in the heart languages of everyone present
This is really strange to the hearers, because the Believers are mostly Galileans… and everyone knew that Galileans were uneducated hicks
(12-13) All the people that hear them are confused about what is going on
Some realize that something of great significance is happening…they are asking not just “what is going on?” but “why is this happening?”
Some just assume the Believers are drunk
When we live in a way that is guided by the Holy Spirit people will notice
The Spirit’s work will be more in the form of boldness & fruit (Galatians 5:13-26)
It will provide opportunities to share why we are the way we are
(14-40) Peter’s sermon
(14-21) Peter explains what is going on
Peter, who not quite two months ago fearfully denied even knowing Jesus is filled with boldness and power and stands up with the other 11 apostles (Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias), acting as spokesman for the group
(14-15) He points out that they are not drunk…it’s only 9:00AM (not to mention that drunk people can’t spontaneously speak foreign languages they have never studied)
(16-21) He explains what is happening by referring to Joel 2:28-32
Prophecy: there will be a miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit before “the great and glorious day of the Lord” (judgment day) and salvation for all who turn to him
This is the Spirit that has just been poured out at Pentecost
Unclear whether Peter means this is the first step in fulfilling the prophecy or just a similar outpouring of the same Spirit
Either way, the Holy Spirit has come with confirming miracles, new revelation from God, and an escape from judgment for all who call upon the Lord
He goes on to explain what calling upon the Lord means
(22-36) Jesus is Lord & Christ (Messiah, long-awaited Savior)
(22-24) A summary of Jesus’ ministry
God Demonstrated who he was through miracles
They rejected this witness and had him killed
This was ultimately God’s plan! (cf. Isaiah 53)
Other Scriptures emphasize how His death paid the penalty for our sin (e.g. 2 Corinthians 5:21)
God raised Him from the dead and death is powerless against Him
Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy
(25-28) Psalm 16:8-11 foretells the resurrection
(29-32) It’s clearly not David’s resurrection…he’s still dead
Jesus’ resurrection (of which the 12 are eyewitnesses) shows that he is The Holy One spoken of by David… He is the long-awaited Messianic Son of David
(33-36) Jesus is Lord
Jesus is not only raised from the dead, but is sitting in glory and power with God the Father and Jesus is the one that sent the Holy Spirit just as was promised
In Psalm 110:1 David speaks of his Lord sitting at the right hand of God until all enemies are defeated…clearly, David is not speaking of Himself but of Jesus
The resurrection and coming of the Holy Spirit are clear signs that Jesus is Christ and Lord
Where did this Peter come from?
He preaches boldly about Jesus even though his message will offend some, he quotes Scripture and skillfully explains its significance to thousands of eager listeners
This is Peter allowing God the Holy Spirit to share the Word through him…and the same Holy Spirit is at work in the hearts of his listeners bringing conviction
(37-40) Repent!
(37) The people hearing this are heavily convicted
This conviction is a work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11)
They are horrified to realize that they had a hand in killing the very one for whom they had been waiting for centuries
…they ask the Apostles what they need to do
This is a question that each person needs to face because it was our sins that caused Jesus’ suffering on the cross (1 Peter 2:24)
(38-40) The answer: repentance
Repentance: to turn around/change your course/change your way of thinking
In this case, turn away from sin and turn to Jesus in faith
Trust him to provide forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit because he is the promised Savior and the Lord himself
Peter also commands that they be baptized:
This is an outward testimony of the inner saving faith…the baptism does not bring about salvation, it is something done because of salvation
Be baptized as a public declaration of your faith and commitment to Jesus
This promise is for all people who respond in faith as God works in their heart
(40) Summary of the rest of the sermon: Save yourself from the judgment that comes upon the wicked…call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
(41-47) The results
(41) The immediate result of the sermon: about 3,000 people believe
They publicly declare their belief and commitment through baptism, and become part of the group of Believers
God promises that his Word will accomplish his will (cf. Isaiah 55:10-11)
The results of sharing the Word of God are not always the same, but our responsibility is to be courageous in sharing it to the best of our ability and leave the results to Him
cf. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God makes it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
(42-47) The Believers (now the church) live and worship in unity and fellowship
(42) Their lives centered around their relationship with God and each other and this showed in the things they prioritized
Teachings of the apostles
Today, we have those teachings in the Bible…saturate your life with it
The Holy Spirit guides us through helping us understand and apply God’s Word (e.g. John 17:13-17, 1 Corinthians 2)
Fellowship & breaking bread
Fellowship: Sharing/participating in life together – Christians should be more than acquaintances who share a common set of beliefs
This includes spending time together in a church setting and in daily life for encouragement & opportunities to sever in love (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Breaking bread can refer to both sharing a meal and communion
Prayer
Throughout the book of Acts you see the church praying together constantly
For strength and help in the work of the church (4:24-30), for encouragement of individuals who are suffering (12:12), for guidance in decisions (13:1-2), praise for what is happening (5:41)
(43-46) These priorities affect how they live
(43) God authenticates this new phase of his plan through miracles done by the apostles – that same power is still at work within us (even if it is usually in quieter ways)
(45-46) They generously take care of each other
…to the point where they don’t even consider their possessions to be their own
These believers would rather help others than have extra comforts/possessions
The true mark of a follower of Jesus is love for fellow believers (cf. John 13:35)
(47) there is a spirit of joy, thankfulness, and family love and fellowship that causes everyone to look on them favorably
They spend time together in public worship & friendly hospitality
People should look at the church and go “Wow! Look how much they love and take care of each other. I want to be part of that.”
Conclusion: The same Holy Spirit is still at work
If he is convicting you of your need to trust in Jesus to save you or publicly declare your faith through baptism, do it!
When he gives you an opportunity to share the Gospel or serve him in some other way, take it!
Since he has united us in Christ, share life with your fellow Believers
In church (serving, worshiping, learning)
Throughout the week (encouragement hospitality, generosity, prayer)
Let your actions be motivated by the fruit of the Spirit in boldness, holiness, love, and unity
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