Sermon Notes

38 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 recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 WIth many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

God has brought salvation to the Gentiles AND the Jews.

The HS came in a sovereign way as the Word of God was preached. There was the water baptism and the signs of the Spirit for the Gentiles as well.

Paul later found some other believers and said, “How were you baptized?”

“In John’s baptism.”

“Don’t you know that John said, ‘Look for the one coming after me.’?” So he baptized them into Jesus’ name.

Here 3000 were added to the church.

Luke doesn’t give us a clear-cut pattern of when the Holy Spirit is given. BUT water baptism is a public declaration of faith in Jesus and the laying on of hands is the congregation supporting that.

The baptism should be Triune – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

When people were baptized into Jesus, it was “in the name of Jesus.” This denotes the power and authority through which the church carried out its actions.

Acts 3 – Peter and John had gone to the temple at 3pm (the hour of prayer) – there a beggar, lame from birth, lay. He looked up and said, “Gimme.”

Peter looks and says, “Silver and gold I have not, but I’ll give you what I have. Rise up and walk.” He did. People praised God. He had never walked, but here he was leaping for joy.

A preacher once said:

In an affluent church, we can’t say “silver and gold we do not have…”

Another man said, “Yes, and NEITHER can we say ‘Rise up and walk.’”

Where riches increase, don’t depend on those. Where is the power of Christ in the church?

Acts 5 – the apostles/disciples were preaching and doing signs and wonders. People were getting exocised of unclean spirits. Everyone was rejoicing! (Except those super religious people. -They put the disciples in prison – but God released them (broke them out actually.))

Later, the disciples were brought before the Council of Super Holy Dudes and they said to them, “Hey, what are you doing? You’re making us look guilty.” And the disciples said, “Hey man, we have to obey God, not men (i.e. not your super holy rules).”

Whenever, wherever Peter preached the name of Jesus, people were baptized into the name of Jesus.

In baptism, it was customary to make an outward confession of Jesus as Lord/Savior. Acts 8:36-37:

The Ethiopian eunuch had been to Jerusalem and was returning home, reading the Scriptures, and the HS said to Philip, “go join him.” He was reading Isaiah.

• Phil: “Do you understand?”
• E: “How can I? Unless someone explains it to me.”
• Phil: “Check it out. This is all about JESUS…”
• He explained baptism to him as well and the Ethiopian said, “Look, here’s water! Let’s do it!”
• Phil: “OK. If you believe with all your heart.”
• E: “I believe that JC is the Son of God.”
• Phil: Baptizes him then SUDDENLY caught up in the Spirit and taken to another city.

The Ethiopian continued on home.

Acts 16:31 – Philippian jailer. Paul was imprisoned and beaten, there was a great earthquake as Paul and companion praised God.

The earthquake opened all the doors, so the jailer thought “Oh great, there they all go. I’m dead meat.” Paul: “Don’t kill yourself! We’re all here.”

• Jailer: “What must I do to be saved?”
• Paul: “Believe in Jesus and be saved – you and all your house.” So he did and was baptized.

Romans 10:9: If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you’ll be saved. For it is with the mouth you confess, and with your heart you believe.

The Holy Spirit is distinguished from the gifts he brings. The gift of the HS IS the HS. “The Promise (of the HS) is for You.”

Repent and be baptized and you will receive the gift of the HS – the Promise is for you and your children.

How does the Lord call us? Through preaching primarily. The Lord anoints the Word and convicts us and leads us to Him.

Jesus was no longer with the disciples except in his Spirit. The prince of this world had been judged at the cross. Satan was defeated – his head was CRUSHED. (Genesis 3 – the snake would bruise his heel, but the heel would CRUSH his head.)

Jesus triumphed over the spiritual darkness, the principalities and the powers.

A triumph is MORE than a victory.

• Victory = get the spoils, win, etc.
• Triumph = Bring back the spoils invite us in to share it with him.

Long ago, the rulers and peoples of conquered lands were brought back to the winning side’s home for slavery, etc. With Jesus, you’re on the winning side.

“For all who are far off” – physically, or spiritually far off.

The Lord calls us through his Word, through the preaching of His Word. The question: Have you responded? Don’t think: “I’m not worthy.” Actually, NO ONE is worthy.

“Be saved from this perverse/corrupt generation.”

We cannot save ourselves, but we can receive the one who does save us. You’re drowning in the ocean, Jesus throws out the lifeline. Are you going to grab it? Or keep swimming, floundering, drowning?

Andrea Bocelli? At the end of the concert, it was PERFECT. Nothing more could possibly be added.

When Jesus said, “It is finished” it was with that same feeling. Nothing more could possibly be added.

In the OT, when there was a sacrifice, the priest had to examine it for perfection before the sacrifice. If so, “It is perfect.” with the same feeling.

Jesus was perfect, spotless, his work was final, perfect, untouchable.

God is the one who does the work through Jesus. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest.”

Are you assured of your salvation? If your life is demanded of you tonight… Jesus invites you to come and receive.

Eternal salvation is an issue – but those who accepted Peter’s call could also be saved from the destructive war between the Jews and the Romans. Luke 20:21-24 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know it’s destruction is near. Everyone should flee – get out – don’t enter! This is the time of punishment and fulfillment of prophecies. There will be great distress for all people. They will be taken and trampled on by the Gentiles until the Time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.”

When Jesus was crucified, there was a time of fruitfulness. But later the Romans came and laid seige to the city, the people suffered terribly. Yet, those who listened to Jesus were preserved – they were able to flee to another city.

Yes, eternal salvation = primary. If we’ve heard the gospel, we need to respond to it. We all sin, we need to repent, TURN from them.

Scripture: He who hides his sin will suffer. He who turns from his sin will prosper.

Have you been baptized? Some at that time had, but hadn’t received the HS. Have you been baptized in the Spirit? Have you been filled? Have you found leakage? (Water/spirit dripping out).

Paul: Examine yourselves to see if you’re in the faith.

If we are lacking in repentance, repent!

We need the anointing of the Spirit. Even Jesus (the God Man, God in flesh) needed the presence of God the Father and the Spirit to do his ministry effectively.

The gift, the promise is for you. Just ask.

Let’s pray.