Pastor's Sermon Notes: The First Baptist Church of Jerusalem (Acts 2:42-47)

The First Baptist Church of Jerusalem

Acts 2:42-47

⁴² And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common; ⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. ⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, ⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Introduction:

Reminder:  Title(s) of Acts? 

            The Acts of the Ascended Christ through the Holy Spirit by His Apostles

Key verse:  1:8

Turning point:  Ch. 2

Significant event:  The Birth of the Church (Acts 2:37-47)

Outline:

I.  The Starting Marks of the Church (2:42)

II.  The Significant Testimony of the Church (2:43)

III.  The Sweet Love of the Church (2:44-47b)

IV.  The Supernatural Growth of the Church (2:47c)

Transition:   Verse 41 should really be included as leading directly into this concluding paragraph, and identifying who the pronoun “they” refers to in verse 42.  We must sort out in this historical narrative what is directly applicable throughout the Church age versus what is of necessity indirectly applicable.  2 Tim. 3:16-17.

I.  The Starting Marks of the Church (2:42)

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

1.  The Steadfast Nature of their Perseverance

2.  The Fourfold Focus of their Union

Other marks will be added soon, but these get the Church off the “starting blocks”.

The “9 Marks” [1] of the Church that develop during this transitional period are:

1.      Preaching

2.      Conversion

3.      Discipline

4.      Biblical Theology

5.      Evangelism

6.      Discipleship

7.      The Gospel

8.      Membership

9.      Leadership

1.  The Steadfast Nature of their Perseverance

          And they continued stedfastly [2]

            All modern translations seem to agree on rendering this usage with the English       verb “to devote”, but then part company on the second usage in verse 46.

2.  The Fourfold Focus of their Union

          in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,

          and in breaking of bread, and in prayers

1)  The Apostles’ Doctrine - The Primacy of Preaching

2)  Fellowship - The Necessity of Communion

3)  Breaking of Bread - The Celebration of Christ

4)  Prayers - The Dependence upon God

II.  The Significant Testimony of the Church (2:43)

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

1.  The Universal Effect

2.  The Apostolic Miracles

1.  The Universal Effect

          And fear came upon every soul

            This is the beginning of wisdom.

Ps. 111:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Pr. 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Pr. 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

2.  The Apostolic Miracles

          and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles

                        Do not miss the fact that these are singled out as apostolic in their origin!

Acts 5:12-16 - ¹² And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. ¹³ And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. ¹⁴ And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) ¹⁵ Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. ¹⁶  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

III.  The Sweet Love of the Church (2:44-47b)

⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favour with all the people.

1.  The Practical Communion of the Saints (2:44-45)

2.  The Joyful Unity of the Saints (2:46)

3.  The Impressive Testimony of the Saints (2:47a-b)

1.  The Practical Communion of the Saints (2:44-45)

⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

            This is not “christian communism”! [3]

            This was voluntary!

            This was not absolute! (2:46 - “…breaking bread from house to house…”)

Acts 4:32-37 - ³² And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. ³³ And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, ³⁵ And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. ³⁶ And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, ³⁷ Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

2.  The Joyful Unity of the Saints (2:46)

And they, continuing [4] daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

3.  The Impressive Testimony of the Saints (2:47a-b)

Praising God, and having favour with all the people.

IV.  The Supernatural Growth of the Church (2:47c)

And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

1.  The Sovereignty of God in the Growth of the Church

2.  The Regeneration by the Spirit for the Growth of the Church

1.  The Sovereignty of God in the Growth of the Church

          And the Lord added to the church daily

            1 Cor. 3:5-9       

2.  The Regeneration by the Spirit for the Growth of the Church

          such as should be saved

Conclusion:

What should we take away from this historical narrative by way of doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that we may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works?

What about those who call for us to “return to the primitive Church”?

What about those who minimize the “marks of the Church”?

How can we be more Scriptural in what we do at Wayside Gospel Chapel?

[Sermon preached 28 JUL 2013 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Notes:

[1]  “What are the 9 Marks? The nine marks of a healthy church” on 9Marks at http://www.9marks.org/what-are-the-9marks/ [accessed 28 JUL 2013].

[2]  Present Active Participle of προσκαρτερέω.  Cp. 2:46.

[3]  See D. L. Mealand, “Community of Goods and Utopian Allusions in Acts II-IV”, Journal of Theological Studies 28 (1977), pp. 96-99; cited by I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint), pg. 89, note 26; et al.

[4] Present Active Participle of προσκαρτερέω.  Cp. 2:42.

Resources:

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007)

                                                  

F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

D. L. Mealand, “Community of Goods and Utopian Allusions in Acts II-IV”, Journal of Theological Studies 28 (1977), pp. 96-99.

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

Pastor's Sermon Notes: The First Apostolic Sermon (Acts 2:5-41)

The First Apostolic Sermon

Acts 2:5-41

⁵ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. ⁶ Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? ⁸ And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? ⁹ Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, ¹⁰  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

 ¹² And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? ¹³  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

¹⁴ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: ¹⁵ For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; ¹⁷ And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸ And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: ¹⁹ And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

 ²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: ²¹ And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ²² Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: ²³ Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ²⁴ Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁵ For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶ Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷ Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸ Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. ²⁹ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. ³⁰ Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹ He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

 ³² This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³ Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

 ³⁴ For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵ Until I make thy foes thy footstool. ³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 ³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ⁴⁰ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. ⁴¹ Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Introduction:

Reminder:  Title(s) of Acts? 

            The Acts of the Ascended Christ through the Holy Spirit by His Apostles

Review the last sermon on 2:1-4

I.  The Special Setting  (2:1)

II.  The Sudden Sound  (2:2)

III.  The Supernatural Sight  (2:3)

IV.  The Spiritual Speech  (2:4)

Overview/Introduction of Chapter 2:

Significance, Uniqueness, and Character:

Harnack, "the pivot-book of the New Testament"

Luke/Acts = apx. 1/4 of the NT

1.  Acts as History - continuation of the Gospel - communicated and spread to the world [note 1]

2.  Acts as Transitional - unique Apostolic foundational period of the Church

3.  Acts as Apologetic - Christianity in the Roman Empire [note 2]

4.  Acts as Polemic - Christianity versus Judaism

Key verse:  1:8

Turning points:  Chs. 2, 7, 9, 13, 15, 21 (central turning point = ch. 13?)

Significant Speeches/Sermons:  Acts 2:14-40 - Peter to the Jews at Jerusalem

Significant events:

The Birth of the Church (Acts 2:37-47)

The Pentecosts:  Apostolic Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4; but cp. 2:37-41)

Trail of Christ:  (Mk. 16:20) 2:33, 47.

Trail of the Spirit: Chs. 2:4, 17, 18, 33, 38.

Trail of the Kingdom: 1:3 (cp. 1:6!!!); 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31.

Trail of Geography:  The center shifts from Jerusalem to Syrian Antioch to Rome.

Significant personages and peoples:  Peter, then Paul

Major Problems or Issues: 

            Peter's intent in citing Joel 2:28-32 in Acts 2:16-21.

The expression of God's absolute sovereignty and Israel's absolute responsibility in the murder of the Son of God in 2:23.

            The initiation of the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant in 2:25-36 in the citations            and exposition of Ps. 16:8-11 and Ps. 110:1.

The nature of the "salvation" referred to in 2:37-41 in Peter's counsel given in response to their reaction to the message of his sermon.

Patterns:

1.  miracles → witness

2.  preaching to the Jews → Gospel rejected by the Jews → preaching to the Gentiles

3.  Jewish opposition to the Gospel and persecution of the Christians → the spread of the Christians and the Gospel

Significant Speeches/Sermons: 10 total - 3 by Peter, 1 by Stephen, 6 by Paul - 3 during missionary journeys, and 3 during arrest and trial;

= almost ¼ of the content of Acts - 218 verses = 22% of the 1,007 verses in the 28 chapters in Acts

Outline:

I.  The Occasion for the First Apostolic Sermon: The Understandable Response to the Supernatural Tongues (2:5-13)

II.  The Essence of the First Apostolic Sermon:  The Scriptural Witness to the Ascended Christ (2:14-36)

III.  The Response to the First Apostolic Sermon: The Repentant Reception of the Preached Word (2:37-41)

I.  The Occasion for the First Apostolic Sermon: The Understandable Response to the Supernatural Tongues (2:5-13)

⁵ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. ⁶ Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? ⁸ And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? ⁹ Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, ¹⁰  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

 ¹² And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? ¹³  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Tongues is the surface issue, and gets the immediate focus.

1.  The Identity of the Audience (2:5, 9-11a)

⁵ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven…. ⁹ Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, ¹⁰  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretes and Arabians.…

2.  The Impact on the Entire Audience (2:6-12)

          1)  confounded (2:6)

          2)  amazed and marvelled (2:7)

          3)  amazed…in doubt (2:12)

3.  The Mockery of Some in the Audience (2:13)

Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

This accusation is the best that unbelief can do!  The natural man flatly contradicts what his ears hear (2:11), and is satisfied with such a dismissal.  To do otherwise would be to face up to the reality of the inexplicable, indeed, the supernatural.  Grasping at such unrealistic straws that are so easily refuted as Peter will now do, does not disturb the unregenerate mind or heart.

Transition:  The Holy Spirit as the source of the tongues does not, however, get the focus in the response by Peter.  The Holy Spirit enables the Apostles starting with Peter to be witnesses, not to the Holy Spirit, but to the Resurrection and Ascension of the Crucified One, the enthroned Lord Jesus Christ.

II.  The Essence of the First Apostolic Sermon:  The Scriptural Witness to the Ascended Christ (2:14-36)

¹⁴ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: ¹⁵ For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; ¹⁷ And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸ And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: ¹⁹ And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

 ²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: ²¹ And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ²² Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: ²³ Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ²⁴ Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁵ For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶ Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷ Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸ Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. ²⁹ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. ³⁰ Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹ He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

 ³² This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³ Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

 ³⁴ For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵ Until I make thy foes thy footstool. ³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

The Pattern for the “Standard Expository Sermon”: 3 points and a poem! 

No poem?  What is Psalm 16?  What is Psalm 110?

Are you really sure Peter didn’t include a poem in his “many other words” (2:40)?

Okay, we can agree to disagree about the “poem”, but the three points Peter develops should be beyond dispute.  Notice the three citations from the Scriptures as they are introduced by similar phrases:

1)  Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words (2:14)…Joel 2:28-32.

2)  Ye men of Israel, hear these words (2:22)…Psalm 16:8-11.

3)  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you (2:29)…Psalm 110:1.

What does this sermon do?

We often say, and rightly so, get them to the foot of the Cross!

However, having done so, have we gone far enough.

No!  We must take them then to the empty Tomb. Even then we are not finished.  The final stage of our pilgrim pathway must terminate at the Throne!

That is precisely what Peter does by the Holy Spirit in this sermon. Where is his audience as he begins? Where are they when he concludes? What are they saying prior to Peter beginning to speak? What are they saying in response to the sermon? 

How did he get them from point A to point B?

1.  Responding to the Presenting Problem with a Prophet (2:14-21)

¹⁴ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: ¹⁵ For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; ¹⁷ And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸ And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: ¹⁹ And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:  ²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: ²¹ And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2.  Confronting Sin with the Power of God in a Psalm (2:22-28)

²² Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: ²³ Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ²⁴ Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ²⁵ For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶ Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: ²⁷ Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸ Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

3.  Moving to the Conclusion with the Patriarch’s Prophetic Psalm (2:29-36)

²⁹ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. ³⁰ Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ³¹ He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

 ³² This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³ Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.  ³⁴ For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵ Until I make thy foes thy footstool. ³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

III.  The Response to the First Apostolic Sermon:  The Repentant Reception of the Preached Word (2:37-41)

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 ³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ⁴⁰ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. ⁴¹ Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

1.  The Conviction of Sin by the Spirit of God (2:37)

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

2.  The Response of Faith to the Call of God (2:38-39)

³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

3.  The Unique Counsel from the Word of God (2:40) 

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

4.  The Obedient Reception with the People of God (2:41)

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Conclusion:

The Pattern of our Witness:

1.  Where should it begin?

2.  Where should it end?

3.  What should it focus on?

4.  How should we expect others to respond?

Footnotes:

[1]  Historical naratives encompass apx. 60% of Scripture.  On interpreting historical narratives see Robert L. Plummer, 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible, series ed. Benjamin L. Merkle (Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic & Professional, 2010), pp. 191-196.

[2]  See esp. James Ironside Still, St. Paul on Trial (London: Student Christian Movement, 1923), F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977), pp. 357-358; and A. J. Mattill, Jr., "The Purpose of Acts: Schneckenburger reconsidered", in Apostolic History and the Gospel: Biblical and Historical Essays presented to F. F. Bruce on his 60th Birthday, ed. W. Ward Gasque and Ralph P. Martin (Exeter: The Paternoster Press, 1970), pp. 108-122; on Biblical Studies at http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article_purposeofacts_mattill.html [accessed 7 FEB 2013].

[Sermon preached 14 JUL 2013 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Resources:

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007)

                                                  

Darrell L. Bock, "The Reign of the Lord Christ", in Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church: The Search for Definition, Craig A. Blaising, and Darrell L. Bock, eds. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992), pp. 37-67.

F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

F. F. Bruce, The Defense of the Gospel in the New Testament, rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1959, 1977), pp. 14-69, s.v. chs. 3-5.

F.F. Bruce, The Speeches in the Acts of the Apostles (London: The Tyndale Press, 1942). 

Note: This was delivered as The Tyndale New Testament Lecture 19 DEC 1942 at a Conference of graduate and theological student members of the Inter-Varsity Fellowship in Wadham College, Oxford.  Available as a free PDF on Biblical Studies at http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/speeches_bruce.pdf [accessed 8 FEB 2013].

F. F. Bruce, “The Speeches In Acts―Thirty Years After,” Robert Banks, ed., Reconciliation and

Hope. New Testament Essays on Atonement and Eschatology Presented to L.L. Morris on his 60th

Birthday (Carlisle: The Paternoster Press, 1974), pp. 53-68; PDF on Biblical Studies at http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/rh/acts_bruce.pdf [accessed 8 FEB 2013].

William L. Lane, "The Speeches of the Book of Acts", in Jerusalem and Athens: Critical Discussions on the Philosophy and Apologetics of Cornelius Van Til, ed. E. R. Geehan (Phillipsburg, NJ:  Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1971), pp. 260-272, Ch. XIII, notes on pp. 473-477.

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

H. N. Ridderbos, The Speeches of Peter in the Acts of the Apostles: The Tyndale New Testament Lecture, 1961 (London: Tyndale Press, 1961); on Biblical Studies at http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/speeches_ridderbos.pdf [accessed 8 FEB 2013].

Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-4

¹ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

 ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

 ³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

 ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Introduction:

3 days that changed history a century and a half ago: the battle at Gettysburg, July 2-4, 1863, and the end of the bitter seige of Vicksburg the following day in the West, bringing Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant to prominence, and ending the celebration of the 4th of July in Vicksburg for a generation. 

"The Battle of Gettysburg was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania between Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War. The battle involved the largest number of casualties of the entire war and is often described as the war's turning point."

"The two armies suffered between 46,000 and 51,000 casualties. Union casualties were 23,055 (3,155 killed, 14,531 wounded, 5,369 captured or missing),while Confederate casualties are more difficult to estimate. Many authors have referred to as many as 28,000 Confederate casualties, and Busey and Martin's more recent 2005 work, Regimental Strengths and Losses at Gettysburg, documents 23,231 (4,708 killed, 12,693 wounded, 5,830 captured or missing). Nearly a third of Lee's general officers were killed, wounded, or captured. The casualties for both sides during the entire campaign were 57,225."

Commanders and leaders
George G. Meade  John F. Reynolds†	Robert E. Lee
Strength
93,921	71,699
Casualties and losses
23,055 (3,155 killed  14,531 wounded  5,369 captured/missing)	23,231 (4,708 killed  12,693 wounded  5,830 captured/missing)

Source: Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gettysburg [accessed 2 JUL 2013].

"The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863) was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the American Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennesseecrossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate army of Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

When two major assaults (May 19 and May 22, 1863) against the Confederate fortifications were repulsed with heavy casualties, Grant decided to besiege the city beginning on May 25. With no reinforcement, supplies nearly gone, and after holding out for more than forty days, the garrison finally surrendered on July 4. This action (combined with the capitulation of Port Hudson on July 9) yielded command of the Mississippi River to the Union forces, who would hold it for the rest of the conflict.

The Confederate surrender following the siege at Vicksburg is sometimes considered, when combined with Gen. Robert E. Lee's defeat at Gettysburg the previous day, the turning point of the war. It also cut off communication with Confederate forces in the Trans-Mississippi Department for the remainder of the war."

"Union casualties for the battle and siege of Vicksburg were 4,835; Confederate were 32,697 (29,495 surrendered). The full campaign, since March 29, claimed 10,142 Union and 9,091 Confederate killed and wounded. In addition to his surrendered men, Pemberton turned over to Grant 172 cannons and 50,000 rifles."

Commanders and leaders
Ulysses S. Grant	John C. Pemberton (POW)
Units involved
Army of the Tennessee	Army of Vicksburg
Strength
77,000[3]	~33,000
Casualties and losses
4,835 total	3,202 killed or wounded 29,495 surrendered

Source: Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Vicksburg [accessed 2 JUL 2013]. 

There were more words (273) in the Gettysburg Address by Lincoln than there were people in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost!  Those few, those unknown and fearful few, a mere 120 souls, would be led by their Commander, Jesus Christ, against all the hosts of hell and into an evil world full of sin and hate, and the world would never be the same.  The very gates of hell could not resist the force that their Commander unleashed that day!  What took place in that Upper Room in a moment of time would shake the world and alter the course of human history more than the greatest two minute speech ever made by man.  When the world speaks of "turning points" they have a very prejudiced view of world history.  Whether it is Abraham and an army of 318 hired servants against the hosts of four kings' armies, Gideon and his 300 against the Midainite horde, David against Goliath, Elijah against all the prophets of Baal, one thing is for sure.  It is "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." (Zech 4:6)

Outline:

I.  The Special Setting  (2:1)

II.  The Sudden Sound  (2:2)

III.  The Supernatural Sight  (2:3)

IV.  The Spiritual Speech  (2:4)

Transition:   The four verses present us with almost poetic couplets in each case, no single element of which describes what happened in and of itself.  In six interconnected terms of these couplets an intricate tapestry is woven in which the emphases may be observed.

¹ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,

            they were all with one accord in one place.

 ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,

            and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

 ³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,

            and it sat upon each of them.

 ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,

            and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

  

I.  The Special Setting  (2:1)

¹ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,

they were all with one accord in one place.

The significance of the Day of Pentecost (and the feasts in general)

Ex. 23:16; 34:22; Le. 23:15–21; Nu. 28:16–31; De. 16:9–12

The first of the four unique aspects of this event: "they were all with one accord"

Gathered together in a corporate unity

Note the connection between this element and the others in the terms for "all"

Note the connection between the 1st and 4th elements in the terms for "full"

Ezek. 37:25-28 - ²⁵ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. ²⁶ A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. ²⁸ And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Transition:  "Sight and Sound" follows!  http://www.sight-sound.com/WebSite/home.do

II.  The Sudden Sound  (2:2)

² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

The second of the unique aspects of this event: "rushing mighty wind"

Note the connection between the 2nd and the 4th elements in the terms for "full", "sound", and "wind"

Note the connection between the 2nd and 3rd elements in the terms for "sit"

Jn. 3:1-8 - ¹  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: ² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. ³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ⁸ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

  

III.  The Supernatural Sight  (2:3)

³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,

and it sat upon each of them.

The third unique aspect of this event: "tongues like as of fire"

Compare the Baptism of Christ - Mt. 3:11-17 (Mk. 1:7-11; Lk. 3:16-22; Acts 1:22)

Jn. 14:16-17, 25-26 - ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.... ²⁵ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. ²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Jn. 16:7-15 - ⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: ⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me; ¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; ¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. ¹² I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

IV.  The Spiritual Speech  (2:4)

⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,

and began to speak with other tongues,

as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The fourth unique aspect of this event: "other tongues"

What took place here has been referred to as the baptism of the Holy Spirit

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is to be distinguished from The Filling with the Holy Spirit

The other "Pentecosts" in Acts: Samaritan (8:1-24), Gentile (10:24-48), and disciples of John (19:1-7)

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is properly termed the Baptism of Christ with the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:4-5, 8

Tongues - their temporary nature and purpose

The Sovereignty of the Spirit

2 Cor. 3:1-8, 17-18 - ¹ Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? ² Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: ³ Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. ⁴ And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: ⁵ Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; ⁶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. ⁷ But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: ⁸ How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?....¹⁷ Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Verse	Full	All	Sound	Wind/Spirit	Sit
2:1 Eng.	when the day of Pentecost was fully come	they were all with one accord in one place
Greek	συμπληροῦσθαι	ἅπαντες
2:2 Eng.	it filled	all the house	suddenly there came a sound from heaven	as of a rushing mighty wind	where they were sitting
Greek	ἐπλήρωσεν	ὅλον	ἄφνω	πνοῆς βιαίας	καθήμενοι
2:3 Eng.		each of them	there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire		it sat upon
Greek		ἕνα ἕκαστον αὐτῶν	διαμεριζόμεναι γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ πυρός		ἐκάθισέν
2:4 Eng.	they were all filled with the Holy Ghost	they were all filled with the Holy Ghost	began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance	the Holy Ghost... the Spirit
Greek	ἐπλήσθησαν	ἅπαντες	λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γλώσσαις... ἀποφθέγγεσθαι	πνεύματος ἁγίου... τὸ πνεῦμα

Simple sentences underlined:

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The day was come.

They were with one accord.

There came a sound.

It filled the house.

There appeared tongues.

It sat upon them.

They were filled.

They began to speak.

Conclusion:

1 Cor. 10:1-4 - ¹ Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; ² And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ³ And did all eat the same spiritual meat; ⁴ And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

1 Cor. 12:13 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

I.  The Special Setting  (2:1)

II.  The Sudden Sound  (2:2)

III.  The Supernatural Sight  (2:3)

IV.  The Spiritual Speech  (2:4)

The first of the four unique aspects of this event: "they were all with one accord"

The second of the unique aspects of this event: "rushing mighty wind"

The third unique aspect of this event: "tongues like as of fire"

The fourth unique aspect of this event: "other tongues"

" Now here, second to Himself, was the gift of gifts—the donation of the Holy Spirit, the greatest God could give, the richest man could receive—suspended upon the single fact of the Redeemer’s ascension to glory. It would seem as if the baptism of the church by the Spirit was an event especially reserved to signalize the enthronement of the Son of God in His mediatorial kingdom.

God would demonstrate how great was the glory of Jesus in heaven, how perfect was the reconciliation which He had effected between Himself and man, how spiritual was that kingdom which He was about to establish in the earth, the foundation of which His own hand had laid—and how full, and immense, and free were the blessings ready to be bestowed upon all who, in poverty of spirit, and sincerity of heart, and fervency of soul, should seek them, by opening the windows of heaven, and pouring down the Holy Spirit in all His converting, life-giving, sanctifying, and comforting grace.

And oh, how must this Divine and Eternal Spirit—occupying as He did a personal existence in the glorious Trinity, possessing equal glory, honor, and love with the Father and the Son, as equally engaged in securing the salvation of a chosen people—how must He have rejoiced at the consummation of an event which permitted Him to give full vent to the overflowing fountain of His heart’s grace and love over a church which He was about to renew, sanctify, and dwell in through eternity! “The love of the Spirit” pleaded eloquently for the exaltation of Jesus."

Octavius Winslow, Evening Thoughts, or Daily Walking With God (London: John F. Shaw, 1858), s.v. "September 20"; reprint ed. Joel R. Beeke and Kate DeVries (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage, 2003); on The Octavius Winslow Archive at http://octaviuswinslow.org/2011/09/19/september-20-promise-of-the-spirit/ [accessed 7 JUL 2013]. 

Text:

¹ Καὶ ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι [1] τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς,

ἦσαν ἅπαντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό.

 ² Καὶ ἐγένετο ἄφνω ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἦχος ὥσπερ φερομένης πνοῆς βιαίας,

καὶ ἐπλήρωσεν [2] ὅλον τὸν οἶκον οὗ ἦσαν καθήμενοι.

 ³ Καὶ ὤφθησαν αὐτοῖς διαμεριζόμεναι γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ πυρός,

ἐκάθισέν τε ἐφʼ ἕνα ἕκαστον αὐτῶν.

 ⁴ Καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν [3] ἅπαντες πνεύματος ἁγίου,

καὶ ἤρξαντο λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γλώσσαις,

καθὼς τὸ πνεῦμα ἐδίδου αὐτοῖς ἀποφθέγγεσθαι.

Key:

Simple Sentence

Focus of verse

Emphasis on "full"

Emphasis on "all"

Emphasis on "sit"

Emphasis on "sound"

Emphasis on "wind/spirit"

[1] Present passive infinitive of συμπληρόω.

[2] Aorist active indicative 3rd person singular of πληρόω.

[3] Aorist passive indicative 3rd person plural of πληρόω.

[Sermon preached by Pastor John T. "Jack" Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA on Sunday, July 7, 2013.]