The Mission: Studies In The Book Of Acts

#4: The First Evangelist

October 4, 2006

1. The New Kingdom ...

■          What Does It Mean?

A. Peter’s answer starts with ... this is what you’ve been waiting for hundreds of years!

 1. This is what was promised ... the gift of the Spirit of God ... Holy Spirit

2. Present in Scripture from the beginning

3. Given selectively by God for God’s purpose

4. But one day ... the Spirit will be poured out on every one

               B. Israel’s “national memory” ... destruction ... exile ... occupation

1. One day Go will not only pour out Spirit ... God will sweep the table ... restore Israel

 2. In those days ... Messiah ... God’s anointed ... will arrive ... usher in a new kingdom

               C. Jesus arrives ... “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

■          Now This Strange Scene ... What Does It Mean?

A. Quoting Joel ... the presence of the Holy Spirit ... is evidence of the last days ...

B. Presence of Spirit is evidence of last days ... the kingdom of heaven is here

1. If the messianic age has begun ... it must mean that the Messiah has come

2. The New King ...

■          Do You Think Peter Has Their Attention?

A. Listen to what I have to say ... the Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth

■          v22 ... The Jesus They Would Know ... Known To By Miracles ... Done By God

A. Many as witnesses to his life ... miracles/teaching ... thousands in Jerusalem at Pentecost

1. Debate was never over the miracle ... over it’s meaning ... or source of power

B. v23 ... This is the man that you had killed

1. Crucified by humans ... but handed over according to God’s purpose

2. Issue of God’s sovereign purpose

3. Paradox ... sovereign purpose ... and human free will ... who killed Jesus?

               C. vv24-32 .. But God raised him up!

 1. God’s great miracle ... is evidence of Jesus’ anointing ... acceptance

 2. This great miracle ... has hundreds of eyewitnesses ... including apostles

 3. God’s great miracle ... all part of plan ... quotes from Psalm 16 ... David as prophet

4. Important reminder for church as stewards and custodians of the faith

 D. vv33-36 ... Now you are witnesses with us ... Jesus raised ... exalted ... pouring out Spirit

                        1. Again ... just as it had been predicted by David ... Psalm 110

■          All These Facts ... Witnessed ... Point To One Conclusion ... Jesus Is Both Lord & Messiah

 A. A huge claim ... “Lord” ... Adonai ... the name given to Yahweh ... name not to be uttered

1. If I was shooting this ... film ... long pause ... how will they react ... riot or repent?

3. The Kingdom Community ...                                       

■          Their Response .. “Cut To The Heart” ... Overwhelmed ... Grief/Sadness ... Convicted/Remorse

               A. Why were they cut to the heart?

1. They have chosen to believe that Jesus is Lord and Messiah

2. They have chosen to admit their role in contributing to his death

3. Now the question shifts ... from “what does this mean?” ... to “what should we do?”

■          Peter’s Response ... Repent And Be Baptized ... Sins Forgiven ... Receive Gift Of Holy Spirit

A. Repent ... metanoio ... to understand (perceive) ... to change one’s thinking ... one’s life

1. Not just guilt or sorrow ... choice to initiate a change of direction

B. Question of belief ... ‘believing in Jesus’ ... implied here ... can’t repent without belief

1. v2:44 ... converts referred to as believers ... exhortation to belief ... part of witness

C. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ ... reflect on this ... huge demand

1. Salvation ... Spirit ... not conditional on baptism ... baptism as sign of repentance

2. A remarkable thing to ask of these Jews ... only Gentile converts ... spiritually unclean

■          In Exchange ... Receive Two Gifts From Jesus ... Exalted ... Sits At Right Hand Of Father

A. Forgiveness of sins ... new status with God ... reconciliation ... citizenship within kingdom

B. Gift of the Holy Spirit ... God’s presence ... power ... working with us ... live this new life

■          3,000 People Responded ... Were Baptized ... Welcomed Into A New Community ... Church

A. Change thinking (repentance ) ... change allegiance (baptism) ... change communities

1. The mission ... started with 11 ... then 120 ... now moving out into the world