Acts 2:14-47 "WHAT SHALL WE DO?" The was no question about it - something unique and full of wonder had happened to those who followed Jesus. The baptism of the Holy Spirit had united them as one body. Now the filling of the Spirit gave power to Peter to stand up with the other disciples in front of a huge crowd of people, and with power, this man who had become a man of humility and grace, spoke for God. This dynamic speaker was able to be used by God even though he had made some serious mistakes before. When genuine repentance takes place in a believer, God forgives and can use us to serve Him effectively again.
The message Peter gave began with claiming the attention of the crowd by explaining what was happening around them. Then he wisely directed their thoughts to the Word of God and applied it to what was happening right in their midst. The fulfillment of prophecy would have been of great interest to those Jewish people. The Messiah was the hope of Israel and Peter testified that was who Jesus is. At the end of the message he applied the truths he had taught to the people in that place at that very moment. Those who knew the scriptures and believed the promises of God, would have been aware of a coming day when the Holy Spirit would come. When it was pointed out to them that this what was taking place that day, it brought an awakening of great interest and brought deep conviction.
Peter reinforced his message by openly and plainly speaking about Jesus and the resurrection. he laid the charge of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ right on them. They could go to the place where He was crucified and everyone in the city ("this thing was not done in a corner") would know He had died there and how He died. The great earthquakes that happened on the Passover weekend would still be a hot topic of conversation along with the hours of darkness that had covered the whole land for three hours only a little over a month before. But now, even further, they could go and see the empty tomb where He had been buried. Peter was not laughed at or scorned that day because the evidence was undeniable. It is an important part of any message to address undeniable facts that explain or illustrate things people do not understand.
A second portion of scripture was applied to what was happening and Peter again shows the power of fulfilled prophecy as a proof of the resurrection of Christ and the authority of the risen Lord to send the Holy Spirit that day. The evidence of the Holy Spirit given the ability to speak in languages not previously learned was a sign to the Jews that was unmistakable. Everyone knows it takes time to learn a different language, so this instantaneous ability had to come from God because they were speaking of the wonderful works of God. Then Peter applied the whole event to the Person and work of Christ. It is important for us to make sure people understand their need before we give the solution to the problem. To jump ahead to the answer before the problem is faced can lead to people thinking they are saved when they are not. Repentance and obedience to God is not just a casual nod of the head or a light-hearted approach to sin. A person must turn in repentance from sin and rebellion to God, and to Christ for mercy, forgiveness and salvation. Far too often people are misled or mistaken when they look at themselves and their own understanding of their need and the way of salvation. Asking "Jesus into my heart" can fatally stumble a person who has not recognized their guilt and need of the Savior.
Peter continued to give instruction and challenge to those who heard and indicated by their words their real conviction of sin and a desire to do something about it. We are not given all the words that Peter preached that day but we know they "gladly received his word" and went ahead to publicly declare their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by baptism by immersion in water. The 3000 who were added to the 120 gathered in that place would have moved the whole city to know that God had visited His chosen people.
The on-going evidence of the reality of faith in Christ is the same now as it was then. When one is genuinely saved by God's grace and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit is evident, they want to learn from the Word of God and practice what they learn. There is a desire to be with the people of God and share in common their new life in Christ with other saints. The fellowship they are willing to continue in indicates a real commitment to Christ, to His Word, to His people and to the activities of the assembly of God's people. They want to remember the Lord Jesus Christ in the Lord's Supper. Fellowship and participation in prayer is part of the steadfast commitment they have. The new birth creates a new creation. The new creation indicates a new nature. The new nature produces a new life-style. The new life-style brings about a new commitment that we share in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Spiritual life changes everything. Joy and peace are found in places and by means which were previously avoided. People who were once looked down on are now looked up to. Things we once wanted to do are replaced by activities that are morally upright and principled. There is a desire to give of what we have for the blessing of others rather than to make demands for our own advancement. Each day brings new opportunities we seek to claim for God and the benefit of God's people. We find our souls and spirits are knit together with other believers and we seek out their company.
When God's people are finding joy, strength and real meaning in life, over the passing of time sincere seekers after God will know who to come to. The attraction of vital, vigorous Christian faith has power because of the Hoy Spirit using and filling God's people. There is a beauty and appeal to genuine praise for God that is unmistakable. Most people are longing for what the Spirit of God brings to believers, but they are not willing to repent of their sins and turn from their ways to the Lord. It is beyond the ability of preachers, teachers - even the apostles to save people who are not willing to be saved themselves. The Lord is the One who leads those who have been given new life by the Holy Spirit, and adds them to the church.
It is our responsibility to know the scriptures well enough to be able to apply God's truth to the need of the people who come for guidance. We need to be able to explain the way of salvation clearly and without compromise in any way, and do it with gracious words and a compassionate spirit. The "Lord's messenger in the Lord's message" is able to be used by God to speak for Him and be a channel of blessing to earnest seekers of salvation. "Why are they asking such questions? Isn't what they have enough? Stick with what you already have. The way of the cross is rough!" But no, there is a need within the seeker the Spirit of God has awakened. The wages and consequences of sin has left the lost soul quite shaken. So walking away in their spirit from the crowd whose objective in life is fun - They face up to their guilt, and truly repent, and in faith turn to God's Son Who died on the cross for our sins and in resurrection now justifies; Any person who comes to Him by faith, and one His righteousness alone relies.
"Why are they not coming with us? Do they think they are better than we? What is with that separated crowd? What is it they seem to see?"
Actually, it is not in the people, but in the One they gather to - Who is the moral and spiritual attraction, and who separates the false from the true? It is God the Spirit who is working and giving them the right answers to life. By His gracious revealing in scripture, we have turned from darkness to light. New life has a whole new objective, we can see God's guidance in all these things. And when we obey His directives, a sense of joy and satisfaction it brings.
"Why do they go to that place? There is nothing there to attract? If they only knew what we say, when we talk about them behind their back!" Well yes, we know saints are not perfect, they are only sinners saved by grace. And they have found faith to be strengthened when they come together in this place. Here the Word of God is opened, here instructions from the scripture is given. And in spiritual songs we give praise that ascends to our Father in heaven. We begin each week by remembering our Lord in His own appointed way. In remembrance and worship, we review the cost of redemption as we begin this day.
"Why do they keep on going? Are they not really bored by now? They keep talking about 'Saved," and when it happened and how!" When something important happens, it is not very easy to forget. The greatest of all these is salvation which we never want to ignore or neglect. So, the words of the songs we sing have meaning that we use to express our faith. The teaching we learn from is scriptural so that by it we can reflect God's grace. The worship we express is not formal, from our hearts we express gratitude. By our gathering together to Him, we grow spiritually and maintain godly attitude.
"Father, in Thy gracious will guide Thy servant today to be faithful in words and deeds to Thee and to Thy people. May there be grace in my lips, truth in my heart, and faith in my actions. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."