Bible - Unstoppable (2) - Unstoppable Message - Acts 2:22-24, 32-33, 36-38 - Octobeer 23, 2016

Bible Study – Unstoppable (2) – Unstoppable Message – October 23, 2016

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Unstoppable Gospel.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 2:22-24, 32-33, 36-38.

JESUS died for our sins, rose again and reigns as LORD.

October 23 is our eldest son’s birthday. Ted went home to be with our LORD JESUS on August 1, 2012. We miss him mightily but what a comfort it is to know that our family will be reunited one day in Heaven as each of us will pass through the portals of physical death into the waiting arms of our risen Savior JESUS. Our daughter, Allison, exclaimed “YES!” when at Ted’s funeral our pastor, Dr. Neely stated, “No more sickness, sorrow or death.”  Christians will spend eternity with their loved ones who have experienced the miracle of rebirth by placing their faith in JESUS, The CHRIST and GOD. Eternity is the destination of all humans. Will it be Heaven for you? The only way to Heaven is through faith in JESUS.

JESUS stated in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Those who think there is another way to the One True GOD know this, that kind of thinking is Satan’s lie. There is only one way to GOD. JESUS came to earth to tell us and to give HIS sinless life that all who place their faith in HIM will be born-again, in their spirit, into GOD’S family and receive eternal life.

Let’s explore the coming of the promised Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Acts 2:1-21: (Introduction)

Pentecost

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.

JESUS had told HIS disciples and others to wait in Jerusalem for the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit. HE did not give them a specific day but told them to wait. They waited and as they were waiting, they were praying and their praying brought about unity among them. Their number had grown to 120 people. Their waiting showed their obedience to JESUS’ command and prepared them for what was about to take place.

The day of Pentecost came fifty days after the celebration of the offering of the barley sheaf at the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Pentecost comes from the Greek word meaning “fifty.” What is unique about this specific time? Let’s read Deuteronomy 16:9-12:

The Festival of Weeks

9 "You are to count seven weeks, counting the weeks from the time the sickle is first [put] to the standing grain.

10 You are to celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God with a freewill offering that you give in proportion to how the Lord your God has blessed you.

11 Rejoice before the Lord your God in the place where He chooses to have His name dwell-you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreign resident, the fatherless, and the widow among you.

12 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt; carefully follow these statutes.

Pentecost was a unique time when the harvest was complete and all were invited to celebrate the seventh week or 7 weeks times 7 days equals 49 days then celebrated the next day which equals 50 days. Everyone was invited to this celebration. GOD’S timing is precise and so beautiful. The harvest had been completed. JESUS, The promised Messiah, GOD’S only SON, had come to earth as prophesied in the scriptures. HE had given HIS sinless life, by the shedding of HIS blood, for all who will place their faith in HIM. The scriptures had been fulfilled. The shed blood of JESUS covered every person who asked JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins. This covering allows GOD to reside within each person who places his or her faith in JESUS. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, resides within the human body of each person of faith. GOD dwells within each Christian. Faith is more than believing a fact but knowing. In essence, the harvest was complete. GOD’S plan of salvation was fully revealed.

On page 101 of the Advanced Bible Study, fall 2016, published by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175, Dr. Warren McWilliams wrote:

[The event in Acts 2 could be the Jewish Pentecost since it actually happened on the Jewish holy day. A “Samaritan Pentecost” happened when converts in Samaria received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). The “Gentile Pentecost” was when Cornelius and other Gentiles received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-46). A “Baptist” or “Ephesians’ Pentecost-type event” was when the followers of John the Baptist in Ephesus received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7). Although these four Pentecost-type events are dramatic and memorable, the Holy Spirit was active in many other ways in the early church.]

I had not considered these other manifestation of the Holy Spirit as unique to a certain people group. To me it underscores the fact that the Holy Spirit is not unique to a certain event but is available to all throughout the ages.

I think that many of us, as Christians, have relegated the Holy Spirit to a certain time and we are missing out on the manifestation of the Holy Spirit through our lives. Many think if they are filled with and led by the indwelling Holy Spirit they will turn into some religious freak. Is doing the will of GOD and allowing GOD to work through HIS children freakish? No! But it is all about being in right relationship with GOD and knowing GOD as HE is and not as we think HE ought to be. Our notions must be dispelled and our wills brought into unity and harmony with HIS. This is a process with step one being filled with the Holy Spirit. Christians must be in a personal, intimate, loving relationship with GOD. Let’s continue.

2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.

Sound gets your attention and results in a person looking for the source of the sound.

3 And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

Once those hearing the sound looked they saw what appeared to be tongues, looking like flames of fire. Fire is generally considered cleansing. Do you recall when Moses saw the burning bush that was not consumed? GOD spoke to Moses and let him know that he was standing upon Holy Ground.

4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.

Those who saw were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in known languages. This was an attention getter and revealed that something unique was taking place.

5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.

6 When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

7 And they were astounded and amazed, saying, "Look, aren't all these who are speaking Galileans?

8 How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretans and Arabs-we hear them speaking in our own languages the magnificent acts of God."

12 And they were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, "What could this be?"

13 But some sneered and said, "They're full of new wine!"

Some thought the people speaking these known languages were drunk.

Peter's Sermon

14 But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: "Jewish men and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you and pay attention to my words.

15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it's only nine in the morning.

Peter cleared up the thought regarding the physical condition of those speaking in these known languages which were not native to them.

16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32):

17 And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

18 I will even pour out My Spirit on My male and female slaves in those days, and they will prophesy.

19 I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and remarkable day of the Lord comes;

21 then whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Peter knew from the scriptures the meaning of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Acts 2:22-24: (The Apostle Peter’s gospel message.)

22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know.

Peter reminded those who were seeking the coming of the promised Messiah that JESUS, who taught in many places including the temple in Jerusalem, fulfilled all of the attributes as recorded in the scriptures regarding the Messiah. Peter told them that many hearing his voice had witnessed these miracles, wonders and signs.

23 Though He was delivered up according to God's determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him.

GOD had planned this before the foundations of the world. GOD allowed lawless people to crucify JESUS and kill HIM.

Notice in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 the mystery of the cross was hidden:

God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

GOD keeps secrets to serve HIS plans and purposes.

24 God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.

The “pains” of death are related to birth pains. Death did not want to give up but JESUS prevailed and conquered eternal death. The resurrection of JESUS resulted in eternal life for those who place their faith in JESUS. JESUS is the firstfruits of those who place their faith in JESUS and are born into GOD’S family. JESUS ended the pains for each person who places his or her faith in HIM from having to go through the pains of rebirth in the Spirit to defeat eternal death.

25 For David says of Him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh will rest in hope,

27 because You will not leave my soul in Hades, or allow Your Holy One to see decay.

28 You have revealed the paths of life to me; You will fill me with gladness in Your presence.

29 "Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne.

31 Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay.

Some Bible scholars believe that between the death of JESUS and HIS resurrection, HE went to Hades to announce that HE was the promised Messiah as recorded in 1 Peter 3:18-22:

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—

20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. 

It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Let’s read Acts 2: 32-33, 36:

32 "God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this.

The Apostle Peter confirmed his eyewitness account and the eyewitness of others regarding the resurrection of JESUS. This included HIS presence upon earth for 40 days after HIS resurrection and HIS ascension into Heaven, as Peter continued.

33 Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear.

Being exalted to the “right hand of GOD” and receiving “from The Father (GOD) the promised Holy Spirit is final confirmation that all authority has been given to JESUS The CHRIST. Being at the “right hand of GOD” is the ultimate position of power and authority.

34 For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand

Peter was dispelling any notion that the person who ascended was King David but uniquely JESUS The Only Son of GOD. JESUS was linked to the ancestral line of King David but King David was not speaking of himself. This was to dispel any notion of JESUS being the physical ruler of Israel.

35 until I make Your enemies Your footstool.'

GOD is in charge and is at work bringing matters upon earth into conformity with HIS plan and purpose for the final dispensation and complete rule of GOD upon earth in HIS new heaven and earth.

36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!"

GOD made JESUS both “Lord” (GOD/Yahweh) and “Messiah” (CHRIST, The anointed One).

Let’s read Acts 2:37-38:

Forgiveness through the Messiah

37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: "Brothers, what must we do?"

The Holy Spirit brings conviction to those who hear the Word of GOD and seek to know HIM and establish a personal, intimate, loving relationship with HIM. Those who heard wanted to know “brothers what must we do?” Peter responded. Those listening recognized them as fellow Jews.

38 "Repent," Peter said to them, "and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Repent means to stop going in the direction you are going and turn around and go in the opposite direction. To show publicly that their decision was genuine they needed to be baptized. The Greek word “baptizo” means to be completely immersed. Baptism has no saving power but it is a graphic illustration of dying to our old life before CHRIST and being resurrected to walk in our new life with CHRIST. It is a symbol of obedience.

The words “for the forgiveness of your sins” could be confusing. “For” can be rendered “on the ground of” or “on the basis of,” thus “on the basis of” your faith in JESUS your sins are forgiven and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The shed blood of JESUS atones for our sins.

We, as Christians, have received salvation and are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit which came upon us at the moment of salvation. 

Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit at the instant of salvation. There may be moments after salvation that we commit our lives or release more of our will to GOD and it can manifest itself as a second anointing of the Holy Spirit. When in actuality, it is us removing more of our old life and allowing the Holy Spirit to control more of our will and purpose. It is a part of dying to self and part of the process of sanctification.

39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

The promise of salvation is open to all and not just for the Jews. A new dispensation has entered the world, which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in to the lives of those who place their faith in JESUS CHRIST.

Keep in mind that the gift of the Holy Spirit is different from the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit.” The “gift of the Holy Spirit” happens at the instant of salvation and is eternal life. You will receive one or more “gifts of the Holy Spirit” which are manifested as Christians obediently serve our LORD JESUS as directed by the Holy Spirit.

40 And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, "Be saved from this corrupt generation!"

Was Peter’s message effective? Read on.

A Generous and Growing Church

41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.

It was effective and is still effective today!

Allow the Holy Spirit to rule and reign in your life by asking JESUS to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life believing that JESUS gave HIS life by the shedding of HIS blood for the remission of your sins. Now is your opportunity. Eternal life waits you. Yield to the urging of the Holy Spirit. Blessings!!!