Bible Study - Why (5) - What Should We Do Now? - July 1, 2018 - Acts 2:37-47 - Jul

Bible Study – Why (5) – What Should We Do Now? – July 1, 2018

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Why Are We Here?”

Our focus scripture is Acts 2:37-47.

We do not live for ourselves, we serve GOD by serving others.

We must be careful regarding the above statement. Christians must keep in mind that the indwelling Holy Spirit prompts them to be observant and to respond as led by the Holy Spirit. Doing just to be doing isn’t the same as doing as led by the Holy Spirit.

Neither am I saying to do nothing because doing has merit as a teaching tool of the Holy Spirit. Living and responding is part of a Christian’s training. GOD is always teaching as we deal with the issues of life.

Let’s read Acts 1:4-8: (Lead-in)

The Holy Spirit Promised

4 While He (JESUS) was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father's promise. "This," [He said, "is what] you heard from Me; 

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, "Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 

This was an excellent question. GOD still had work to do upon earth before the end. GOD planned for Christians to work while we wait for the return of JESUS. We are still waiting and while we wait, we who know the truth, are to obediently serve GOD as led by the Holy Spirit.

JESUS referred to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth as recorded in John 15:26 and John 16:13:

26 "When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father-the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father-He will testify about Me.

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 

7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jerusalem was local, Judea was next door and the ends of the earth covers the rest of the world.

True born-again Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Holy Spirit is their assurance they are GOD’S Children. HE guides, teaches and endows them with Spiritual gifts. Let’s explore!

Acts 2:1-36: (Background – The arrival of the Holy Spirit.)

Pentecost

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

This day and time was not chosen by those waiting for the arrival of the Holy Spirit but was chosen by GOD. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is NOT an “It”, but the Holy Spirit is HE. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.

Some may say, “I wish I lived in Jerusalem at that moment.” Do you? The Holy Spirit is the same Holy Spirit then, as now and just as available. As a born-again Christian, you have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guarantees that our salvation is secure and is a down payment from GOD that HE will fully redeem us the instant we leave our human body.

I like to think of our human body as our “earth suit.” Once we die, physically, we no longer need our human body. As a Christian, GOD is fashioning a special body suitable for heaven until JESUS returns to earth. At JESUS’ second coming, all secure through faith in JESUS, will receive their permanent Glorified body. The model is the Glorified body JESUS had when GOD resurrected HIM from the physically dead.

GOD sent the Holy Spirit manifested such that HE would not be confused with any other happening.  Notice the highlighted words in the following scripture:

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

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

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. 

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? 

They were speaking known languages for the purpose of spreading the Gospel of CHRIST.

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!"

Peter's Sermon (Keep in mind that Peter walked with JESUS, taught by JESUS and was with JESUS on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter also denied JESUS three times but he repented and GOD used him in a mighty way. GOD never gives up on any person. Trust HIM.)

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. 

16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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. 

The ancestral line of JESUS traces back to King David. Prophecy was recorded and fulfilled by JESUS. JESUS was 100% human, yet 100% Divine.

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. 

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

JESUS was born 100% human thus died physically as all humans. JESUS was sinless. HE had to be sinless to pay in full for the sin of mankind. To prove that JESUS was the acceptable sacrifice for sin, GOD raised HIM from the physically dead to live eternally in HIS Glorified body. JESUS is the first fruit of The Promise of eternal life.

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. 

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 

35 until I make Your enemies Your footstool.' 

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

Some of the people did not recognize JESUS as Messiah while HE was upon earth because Satan blinds some people to Spiritual truth. Satan does not want any person to have a loving, intimate, personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Satan stills blinds today. Ask GOD to open your eyes to truth.

Let’s read Acts 2:37-41:

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?" 

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. 

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." 

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

The Good News is that those still alive upon earth have the opportunity to receive JESUS as their Savior through faith in JESUS.

We must repent. What does this mean? Repent is to turn around and go in the opposite direction. The Jews and those in Jerusalem were there seeking truth and seeking forgiveness from their sins by the shedding of the blood of an unblemished lamb. They would have to sacrifice another lamb in another year.

Now, know that GOD declared JESUS as the sinless, perfect lamb Who by the shedding of HIS blood paid, in full, for the sins of all who will place their faith in HIM. JESUS gave HIS life once and for all. There is no need to continue to sacrifice for your sins. Those who accept JESUS as their Savior are for eternity GOD’S Son or Daughter. Christians are under GOD’S Grace. But Christians still sin, what do they do?

1 John 1:6-10: Notice verse 9 – A Christian’s part is to confess.

6 If we say, "We have fellowship with Him," and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 

7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 

8 If we say, "We have no sin," we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

10 If we say, "We have not sinned," we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Do you recall 2 Corinthians 5:20 and 21 as copied below?

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God." 

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (All who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Verse 40, warns those listening to beware of the current religious leaders because they missed the coming of the Messiah and refused to acknowledge all the Biblical confirmations. We must be careful lest we are blinded by the things the world offers over Spiritual truth.

Let’s read Acts 2:41-45:

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. 

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers. 

43 Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 

44 Now all the believers were together and had everything in common. 

45 So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. 

Three thousand Jews and Seekers came to a saving knowledge of JESUS that day. They were eager to learn all they could from those who had walked with JESUS and been taught by JESUS.

The apostles performed many signs and wonders confirming the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

These new converts were eager to learn from those who had walked with JESUS and taught by HIM. They sold their possessions so they could study and learn many things e.g. how the Old Testament confirmed the life and ministry of JESUS as the promised Messiah.

Communal living was not Communism. They sold what they had and funded the opportunity for themselves and others to benefit from being together for Spiritual purpose.

Let’s read Acts 2:46-47:

46 And every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

Notice, they were compelled to share the truth which had been revealed to them. That is a natural response. When we learn and witness truth we want to share it with others.

When we discover something we have longed for and finally discover it, we want to share it. Salvation from sin and eternal death is the greatest news of all. A person going from sure eternal death, due to his or her sin, to eternal life because JESUS died where he or she should die. Now, that is Good News!

These early Christians went from house to house witnessing and fellowshipping. Are you excited to be a Christian? If not, why not?

Are we, as Christians, being the salt and the light that GOD desires for us to share because we who know the truth are HIS hands, mouth and feet? We are to go as HE directs us.

Later as recorded in Acts 4:4, we learn:

4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

Christians must keep in mind that we are the hands and feet of GOD. Have we given over our responsibility of evangelism to the church staff?

GOD’S plan is for each Christian to be available to go to the person to whom HE directs.

If you are hesitant, then confess it to our LORD. HE will come to your aid. Satan wants you to be hesitant. The key is to let the Holy Spirit lead you. Wait upon HIM.

Blessings!!!