Sermons From Acts - The First Gospel Sermon (2:22-41)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                   The First Gospel Sermon (2:22-41)

INTRODUCTION

1. With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost...
   a. The promises of Joel, John the Baptist, and Jesus were being
      fulfilled!
   b. As foretold by Joel and John, a time of judgment and salvation
      was at hand!

2. After explaining the meaning of the miraculous events on that day,
   Peter...
   a. Quickly diverted their attention from the miracles to the message
   b. A message involving a crucified, risen, and exalted Lord!

[With Peter's message we find the proclamation of "The First Gospel
Sermon." For the first time, the gospel of Christ was preached and people
were told how to respond.  Let's take a closer look at...] 

I. THE SERMON

   A. JESUS ATTESTED BY GOD...
      1. Peter proclaims Jesus as a Man attested by God through His
         miracles - Ac 2:22
      2. Done in their midst, they could not deny the signs Jesus did
         while alive!

   B. JESUS PUT TO DEATH...
      1. By crucifixion, which they themselves did with lawless (Roman)
         hands - Ac 2:23
      2. Though according to God's predetermined purpose and
         foreknowledge - cf. Isa 53:10-12
      3. Jesus' death and their involvement they could not deny!

   C. JESUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD...
      1. God raised Jesus, having loosed the pains of death - Ac 2:24
      2. Peter offered three proofs that Jesus rose from the dead
         a. David's prophecy, fulfilled in Jesus - Ac 2:25-31; cf. Ps
            16:8-11
         b. Eyewitness testimony, by the twelve apostles - Ac 2:32; cf.
            Ac 1:21-22
         c. Outpouring of the Spirit, which the audience themselves saw
            and heard - Ac 2:33
      3. Compelling evidence to those who were present!

   D. JESUS EXALTED AS LORD AND CHRIST...
      1. The outpouring of the Spirit was the result of Jesus'
         exaltation - Ac 2:33
      2. Jesus' exaltation was also prophesied by David - Ac 2:34-35;
         cf. Ps 110:1
      3. Thus the crucified Jesus was now Lord and Christ! - Ac 2:36

[Powerfully, effectively, Peter presented Jesus as a good man who was
crucified, raised from the dead, and now exalted as both Lord and Christ.
As we continue, let's notice...]

II. THE RESPONSE

   A. THE REACTION...
      1. They were cut to the heart (convicted of their sin) - Ac 2:37
         a. This implies they believed the message about Jesus
         b. As told:  "know assuredly that God has made Jesus...Lord
            and Christ" - cf. Ac 2:36  
      2. They asked Peter and the apostles, "What shall we do?" - Ac
         2:37
         a. Indeed what can one do, what should one do?
         b. Some say there is nothing one can do, for that would
            suggest salvation by works
         c. But obedience is not inconsistent with salvation by faith 
            - cf. Ro 1:5; 6:17; 16:25-26
         d. Indeed, Christ is the author of salvation to all who obey!
            - He 5:9; cf. 1Pe 1:22
         e. Thus the gospel must be obeyed! - cf. 1Pe 4:17; 2Th 1:7-8
         f. Even as Paul was told to go to Damascus, where he would be
            told what he must do - cf. Ac 9:6; 22:6
         g. And as Cornelius was to send for Peter, who would tell him
            what he must do - cf. Ac 10:5-6,33,47-48

   B. THE REPLY...
      1. They were told to repent - Ac 2:38
         a. Which is what Jesus wanted His apostles to proclaim - cf.
            Lk 24:46-47
         b. To repent is to make the decision to turn from one's sins
            toward obeying God
      2. They were told to be baptized - Ac 2:38
         a. Which is what Jesus wanted His apostles to proclaim - cf.
            Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15-16
         b. To be immersed in the name of Jesus for the remission of
            sins - cf. Ac 22:16
      3. That they might received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38
         a. That is, to receive the Holy Spirit as a gift (for more,
            see here)
         b. Which had been promised and now poured out - cf. Ac 2:33
         c. And was now promised to all those who obey Christ - cf. Ac
            2:39; 5:32

   C. THE RESULT...
      1. Following further exhortation:  "Be saved (save yourselves,
         ESV) from this perverse generation" - Ac 2:40
      2. 3000 gladly received his word and were baptized - Ac 2:41
      3. Those baptized were "added" by the Lord to His church - Ac
         2:41; cf. Ac 2:47

CONCLUSION

1. What an amazing conclusion to a day that started with amazing
   events...
   a. Jesus was proclaimed as a crucified, raised and exalted Lord!
   b. Three thousand souls responded immediately to the gospel!

2. When the gospel is shared, what should people do...?
   a. Believe (know assuredly, with conviction that Jesus is the Lord
      who died for them) - Ac 2:36
   b. Repent of their sins (make the decision to turn from sin and turn
      to God) - Ac 2:38
   c. Be baptized for the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy
      Spirit - Ac 2:38-39

Is that what you were told to do when the gospel of Christ was shared
with you?  Or were you told a "different gospel" (cf. Ga 1:6-10)?  To
ensure that you are truly saved, make your response the same as those
souls on the Day of Pentecost...

   Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day
   about three thousand souls were added to them. ~ Ac 2:41
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