Acts 2- The Revival

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Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:37-39

The great revival of Pentecost happened, over 3,000 people became saved and baptized by the Holy Spirit. Notice the people were “pricked in their heart” because of their sin, so they asked Peter what they should do, Repent and be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit! This is what becoming Born Again is about, true repentance coming to Jesus for salvation and being baptized with the Holy Spirit

The promise is for you and your families, whoever God shall call! The New Covenant established by the blood of Christ is for whoever calls upon The Lord to be saved! The Covenant that does not show any favoritism or partiality on who you are or where you were born, but only are you covered by the blood of Christ!

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:40-42

The book of Acts should be the model for all Churches, as we see the first Century Church, the Body of Christ, starting to take formation. Notice what the Church did, the studied the Apostles doctrine, meaning the New Testament scriptures. They continually had fellowship with one another and broke bread. The breaking of bread I believe means having communion together, it also could just mean having a meal together, however communion originally was always taken with a meal, like the Lords Supper. 

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts 2:43-45

The Church became a family, a community of believers. Christianity wasnt a religion or organization, it was a way of life. Everyone sold what they had and shared it among each other, like a family. Everyone took care of one another and feared The Lord. How far have our Churches strayed from this today?

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Acts 2:46

The Church gathered together daily, not just weekly and they broke bread from house to house. Again I believe breaking bread means communion or what was known as a “Love Feast” the early Church would have dinner together with communion. This was done daily, and it was done in unity and gladness. 

When we study the early Church in the book of Acts, we see how far today’s Church has fallen away. We wonder why we don’t see the signs and wonders that the early Church experienced, however we don’t realize today’s Church is nothing like the early Church. It’s time for a Pentecostal Revival once again Amen!

Acts 2- Pentecost- Part 2

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But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: Acts 2:14-18

Some people believe this was the first sermon for the Church delivered by Peter, the day of Pentecost when God poured down his Holy Spirit upon the Church. Peter demonstrates how this was a fulfillment of prophecy foretold by the prophet Joel. Peter confirms these men are not drunk with wine, they are drunk with the Holy Spirit!

Not who the Holy Spirit will be poured down upon, ALL Flesh, meaning everyone who’s a believer. Men, Woman, Sons, Daughters, Brothers , Sisters, ect once you become a Born Again Christian you get baptized by the Holy Ghost (John 3)

And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:19-21

Everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus Christ, shall be saved! This is the New Covenant, no longer is Israel just God’s people but everyone who is Born Again through Christ! We are now Children of God through faith in Jesus!

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.  Acts 2:22-24

Peter preached the gospel, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! This is the central theme of all the sermons in the book of Acts, this should be the central theme of all our sermons today! It’s only by the gospel we can be saved, only by the blood of Christ can we be cleansed of our sin, only by the resurrection of Christ can we be risen again eternally, and now the Holy Spirit has been poured down upon us to seal us forever!

This is why many feel Pentecost was the birth of the Church, as a Born Again Christian remember , the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, the same power that rose Jesus from the grave Amen!

Acts 2- Pentecost Part 1

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And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

The Day of Pentecost , the day when the promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled as promised by Christ, many believe this is the day when the Church officially began, as God poured down the Holy Spirit upon his believers, and the gospel spread like wild fire, and gifts and miracles were distributed accordingly.

This is one of the reasons the Ascension of Christ was necessary, so Christ can send the promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enabled the believers to preach the gospel in different languages , that reached a wider audience, this began a revival as many getting baptized and coming to Christ as their Lord

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:5-11

Many were amazed to hear the gospel preached in their own native language, this was possible because of the Holy Spirit! It’s no surprise God used the feast of Pentecost as the platform to pour down the Holy Spirit, as this was a feast when Jews from all around the world came to Jerusalem. 

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Acts 2:12-13

People were in shock and disbelief, they were amazed to be hearing the gospel preached in their own native language. Some even accused the believers of being drunk on wine, but these believers were not drunk on wine but drunk on the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is still with us today, living inside of us, being our intercessor, imagine if we obeyed the Holy Spirit today and sparked another revival such as in the day of Pentecost! Come Holy Spirit and fill us with your wisdom and words to preach in Jesus name Amen!

Acts 1- The Next Apostle

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And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. Acts 1:15-18

As we know originally there were 12 Apostles, the number 12 is very symbolic in the Bible meaning completion or authority, so it’s no surprise there were 12 tribes of Israel as well as the 12 Apostles. We know from the gospels that Judas Iscarriot, one of the original 12 Apostles , betrayed Jesus and gave him over to the religious leaders to be killed.

But we also know that God takes the evil of men and uses it for his purpose and glory (Romans 8:28) We see this throughout the Bible, and God did the same with Judas. Even though Satan filled the heart of Judas and used him to murder Jesus, God used this evil to fulfill the scriptures, that the Messiah must die in the hands of sinners to be the atonement for our sins.

Peter explains how David prophesied about this in the Old Testament (Psalm 69:25) and also David prophesied that another Apostle would take his place (Psalm 109:8) therefor it was time the Apostles picked a replaced for the Son of Perdition Judas

And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. Acts 1:19-22

The accuracy of the Old Testament scriptures are amazing, here Peter shows how the Old Testament predicted all the events of Judas, including the field of blood and this moment of picking a replacement. Secondly we see another mention of the ascension of Christ, which is a central doctrine of Christianity that often gets overlooked. Notice the Apostles were eyewitnesses of all the events, the death, resurrection , and ascension of Christ

And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 1:23-26

Notice the process the Apostles used to pick Judas replacement, they asked God for divine direction. They didn’t pick the Apostle based on his resume or his how many degrees he had, they allowed God to guide them to choose the right person

Some like to debate whether the selection of Matthias was chosen by God or by man, I think its another unnecessary argument to be divisive with, its clear the Apostles prayed for Gods guidance and the lot was chosen for Matthias

Imagine if the Church today or even ourselves used this process in every decision we made in life. Pray to God for his will to be done Amen!

Acts 1- The Ascension of Christ

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Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. Acts 1:2-4

The Book of Acts begins with the Ascension of Christ, this shows you the importance of the Ascension and how it was a beginning for the Church. As written, Jesus appeared to the disciples for 40 days after the Resurrection, this was clearly documented in the gospels and by the apostles. Jesus commanded the disciples not to leave Jerusalem, so they may receive the Holy Spirit

The Ascension was necessary for Christ to send the Holy Spirit (John 16) this is one of the reasons the Ascension is an important event for the Church. Jesus exalted at the right hand of God the Father, pouring down the Holy Spirit, creating his body (The Church) to continue Gods work here on Earth (Ephesians 1)

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:5-8

The baptism of the Holy Spirit, as taught by Christ himself (John 3) The day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured down upon the Church, this was made possible because the Ascension was completed. You might wonder why? As the scripture said “Its not for us to know the times or season” What we do know is Jesus said” He must ascend into Heaven in order for the Holy Spirit to be sent” (John 16)

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11

The disciples watched as The Lord was taken up into Heaven, two angels told them “In the same way, Jesus will return” The Ascension also is the kickoff for the return of Christ! As soon as Jesus ascended the clock is now ticking, The Church has eagerly waited for The Lords return, which will come as a thief in the night

Are you ready Church? Jesus will return in the same manner as the Ascension, Christ will come at a day or hour when you least expect him, get ready the King is coming Amen!

Mark 16- The Great Commission

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Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:14-16

Before Jesus ascended back to Heaven, he gave his disciples their marching orders known as “The Great Commision” These orders were not just for the Apostles but for us also, we also need to be obedient to Christ and follow his commands. 

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone! Sounds like a simple command, but how many Christians are actually doing this? We see many Christians dividing themselves and some even hiding from the world, when we should be going out into the world and talking about Jesus! It’s easier to avoid people who don’t have the same beliefs and worldview as you, but how will they know the gospel unless its heard by You!

You might say, what’s the big deal? Well notice Christ’s words, “They that don’t believe will be damned” Your service is vital to someone’s eternal salvation, if the seed of the gospel is never planted, they may never receive Christ!

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  Mark 16:17-18

You might say “Well I feel powerless or unequipped to go out and preach” This is not true, as a Born Again believer, you are filled with the Holy Spirit. The same spirit that rose Jesus Christ from the dead, is living inside of you! In the name of Christ, the Apostles cast our demons, healed the sick, and spoke in tongues, how? Because they were filled with the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus Christ

Notice in the very beginning in verse 14, Jesus rebuked his disciples for their lack of faith and belief. Is your heart right with God or is it hardened? Take the leap of faith and Go preach the gospel to the entire world, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Amen!