Acts (2)

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 2 (Lesson 2) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 2.37-41.
This is a true Pentecost, indeed, as the first fruits are gathered to the Lord, right on schedule. Peter’s preaching of the Word of God has powerful effects. The walls of blindness and unbelief come tumbling down in the hearts of thousands as they hear the glorious Word of the Gospel.

For reflection
1. Those hearers were “cut to the heart,” showing the power of God’s Word to burst through reasons, fears, doubts, priorities, predispositions, and every other defense of the soul, to begin the ongoing work of Christ in the lives of even the hardest of men. Meditate on Hebrews 4.12. What happens when the Word “cuts to the heart” of someone?

2. Peter was clear that men must repent and publicly identify with Jesus as proof of the Spirit’s work in their lives. What is repentance? How does the call to repentance fit into our proclamation of the Good News?

3. Peter also foreshadowed the further reach of the Gospel to the Gentiles, echoing Acts 1.8, by his mention of “all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (drawn from Joel 2.32). Perhaps while some of his hearers dithered, Peter continued to exhort them to be saved. Are you as urgent as Peter about encouraging others to believe?

4. Ultimately, some three thousand souls declared their submission to Jesus. A glorious first harvest, indeed! What does this suggest about the kind of expectations we should entertain for our own proclamation of the Good News?

5. It’s not hard to see why, in just a bit (Acts 4), the religious leaders of Jerusalem will marvel at Peter and John as “unlearned” men. Peter seems to know his Bible pretty well. For an unschooled fisherman to be so capable of ranging throughout the Scriptures requires three things: study, time with Jesus, and trust in the Spirit. These are all available to us as well. Is your time in the Word equipping you to be a witness for the Lord (Acts 1.8)? Do you think you could share the Gospel using only the Old Testament? Try it with a friend.

Summary
When we proclaim the Gospel in its fullness, using the Word of God with dexterity, God can use it to break down walls of defense and open hearts to His saving love. What can you do to become more effective and consistent at sharing the Good News with lost people? What can keep you from this?

Closing Prayer
Blessed be the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle—
My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me.
LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?
Man is like a breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.
Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down;
Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

Psalm 144.1-5

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. For more insight to His work in our here and now, order the book, The Kingship of Jesus, from our online store by clicking here.

Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Or, you can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal.