Year 2, Week 40, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 40, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Acts 2-3.

Today’s reading continues with the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts is a selective history of the early church, which demonstrates how Jesus, by the Spirit, empowers His followers to continue His work. While the Book of Acts traces the early history of the church, there will be a strong focus on the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Acts 2 picks up with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church, soon after Jesus’ ascension: “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). Peter emerges as a bold spokesman who explains what is occurring: “But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk…But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:14-16). Peter explains from Joel 2 that what is unfolding is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Acts 3 records key moments that demonstrate the boldness that the Apostles possessed through deed: “But Peter said…In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”…And leaping up, he stood and began to walk” (Acts 3:6-8a); and word: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this…as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?…And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong…and the faith that is through Jesus” (Acts 3:13;16).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the content of the sermon that Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:22-24). Peter directly links his remarks about the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit being a fulfillment from one of the Old Testament prophets to what has occurred with “Jesus of Nazareth.” Presumably, most who were present to see what was occurring among the followers of Christ, had also been eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry and crucifixion, or at least knew of it secondhand. Peter’s remarks clarify that Jesus’ story was not over; Jesus was raised from the dead: “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing…Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:32-33,36). Christ is the risen Lord who is manifesting the power of His presence by the Spirit through His people.

Luke provides us with a vital portrait of what proclaiming Christ consists of. Peter’s message explained who Jesus is and what He accomplished. The core of the Gospel’s message is the death and resurrection of Christ: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). Peter’s message also included a bold exhortation to turn to Jesus: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:38,40). Faith and repentance are put forward as essential components of turning to Jesus. Although there is no explicit mention of faith, it is clearly implied, for repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ imply belief. Further, baptism serves as the public expression of faith in Christ: "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Receiving the word that was proclaimed about Jesus consists of trusting Christ. And such reception of Christ or trusting in Christ is made public through baptism.

Proclaiming Christ not only produced followers of Christ, it also created the fellowship of followers of Christ: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Those who received Christ and made their profession public through baptism began gathering together and participating in routines that comprise the basic activities of a local church. The Spirit who empowered Peter to proclaim Christ as well as enabled many hearers to trust in Christ, continued stirring in the hearts of those who belonged to Christ. Thus, when we think of a gathering as a church we should understand that it is a community empowered by the Spirit focused on the gospel, praising God, praying, and gladly putting the needs of others first; therefor showing the world, the reality of Gospel: “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b). A community of Gospel believers is to display an attractiveness of the Gospel that is proclaimed.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe