Lesson 2 - Part II
THE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH
11. The scoffers talked of drunkenness (Acts 2:13) no doubt because these men spoke in many languages the hearers didn't understand. That is, the hearers wouldn't have known all languages and would only recognize their own. Though it was silly, Peter wouldn't let the remark pass unchallenged but claimed that what happened was in fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32. From there he goes on to preach the first message of good news in the name of the once dead but now living, Jesus Christ. (The Church has no message of her own!) Peter no doubt spoke in a language known to all—probably the universal language, Greek.
12. He appeals to common knowledge! He tells of the man Jesus Christ who was approved of God (2:22) by miracles and signs and wonders. These works weren't done in some far off land but in the very presence of many of his hearers. Peter insists on this! What he was saying they knew to be true. They knew also how he was given to the Romans by his own people (2:23). He explains that strange situation by revealing that God purposed it so it wasn't failure; it was part of a divine plan.
13. He appeals to Scripture! Not only does he appeal to Joel, Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11 and Psalm 110:1. When David spoke of not seeing corruption, said Peter in 2:29, he wasn't speaking of himself—he was speaking of Jesus Christ. The proof of that was twofold: 1) David had died and saw corruption, and, 2) Jesus had died but had not seen corruption because God raised him from the dead to sit on David's throne!
14. He appeals to personal experience! The disciples were witnesses of the truth that God had raised Jesus from the dead! They had seen him! Ate with him! Were taught by him! Over a forty day period! Christ was alive after having been dead!
15. And he appeals to their personal experience! They heard the sound like a stormy wind which boomed out in this temple-house, they saw the fire-like tongues dividing and resting on each of them and they heard Galilean peasants speak in languages they couldn't possibly have known without God's intervention (see 2:33).
THE RESPONSE
16. About three thousand people were now convicted (2:37,41). They've sinned against God in rejecting Jesus. How can they right things? What must they do? they ask (2:37). If they want forgiveness of sins, says Peter, "repent and be baptized, ever one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven." (2:38). By repentance and baptism they take on them the name of the Christ they have rejected and their sins are forgiven. And that's not all, they too will be given the Holy Spirit as God's gift because the promise of the Spirit isn't to a select few, it's for all who turn to God in Jesus Christ (2:38,39).
17. Three thousand were thrilled to receive that message and were baptized so that their sins would be forgiven (2:41). These were sinful but now repentant people who were baptized. Adults who had rejected the Christ and who now wished to take his name upon them; who now wished to personally acknowledge as Lord the one whom God had made Lord and Christ (2:36,38).
18. And in being baptized in his name they were forgiven and added to the believing Community, the Church (2:38,47). Recognizing the apostles to be the authorized witnesses of the risen Lord and seeing the signs of apostleship worked by them (2:43 and 2 Corinthians 12:12) they wanted to be taught by them (2:42). They prayed together, shared their joy and "broke the bread" together (partook of the Lord's Supper, it appears) as well as sharing food in their various homes (2:46).
19. In their new found joy and deepened relationship they gladly shared their goods with those who had nothing. People earlier divided to some degree by differing languages were now united in one Body under the Messiah. The division of the tower of Babel (see Genesis 11:1-9) was being undone in Jesus. The NT Church was the new form of the People of God!
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IN LESSON TWO
1. The resurrected Lord spent nearly six weeks with his disciples before he departed to send the Spirit! Acts 1:1-5
2. The birth of the Church and the presence of the Spirit was signaled by the miraculous events which happened on that Pentecost day! 2:33
3. On the day the Church was born about 3,000 repentant adults were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Acts 2:38,41
4. The early Church recognized the apostles as the source of truth regarding Jesus Christ and his teaching. Acts 2:42