Acts - Week 7

Week 7 Acts 2 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 2:38 

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

When the people asked what they must do; this is Peter’s answer. The word “repent” means “to change one’s mind.” They needed to change their mind about the Messiah and their sins and “turn to God.”  Peter added that they should be baptized. Some believe this is part of trusting in Christ. Others point out it’s after believing in Jesus to show one is identifying with Christ and His followers. Peter said when they followed his comments they would “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  

REFLECT 

Have you thought about the essence of salvation is turning from one’s sin and turning to God?  

RESPOND 

The word “believe” is used in John’s gospel over 80 times. Read some of these passages to show it does not include being baptized in order to receive salvation: John 1:14-18; 5:24; 6:29; 20:30-31.  

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 2:39-41 

39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 

Peter let it be known that the promise was both to those near (the Jewish people) and those far away (the Gentiles). All who believe can become right with God by grace through faith. Peter’s message was compelling as he urged them to save themselves by turning to God from the crooked generation. There were 3,000 added to the church that day. This is a significant number turning to Christ! The evidence of their genuine salvation is seen in the verses that follow.  

REFLECT 

Have you have the privilege of seeing a significant number turn to Jesus in an evangelistic crusade? The evidence of their salvation is seen in their lives later. 

RESPOND 

It is one thing for a person to raise a hand or go forward in a meeting, but the gennuineness of a decision is seen in life later. This is seen in the fruit of the Spirit in their lives and a desire to please the Lord Jesus in everything. See passages such as Galatians 5:22-23 and Colossians 3:16-18. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 2:42 

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. 

People often ask, What was the early church like? This one verse reveals four specific practices to which believers devoted themselves to. 1) the apostles’ teaching (done orally then but now in the Scriptures); 2) fellowship (the importance of sharing their faith and spiritual growth with others); 3) sharing in meals (both the agape meal at that time as well as the Lord’s Supper); and 4) prayer (they were devoted to this as well).  

REFLECT 

Does this verse help you to see what the heart of the early church believers was like in those days? 

RESPOND 

Talk to your disciple about this verse and how you might compare it to the local church you are attending. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 2:43-45 

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 

Notice that the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. This was particularly what the apostles were able to do because of their unique foundation in the Church, the body of Christ. Some have thought this passage and the following verses teach a “Christian Communism.” Not so. Communism forcibly takes what one has; these were willing sharing. These early church believers set an example for others to follow in their unselfishness. 

REFLECT 

Make notes about what this passage teaches you. 

RESPOND 

Regarding signs and wonders, see the following passages: Acts 2:22 where Jesus was endorsed by these; 2 Corinthians 12:12 which indicates they were the sign of an apostle; and Hebrews 2:3-4 that indicates they were in the past, as far as the writer of Hebrews was concerned.  

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 2:46-47 

46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. 

This adds more information about the practices of the early church. They were Jewish believers so they worshipped in the Temple.  As former Back to the Bible speaker, Warren W. Wiersbe wrote in his BE Series on Acts: “The Christians you meet in the Book of Acts were not content to meet once a week for "services as usual." They met daily (Acts 2:46), cared daily (Acts 6:1), won souls daily (Acts 2:47), searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11), and increased in number daily (Acts 16:5). 

REFLECT 

Does all of this motivate you to want to do even more for the Lord Jesus? 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, look up and discuss each reference in the quote by Warren W. Wiersbe: Acts 2:46; 6:1; Acts 2:47; Acts 17:11 and Acts 16:5.