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The
Came With
Power
– Acts Two
The
Lord Jesus had promised, "Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not
taste of death, till they have seen the
On the day of Pentecost following our Lord's resurrection the
disciples were assembled and waiting in
On that Pentecost day the Holy Ghost came on the apostles with a
sound as a mighty rushing
wind. There appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire. The
apostles were given power to speak in languages that they had never
studied. This was to make it possible for them to preach to Jews from every
nation in their own language. The reactions were very different as to what happened on
Pentecost: (1) some of the
The apostles used the events of Pentecost to preach Jesus to these people. Peter's sermon had three points: (1) He spoke of how Jesus fulfilled prophecy, (2) He spoke of the great miracle working ministry of Jesus, and (3) He spoke of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This sermon both alarmed and convinced many that heard it.
The people inquired as to what they must do. They were told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, for the remission of sins. The gift of the Holy Ghost was promised to those that obey. About 3,000 people gladly received the word and were baptized. These saved people were added to the church. Those in the church enjoyed a wonderful fellowship.
The Holy Ghost descended – Acts 2:1-4: Jesus had promised that
the
Acts two begins "they were all with one accord in one
place." The "They" included Matthias, and the eleven with whom
he was numbered. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost came on the apostles only, not
on the hundred and twenty. There was a sound like a mighty rushing wind and
tongues parting like fire. The apostles spoke the gospel with other tongues or
languages. They were able to preach the gospel in languages they had never
learned.
The
lost are gathered – Acts 2:5-15: The sound like a rushing mighty wind
and the tongues parting asunder like fire
resulted in the multitude coming
together. "There were dwelling
at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." The apostles spoke in the
language of the people who had gathered. They taught these people the
"wonderful works of God” in their own language.
The people were especially amazed because the men that spoke were
all Galilaeans. At best they were unpolished and unlearned men. They had never
attended any school of learning nor had they learned any language but their
own. Some wondered what the events of Pentecost meant. Others accused the
apostles of being drunk. Peter stood up with the other apostles and said they were
not drunk. He said it was only the third hour of the day. No Jew would drink
before the first hour of prayer -- nine in the morning.
The sermon is preached – Acts 2:16-39: Peter
said the events of Pentecost were predicted by the prophet Joel. This is what
Joel had predicted. The "last
days" refers to the Christian dispensation that was beginning that day.
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus was accompanied with great natural
wonders spoken of in this chapter.
In the midst of those amazing natural events often associated with God's judgment against nations the hope of salvation is presented. The concern of Peter's sermon was human salvation and the means of obtaining such salvation. Peter preached about the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. Peter's sermon focused on, (1) the fact that Jesus fulfilled prophecy, (2) His great miracle working ministry, and (3) the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord.
The apostles made it clear that salvation comes to believers that will repent and be baptized. On this beginning day of the church about three thousand souls were baptized for remission of sins. These baptized believers were added to the church.
The result is salvation – Acts 2:40-47: Only those that gladly
receive the word can be saved. The one that gladly receives the word will be
baptized immediately. They did not eat, sleep nor drink first. Salvation was
the most important thing in the world to them. Those that are added to the
church must remain steadfast in service to God. "And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers." (Acts
All God's people must be together as one in Christ Jesus. "All that believed were together" could not refer to together in one place because the number was so large. They were of one mind and judgment as to Jesus, who He is, what He has done and what we must do to be washed in His blood. The disciples were of one heart and soul. That is why God added all the saved and only the saved to the church. Christians bless and encourage one another and also spread the salvation message to others.
Are you a child of God? "Therefore let all the house of
Now is the time to serve God faithfully. To
become a Christian hear the gospel (Romans
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List:
2. Corrine
Till to
3. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to: (a) Corrine, Thomas, Gene, and Michael Till and their families in the death of Brother Alton (Tommy) Till (b) Agnes Hammonds, Dennis Lowery and their families in the death of their brother, Raymond Lowery (c) Jimmy Walker and his family in the death of his aunt, Sara Marie McGough (d) to the family of R.E. Hall, and (f) to the family of Marie Blackmon
4. Remember
To Pray: Alan Jackson needs our prayers as he
serves in
5. Pray
For: (a) Thomas Phillips as he is on a two month trip to
6. Men’s Leadership Class: The
Wednesday night men’s leadership class will begin on March 29th. The
class will be taught by Tony Bozeman. It will meet in the all-purpose room.
7. Bridal
Shower: (a) There will be a
bridal shower for Allison Bagents on Sunday, March 26th in the all-purpose
room from
8. Biscuits
Baseball Game: A trip is planned for a Biscuits Baseball game on
Saturday, May 13th. Tickets are $8 each and must be purchased by
April 22nd. See Darrell Powell for details.
9. Birthdays:
Celebrating birthdays this week are: March 26th Aubrey Buck, March
27th Shelly Brannon, March 29th Lomax Owens, March
30th Mike Bagents, Mitch Bozeman, and Tyler Owens, and March
31st Deborah Owens.
10. 50
Years Marriages: Donnie Hillard at
11. Web
Site: Our new web address is:
www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org.
Updates are frequently being made, so visit it often. The entire Revelation
series is now available.
12. Bulletin
Boards: It is time for our bulletin boards to be replaced. See Lisa
Bagents to find out what you can do to help.
13. Backwoods
Christian Camp: Our camp dates are July 9th – 14th.
Plan to participate. A walk-a-thon for Backwoods Christian Camp is planned for
April 22nd. See Darrell Powell for details. There are also Saturday
work days at Backwoods contract Charles Box or Darrell Powell if you want to
help.
14. Weekly Budget For 2006: Our weekly budget for 2006 is $6,117.87 per week. God blesses us richly. Let us give generously! “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” (I Corinthians 16:2)
Gossip
When you know something, do you want everyone
else to know that you know? Perhaps you think, “Well, everyone else is going to
find out anyway, so I might as well be the one to tell them.” Yes, it’s true
that most news is going to spread like fire in a hay field on a windy day, but
that is only because there are so many people out there who don’t care about
others. “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And
where there is no talebearer, strife ceases” (Prov 26:20). So, are you a
fire-feeder, or a fire-stopper?
Sometimes people gossip with “good”
intentions. They spread information to “warn” others. They tell tales about
others to get advice on what to do about the situation. Some spread rumors they
have heard because they are “concerned” about another person. But, all too
often these are just excuses to justify the action of gossip.
What damage can gossip do? It separates
friends. “He who covers a transgression seeks love, But
he who repeats a matter separates friends” (Prov 17:9). Gossip destroys others’
trust in us. All of us know people to whom we can tell things…if we want
everyone within five counties to hear about it. “A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Prov
How can we stop gossip, or gossiping? First,
“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Prov
Before you say anything about anyone, ask yourself, “Have I spoken with this person about this rumor,” and, “What are my motives in telling it?” We can do much good by the things we say, but we can also do damage that can be irreparable. How will you use your words?
- - - - Darrell Powell
The church has only one business
and that is the
salvation of souls.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)