Lesson 6:The Result of the First Gospel Sermon

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Salvation from sins was enumerated (2:37-39).1. The gospel message was heard (2:37a).2. The gospel message produced faith (2:37a; cf. Rom. 10:17).3. Even after hearing the gospel and believing it, they were

still not saved.4. The gospel message requires repentance in order to be

saved (2:38).5. The gospel message requires immersion in water in order

to be saved (2:38).6. Obedience to the gospel message promises two essential

blessings to all:a) The remission/forgiveness of sins (2:38)b) The gift of the Holy Spirit (2:38-39)

I.

A. The plan of salvation, on this first occasion to be offered, was plainly proclaimed!1. Since “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17), those who

heard believed (Acts 2:37). 2. If the believers were saved at that point, nothing further

would have been required.3. The godly sorrow needed to work repentance and its

necessary changes (2:38).4. Baptism, required by the name/authority of Christ, was

equally essential.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

B. Baptism is absolutely essential to one’s salvation from past sins!1. Baptism is commanded in answer to being freed from sin and its

guilt.2. Baptism is equally as essential as repentance, being joined by

“and”—a coordinating conjunction that joins two items of equal grammatical weight. Both are required.

3. Baptism is required by the authority of (name of) Christ (Mt. 28:18-19; Mk. 16:16).

4. Baptism is “for” (in order to obtain) the remission of sins (more below).

5. Baptism is placed before remission of sins by God, not after. That is God’s order.

6. The response shows its essentiality—about 3,000 were baptized that very day.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

C. The Greek preposition “eis” in Acts 2:38 means “in order to obtain” remission of sins!1. Some try to make “eis” mean “because of,” to put baptism

after the remission.2. The Greek term “eis” (1,773 times in N.T.) always looks

forward & points to its purpose.3. “eis” never looks backward, never is translated “because

of” & never has that meaning.4. The same exact phrase is found in Matthew 26:28.

a) Obviously, it denotes purpose (“to obtain”) and not that sins were already forgiven.

b) The same word “eis” is found also in Acts 3:19, translated “that” or “so that.”

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

D. The “gift of the Holy Spirit” is promised to “as many as the Lord our God will call” (2:39).1. The promise was made to Jews, their descendants and to

Gentiles (cf. Eph. 2:13, 17).2. It was made to “as many as the Lord will call” with & through

the gospel (cf. 2 Th. 2:14).3. What is “the gift”? Miraculous or non-miraculous? Limited to

1st century or abiding?a) The universal promise of remission is linked to “the gift.”b) Made to “as many as” are called, with no “temporary” indication.c) “…Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him” (5:32).d) Rom. 8:9, 11; 1 Cor. 6:19; Gal. 4:6; 1 Jn. 3:22

4. The activity of the indwelling Spirit is another study, but it is NOT miraculous!

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

B. Salvation from sins was encouraged (2:40).1. Peter preached about Christ (2:22-36) and offered “the

invitation” (2:37-39).2. Then, he continued to urge (repetitively) his hearers to “Be

saved” (2:40):a) The imperative emphasizes that compliance with conditions is

essential.b) The passive voice emphasizes that it is God who does the ultimate

saving.

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Salvation from sins was enjoyed (2:41-46).1. About 3,000 responded, were baptized and were joined

together (2:41).2. Order was quickly established in the church, including its acts of

public worship:a) They “continued steadfastly,” noting a regular frequency and persistence.b) “The apostles’ doctrine” = standard of authority that was preached (cf.

Mt. 28:20)c) “Fellowship” = common sharing (Gk. koinonia), incl. “contribution” (2

Cor. 9:13)d) “The breaking of [the] bread” = observance of the Lord’s Supper (cf. Acts

20:7)e) “Prayers” = public and congregational times of prayerf) The early church also sang hymns of praise in their worship (v. 47; cf.

Eph. 5:19).

I.

E. “The breaking of bread” is a reference to the Lord’s Supper!1. Just as “Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it” (Matt.

26:26), so did the church.2. They met on the first day of the week (for the purpose) “to

break bread” (Acts 20:7).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Salvation from sins was enjoyed (2:41-46).3. The impact of Christianity was creating deep reverence

among all (2:43).4. The early church loved their brethren and loved being

together (2:44-47a).a) Because they shared Christ in common, they shared all they had

(2:44).b) The sharing was voluntary (not forced or required) and based on

need (2:45).c) They met daily for study/teaching in the temple and eating meals in

homes (46).d) The temple grounds, with all of its courts, provided multiple options

for meeting.e) In those early days, they found favor in the city and at the temple

(2:47a; cf. 8:1).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

D. Salvation from sins was energizing (2:47).1. The daily activity of the early Christians resulted in daily

conversions.2. It is the Lord who adds those saved (according to His plan)

into His one body.

I.

F. The Lord adds those who are saved to His church!1. Man cannot “join the church of his choice.” There’s only

one church—the Lord’s!2. Those who are saved are in the Lord’s church. Those in the

Lord’s church are saved.3. One cannot be saved outside the Lord’s church (cf. Eph.

5:23).4. There can be some in the church who have been added by

man – called “tares.”

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

A. The message of our Savior’s cross-death in our place should cut us to the heart!

B. If you have never been baptized for the remission of your sins, why not?

C. There is a fate awaiting this perverse generation from which we must be saved!

D. We need to find joy & strength in each other, with a mutual interest for our needs!

E. We should want to be together (with our brethren) in spiritual and social settings!

F. The church ought to have the highest priority in our lives (cf. Matt. 6:33)!

G. The “Christian” part of our lives must not be limited to a day or to a building!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives