Prison Could Not Hold Them

Acts 5:17 ¶ Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, ¹⁸ And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, ²⁰ Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. ²¹ ¶ And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. ²² But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, ²³ Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. ²⁴ Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. ²⁵ Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. ²⁶ Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

Opposition Intensified

-          They were filled with “zeal,” grabbed the apostles, and threw them in prison

-          What person in their right mind would do this?

o   Jesus saw intense opposition when he healed people

o   The Enemy wants to kill and destroy us all

-          Remember when you face opposition like this

o   Jesus was hated too

o   The battle is really a spiritual one

-          Do not be surprised when the heat is turned up

Supernatural Deliverance

-          God provided a way of escape

-          Just like the Exodus. Just like our salvation. Just like the resurrection. God will always make a way of escape.

-          They were delivered to preach. God’s purposes don’t end with you.

-          We are delivered to deliver the words of life!

Enemies Become Fearful

-          Started out with authorities zealously grabbing the apostles. Ends with the authorities fearfully grabbing the apostles

-          In the Parable of the Sower Jesus described different responses to the word. Some people receive the word gladly but fall away when testing comes. The way to avoid this? Get rooted.

o   Plow your heart.  Get the rocks out of the soil.

-          The apostles feared God rather than men. The people feared the apostles. The leaders feared the people. Looks like you’ve gotta fear somebody.

-          Fear God and you need not fear anyone or anything else. Not even a prison can hold back God’s people as they participate in God’s mission. 

Signs and Wonders

Acts 5:12 ¶ And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. ¹³ And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. ¹⁴ And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) ¹⁵ Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. ¹⁶ There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

God of the impossible

-          Signs of what? Signs are not just there for beauty's sake. They point to something. What do these signs point to? 

o   God’s Kingdom (already here but not yet fully here)

o   God’s Spirit given

o   Christ’s Lordship 

o   God’s Gospel verified

o   God’s will is good

-          Can God…? Anaias and Sapphira had asked this question in a way. They tested God. The Israelites tested God in the wilderness, asking "can God provide us meat?" In both cases the results were bad and the answer was an emphatic "God can!"

-          Human weakness was overcome by the Spirit. Peter was not a perfect man. He had fallen into sin recently, and shortly after this he had to be confronted by Paul for racist hypocrisy, yet now his shadow brought healing. 

o   All things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23). 

-          Get a new perspective – there are no limits!

A flame of love

-          Judgment led to unity

-          Love embraces and love excludes!

-          The church did not exclude anyone (hypocrites excluded themselves voluntarily), multitudes joined.

-          Welcome the burning, cleansing flame

Power for restoration

-          Sickness, sin, and evil spirits are out of order.

-          God’s miracles are not chaotic. It would be scary if the God of the impossible were arbitrary. There's good news. He is all good. 

-          The forces of evil rage against us, but through God we will overcome!

-          These signs point to the way things should and eventually will be

o   All will be healed!

o   All (who repent and believe) will be forgiven and set free from sin for eternity!

o   All evil spirits bound and souls delivered!

A Terrifying Example

Acts 5:1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ² And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. ³ But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ⁴ Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. ⁵ And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. ⁶ And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. ⁷ ¶ And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. ⁸ And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. ⁹ Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. ¹⁰ Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. ¹¹ And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

An example of exactly what not to do

-          The power of examples

o   Inspiring – it can be done

§  In 1954 Roger Bannister ran the mile in under 4 minutes, beating the previous world record that had stood for 9 years. Just two months later two other runners ran the mile in under 4 minutes. In 1964 a high school boy ran the mile in under 4 minutes.

o   Warning

§  Drugs go in and out of style as people begin to see the consequences of drug abuse in those around them.

§  “I saw my parents’ marriage”

§  “I don’t want to treat my children the way I was treated”

§  “I don’t want to end up like my brother did”

§  “great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things”

-          Examples of examples

o   Barnabas (chapter 4, he sold his property and gave all of the proceeds)

o   Judas

o   Fern W

o   Ted Haggard

-          What Ananias and Sapphira did

o   Tried to look better than they were

o   Offered a partial sacrifice to God, pretending to give their all

§  Luke 14:25 ¶ And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

o   Lied to God

o   Deceived themselves rather than God

-          Nothing new under the sun – their followers live on

o   People still try to look better than they are

o   People still try to give God leftovers, while pretending that they’ve given all

o   People still lie to God

o   People still end up deceiving themselves

-          Learn from their example

o   God still judges hypocrisy

o   Choose your vows carefully

Is hypocrisy still as deadly as it was back then?

Does this bring any OT history to mind? [Achan]

Why do you suppose God is so fiercely opposed to hypocrisy?

What does a Spirit-filled church look like?

What does a Spirit-filled church look like? (and I'm not talking about architecture)

Some responses:

Animated

Loving

Vocal/Not quiet

The Spirit moves

Gifts of the Spirit 

Liberty

Acts 4:32 ¶ And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. ³³ And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, ³⁵ And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. ³⁶ And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, ³⁷ Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

One Heart and Soul

-          Sinful pride destroyed by repentance, prayer, and worship

-          Serving one another rather than striving against one another

-          Connected to the Spirit is to share His heart – love

-          If we get in tune with God’s mission we will be of one heart and soul

All Things Gifts

-          All things they had were for other people too

-          Easy come, easy go

-          Do you have anything that is not a gift from God?

-          If we are a Spirit-filled church we are ready to give to those who have needs

Great Grace Received

-          What is grace?

-          When you’ve been given much you’re more ready to give much

-          When grace is received it makes room for more grace 

-          A Spirit-filled church is a church of grace

Boldness from Above

Acts 4:23 ¶ And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. ²⁴ And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: ²⁵ Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? ²⁶ The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. ²⁷ For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, ²⁸ For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. ²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, ³⁰ By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. ³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

They looked to the right God (23-28)

•         de,spota, Sovereign Lord
•  Creator
•           The one who foreknew the opposition
•  Psalm 2
•           The one who foreordained the plan 
•           When in need make sure you call on this God

Confessing their dependence (29-30)

•           They asked for boldness
•  Even though they had just boldly defied mighty authorities
• Paul asked the saints to pray that he would speak boldly (Eph 6, i.e. after 20 years in Christian ministry)
•           God gives grace to the humble, even asking requires a bit of humility
•         Try to heal and do miracles on your own?
•           Remember that you need this God

And received the Spirit

•           When they asked for boldness they received a fresh filling of the Spirit
•          The Spirit still causes boldness
•          We have every reason to be bold (read Psalm 2)

o   God planned all along that opposition would be defeated

o   He planned all along that his Son would be slain

o   That death was the victory

o   We can have boldness regardless of the circumstances – we will be victorious no matter how it looks

-          Be bold in the Spirit of this God – the God who won through death

Unstoppable in Obedience

Acts 4:13 ¶ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. ¹⁸ And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. ²¹ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. ²² For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

Like their Master (13)

-          Bold in spite of not having official education

-          Reminded the authorities of Jesus

-          We study in obedience to God. But ultimately our wisdom, our learning, comes from God the Spirit.

-          Does your boldness and wisdom remind people of Jesus?

Living evidence (14-16)

-          They had in front of them a life miraculously changed

-          Examples of changed lives

o   Nathan – drug addiction left him homeless, until Jesus changed him

o   Davis – drug addicted and homeless when he met Jesus

o   Phil Burress – porn addict for years when he met Jesus

o   Every saint

o   Physical healings

-          Our lives and the lives we impact are a mighty witness

-          Is your life evidence for or against Jesus?

Enemies try their best (17-22)

-          They made strong threats

-          If we could pull back the veil (demonic opposition)

-          If we fear God we need not fear anything else

-          If you obey God you will be victorious 

      Nothing can stop us but disobedience!

Are you bold about the things of God?

Are you a student? Is it important to be a student?

Proof in the pudding: examples of testimony backed up or refuted by actions?

Satan wants us to be afraid to obey God. Have you ever experienced fear in obeying God?

Are you willing to suffer in order to obey God rather than man?

Good News for All is Bad News to Some

Acts 4:1 ¶ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, ² Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. ⁴ Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. ⁵ ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, ⁶ ¶ And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, ⁹ If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; ¹⁰ Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. ¹¹ This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. ¹² Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

The Gospel brings division (1-4)

-          The religious leaders were upset, but thousands of the people were happy

-          Man who thanked me and decided not to kill himself, woman who thanked me and gave me money (so that she wouldn’t buy crack with it), cussed at, “Satan loves me”, etc.

-          Do not expect to be celebrated by everyone (Sadducees didn’t accept doctrine of resurrection)

-          Proclaim the full message everywhere

The Gospel brings scandal (5-12)

-          Poor and unknown people exercise power through the Gospel (5-7)

o   In Jesus’ name!

-          Jesus works through them just as he promised (8)

o    Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: ¹⁵ For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

-          Precisely the one the leaders did not want was the One God had chosen – Jesus (9-11)

o    Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

-          Only one way to God – Jesus (12)

In what ways have you seen people react negatively and positively to the Gospel?

Have you ever endured persecution because you presented the Gospel?

Why do you suppose people resist the Gospel?

Have you ever personally resisted the Gospel? Have you ever resisted other light?

Why is it that so many poor and lowly people accept the Gospel?

Is the promise Jesus made in Luke 21:14 for us today?

What does salvation mean? (v. 12 sozo)

What does it mean to say that Jesus is the only source of salvation? 

The Name of Jesus

Acts 3:11-26

Peter preaches another powerful sermon. The message is about Jesus.
The name of Jesus is: 

Rejected
The Jewish people and their leaders rejected Jesus. He was the Prince of Life but they chose instead a murderer, Barabbas. What an unthinkable rejection! By rejecting the name of Jesus they were rejecting life. And still many would rather choose the one who comes to "kill, steal, and destroy" than the Prince of Life. Those who choose to follow Jesus bear the rejection that comes with the name. Jesus told his disciples not to be surprised if they were hated and rejected.

Exalted
But God has raised him up! Jesus was approved of God by many signs and wonders. Finally, he was ultimately approved by his resurrection from the dead. Jesus now sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty, reigning with him. So it is with everyone who takes Jesus as their own, obediently following him. Even if they are despised and rejected by humans they will finally be vindicated and exalted by God himself.

Powerful
None other could do the miracles Jesus did. Then he departed, taken into Heaven. Now the same signs follow those who believe and exercise faith in his name. There is no other name that brings healing to those born crippled -- only the name of Jesus.

Predicted
Jesus was promised from the beginning. He fulfilled the predictions of the prophets. His suffering was a crime against all that is right and good. Yet it was all part of God's plan. Jesus was God's answer to human needs.

Authoritative
Moses spoke of a prophet to whom all must either give heed or perish. That prophet is Jesus. His name is the name at which every knee shall bow. Everyone will confess that he is Lord. By the authority in the name of Jesus we continue, just like Peter and the other Apostles, to command people to repent. Jesus still has authority to forgive sins and will judge humanity in the last day.

Jewish 
Jesus is seed promised to Abraham. His name is a Jewish name, Joshua (or Yeshua), meaning Savior. He was sent to save his people from their sins. He was sent first to the Jews. Peter's sermon was preached to Jews. Jesus is a Jewish name. But also a human name. Jesus is the One in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed.

Saviour
Jesus was sent to bless us. How was he to bless us? By turning us away from our iniquities. Jesus came to "save his people from their sins." We do well to remember that the wonderful grace of Jesus is grace that brings repentance. His name is powerful enough to enable you to quit sinning.

Miracle at the Gate

Acts 3:1 ¶ Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. ² And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; ³ Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. ⁴ And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. ⁵ And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. ⁶ Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. ⁷ And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. ⁸ And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God: ¹⁰ And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

An amazing miracle

This wasn’t just any old miracle. The apostles performed many miracles (Acts 2:43). This was a particularly miraculous sort of miracle. This was the healing of someone born with a defect. Did the man even dare to hope that he would one day be able to walk?

When Jesus healed the man born blind it was said that no one had ever heard of something like that ever taking place in the history of humanity (John 9:32). Now the followers of Jesus had just performed an equally marvelous miracle. A man born lame was instantly healed!

As we witness, through Luke’s testimony, the healing of this man born lame we are inspired to worship our miracle-working God. Certainly we are left with questions. Why didn’t the apostles spend their lives traveling around healing everyone? Why don’t we see more of these healings today? Have you ever known or even heard of someone born lame that began to leap and walk suddenly? Ultimately our questions will not be answered in this life. What is certain is God’s goodness and power. He is worthy to be praised!

Were it not for God’s goodness no one would ever be healed, Jesus would never have walked amongst us healing those who were sick and oppressed of the devil, and we would have no hope that our prayers for healing and deliverance would find answers. God’s goodness is beyond question.

This most miraculous of miracles also leaves us without doubt that God has unlimited power. That means that no matter how dark the night there is reason for hope. In this miracle we see a glimpse of God’s good plan for all of creation. What has been crippled and broken for thousands of years will soon be restored, revitalized, made new.

Not just for one man at one gate

What God did for that man outside of the gate called Beautiful was truly unique. Yet, it wasn’t. This apostolic miracle is strikingly similar to the activities Jesus had been performing during his days in the flesh. The work Jesus began on Earth is continuing through his church.

Jesus came to save his people from their sins. But that’s not all he came to do. He cared for our physical needs. He healed physical bodies. He gave food to the hungry. This man begging outside of the temple could count on the generosity of the Jewish people. He could count on their generosity because they had been taught by God to take care of the poor. This gives us a glimpse of God’s agenda. God intends to meet our needs both physical and spiritual. These days he largely accomplishes this through his people.

A beauty yet to be seen

The gate called Beautiful was likely a gate known as the Corinthian gate. Unlike the other temple gates, which were made of gold and silver, this gate was fashioned from bronze. This gate was considered to be the most beautiful gate of all because of its amazing artwork.

Somehow this beggar’s life was like that gate, made more beautiful, in spite of its smallness, than the silver and gold lives that surrounded. This was a life tried by fire. This was a life fashioned through terrible suffering. This was a life marked by a degree of thankfulness that could not be realized in the more comfortable lives around him.

Michelle, a young woman known by the church, spent her life crippled. She suffered from Spina Bifida. Not once did she get to play like a normal little girl. She never ran and skinned her knee. She never learned to ride a bicycle. She never skipped or jumped rope. Boys never lined up at her door to court her. Don’t get me wrong, she lived a good life. She loved her family and her family loved her. She graduated high school and went on to college. But she needed constant care from her supportive family. This October, at the young age of 40, she left us.

Michelle waits. We wait. We live by faith in this in between time. Jesus is Lord. Yet, we pray that his will will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus is King. But we wait to crown him King of kings and Lord of the lords. His kingdom has come and yet his kingdom has not fully arrived. It’s as though we live in a land where two maps overlap. We see hints in shadows, or rather in bright spots – like the healing of this lame man, of how things should be, how things will be. Michelle waits. We wait.

We wait in authority. Just as the Apostles performed miracles in the authority of the name of Jesus, so can we. Signs and wonders still follow those who believe. We wait in faith.

Isaiah 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Wounded to be Healed and Separated to be United

Acts 2:37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 ¶ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

A wounding message
On the day of Pentecost Peter preached a wounding message. The word of God penetrated human hearts, causing pain. It was a good pain, the pain of the great Surgeon’s knife. He cut through layers of self-righteousness and self-justification to expose a deadly cancer – sin.

God is still doing this sort of work, a work only he can do. Human wisdom can persuade us, bringing us to the place of mental assent. Without the convicting power of the Spirit there is no salvation. God cuts us to the heart, hurting our hearts so that he can heal us.

God’s victims, the ones he had wounded, did not seek to explain away their guilt. They responded in the only fitting way. They asked, “What shall we do?”

Called to separation
The answer was repentance, and baptism in water and Spirit. Repentance was to be demonstrated by obedience, confessing the Lord Jesus Christ and being baptized in water. The promise of the Father, the gift of the Spirit was to follow. This gift of the Spirit must not be confused with the gifts of Spirit. All of God’s people are promised the Spirit himself – gifts will follow. The initial sign of his coming is speaking in new tongues (Acts 2, 10, 19).

No one could repent and receive the gift without cutting ties with their evil generation. The call to discipleship is a call to separation.

Joined to a new community
Every day God is adding people into his new community. The Christian life begins with separation. It ends in matchless unity. When we look at the Pentecostal church we see a church in love. This new community gives us a glimpse of what we could, should, and eventually will be forever – a selfless community ruled by love for God and neighbor. No envy, no greed, no mean jokes, no backbiting, no hatred, no pride, no fear, no poverty, just love. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this?

What does speaking in tongues mean?

Speaking in tongues is a sign that the Spirit has been poured out. This amazing sign is a testimony to the resurrection of the Lord and Christ. The Spirit baptism and the new tongues that follow are reminders that God's grace is being poured out in abundance, but not for long. Today is the day to call on the Christ and be saved. The day of the Lord is at the door.

Acts 2:14 ¶ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

What meaneth this? (14-21)

They are not drunk at 9 AM (Jews did not even normally have a meal before 9 AM)

This fulfilled Joel 2:28-32

Prophecy (including tongues), visions, and dreams are a sign of the last days Spirit outpouring. God gives his Spirit right after we crucified his Son! Jerusalem becomes the new Bethlehem.

Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Grace and Judgment are intertwined here. The Spirit baptism comes with fire and foreign tongues -- signs of judgment. Still, the judgment is not yet.

In this age of the Spirit everyone who calls on Jesus will be saved.

Acts 2:22 ¶ Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 ¶ Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Who is Jesus? (22-36) A godly man through whom God performed miracles.

This was not denied by the Jews of Jesus' day nor by later Jewish writers. They simply rejected the miracles as coming from Satan's power.

God planned his execution and you performed it through the lawless Romans

But God raised him up!

David prophesied about this (Psalm 16:8-11).

David is dead and buried, so verse 10 must not be about him.

Psalm 110:1 (vv 34-35)also predicted Christ's exaltation.

Jesus is Lord and Christ