Gospel Power
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Rena, age three, was sitting with her parents during a baptismal service one Sunday evening, which was a totally new experience for her. Taking it all in, she asked her mom: “Why did Pastor Bob push that guy in the water?”
Her mother quietly tried to explain, but Rena wasn’t satisfied. Later that night her mom and dad tried again to explain what baptism is all about. They talked about sin and how when people decide to live for Jesus and “do good” they want everyone to know. So they get baptized. They went on to explain that the water symbolizes Jesus’ washing away people’s sin - and then they come out “clean” – and then they try to be “good.”
However, Rena’s parent’s realized they’d failed again when Rena asked, “Well, why didn’t Pastor Bob just spank him?”
Well baptism is about a whole lot more than just punishing someone– and just trying to get them to do good – to do better!
In Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost – an annual harvest festival that occurs 7 weeks after Passover and is held on the 50th day – Peter and the disciples were gathered together (possibly in the Upper Room) – and we’re told in Acts 2:2-4 …
And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
And hearing this great commotion - a huge crowd gathered outside where they were and people from all over the world began hearing the disciples speaking in their own languages. And picking up in Acts 2:12-24 we’re told…
And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.”
But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.
“For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;
but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams;
Even on My bondslaves, both men and women,
I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit
And they shall prophesy.
‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above
And signs on the earth below,
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
‘The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood,
Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come.
‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—
this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
“But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
And in Acts 2:33-36 …
“Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.
“For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Peter – in his 1st sermon - preached Jesus and the Gospel message!
And then the people asked…Acts 2:37 …and Peter said Acts 2:38 …
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
I want you to notice 4 things this morning:
1. They were pierced to the heart.
1. They were pierced to the heart.
- The preaching of the Gospel – the hearing of the Gospel is what pierces the heart!
- The verb cut, pierce (katenygēsan) used here means “to strike or prick violently, to stun.”
- The convicting work of the Spirit in their hearts was great!
2. They were told to repent.
2. They were told to repent.
- Th verb (metanoēsate) used here means “change your outlook,” or “have a change of heart; reverse the direction of your life.”
- This obviously results in a change of conduct, but the emphasis here is on the mind or outlook. The Jews had rejected Jesus; now they were to trust in Him.
- And this would lead them to ask God for forgiveness for their sins.
3. They were told to be baptized.
3. They were told to be baptized.
- To be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ – which would now outwardly demonstrate their identification with Jesus Christ!
4. They were told they would receive the Holy Spirit.
4. They were told they would receive the Holy Spirit.
- He would now come to take up residence in their very lives!
And we’re told that about 3000 people came to personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that day = and were baptized! Their lives were forever changed! Wow! What a glorious day!
The Gospel is still doing this today – piercing hearts – cutting hearts, pricking, stunning – and convicting people to repent of their sins and to ask God to forgive them for their sins = and changing the direction of their lives – and placing their faith and trust in Jesus!
And this is why you and I need to be doing everything we can to tell others about Jesus – to reach others for Jesus…
Brother Tim is going to come now and bring a challenge to everyone of us regarding WHO’S YOUR ONE YOUR ONE…
Invitation
Has the Gospel pierced your heart? Has it led you to repent of your sins – to ask God to forgive you for your sins? And have you been baptized – showing your identification with Jesus Christ? And now having the Holy Spirit living inside of you?
If so I rejoice with you today = Because you have life (eternal and abundant) and you have peace with God!
If not, I say with Peter…Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins: and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!
And figure out WHO’S YOUR ONE and be part of God’s work to bring them to Christ!