Acts 2:37-47 "The Pentecost Response"
Notes
Transcript
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Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 2… today we observe VSS 37-47 and finish Chapter 2.
A quick recap…
In the past two weeks, we saw the birth of the church, as the 120 disciples waited in Jerusalem, as Jesus instructed them… for the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Which they received at the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Gk. “Pentecost”)…a harvest festival.
The Holy Spirit descended with accompanying signs that testified that He was God… that God was in their midst…
A sound from heaven, as of or ‘like’ a rushing mighty wind.
Tongues as of or ‘like’ fire that separated and rested on each of them.
And, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in known languages of 15 different countries where devout Jewish Pilgrims had travelled from to come to Jerusalem for this feast.
Articulating clearly… the mighty deeds of God.
The religious Jews gathered… amazed and perplexed… and the crowd was divided…
Some wanted to understand and asked, “Whatever could this mean?”
While others mocked and suggested the disciples were drunk on wine.
This all set the stage for Peter’s first sermon… which he… now filled with the Holy Spirit… boldly proclaimed.
Peter explained the disciples were not drunk… and shared scriptures in Joel and Psalms… that were being fulfilled before their eyes.
Fulfilled prophecy is a defining factor that separates and elevates Christianity as the only true faith.
Peter boldly spoke truth in love… these devout Jews were guilty of witnessing Jesus ministry… which was proven by God through miracles, wonders, and signs… yet they rejected Jesus and had Him crucified.
And, as Peter shared Ps 110:1… Jesus in heaven, seated at the right hand of God, until the day that His enemies are made His footstool.
These devout Jews now realize they are God’s enemies for rejecting Jesus… and they are cut to the heart.
Peter concluded his sermon instructing in V36, summarizing and instructing… “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Today, we pick up in V37 to look at the response of the religious Jews to Peter’s message… Peter’s further instruction… and the result.
The Title of today’s message is “The Pentecost Response.”
Let’s Pray!
Acts 2:37-39 “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
The response of these Religious Jews was miraculous...
It’s amazing that these Jews had a positive response at all.
V5 states these were “devout” Jewish men.
Devout by def. means “taking hold of well.”
They were devoted to the God of the OT…Yahweh… Yehovah.
They were religiously pious towards Judaism… and someone who is religious, but does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ… often are misled into thinking that their religion will save them.
Church doesn’t save you… tithing… even good works… none of these save…
Only saying “yes” to Jesus Christ… submit to Him as Lord and Savior… only that saves.
In Matt 7:13-14 Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
In Jn 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
In Jn 10:9 Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Rom 10:9 “… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
You must personally come before Jesus and confess, ‘I believe… you are the Christ… my Savior.’
And, these religiously pious Jews who had travelled many miles from at least 15 countries… now they are realizing their religion… Judaism… lacks the power to save.
They are cut to the heart knowing what their lawless hands did.
Just 50 some days prior, many of these same Jews likely shouted, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him.”
It’s miraculous they didn’t shout “Crucify Him” towards Peter after his first sermon.
We read in V37, “… they were cut to the heart…” in part because of Peter’s message… more… a work of the Holy Spirit.
Prior to me preaching a message… I pray… I labor in the word… and, most important… I’m led by the Spirit…
And the Holy Spirit knows… intimately… what’s happening in your lives.
So, if you’re ever cut to the heart when I preach… that’s God.
The word “cut” in Gk. is katanussō and it’s only used here in the NT.
By def. it means to “pierce thoroughly” or “agitate violently.”
“To pain the mind sharply, esp. the emotion of sorrow.”
It’s being pierced to your moral core where you hesitate moving forward because you’ve been confronted with a truth… you cannot deny.
Luke vividly pictures this feeling and these thoughts as having one’s heart cut.
Being cut to the heart is that terrible weight of burden caused by some former mistake… the kind of burden you lose sleep over.
And, these Jews were feeling it. It was hitting them…
Jesus… the teacher… the miracle worker… the one who’s ministry had accompanying signs and wonders…
They realized in their hard heartedness… they took Jesus “by lawless hands” and killed their Messiah… their Savior…
In rejecting Jesus they became enemies of God…
Now… under a heavy weight of conviction… they ask, “Brothers, what should we do?”
Their religious sacrificial system will NOT save. They must be broken before God…
Ps 51:17 states“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.”
Contrite- by def. “crushed into powder.”
Ps 34:18 “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
And, as these Jews lay down all they know… and come to a place of brokenness before the Lord… now God will save.
A testimony not so different from our own. Many of us formerly mocked Jesus… we rejected Jesus… but we too came to a place of brokenness… turned to Jesus… and were saved.
Col 1:21 states, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled...”
In V37, these devout Jews now ask a second question.
First, they asked, “Whatever could this mean?” (V12) in response to the signs and wonders.
Now, accepting Peter’s reply… and recognizing they messed up… they ask V37 “… what shall we do?”
They look for what to do… Judaism and the majority of religious systems look for salvation in “doing.”
Religion so often promotes good works… good deeds… being a good person and doing good things as the means for salvation… but it’s not.
A crowd of Jews, after the multiplication of the loaves, in John 6:28-29 asked a similar question… “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
Man has responsibility to do something to be saved, but it’s not works… “believe in Him whom He sent.”
Only faith in Jesus Christ… will save.
In V38, Peter answers their question… here’s what you do… “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
VSS 38-39 include two commands or imperatives (‘repent’ and ‘be baptized’)… and some accompanying instructions that have led to several false teachings.
So, we are going to take a moment to look at these things so you are not… as Paul wrote to the Colossians… “moved away from the hope of the gospel”… deceived “with persuasive words.”
Paul warned Christians in about every city he wrote to about false teachings (Romans, Colossians, Corinthians, Ephesians…)
So, let’s look at how some of Peter’s words have been misinterpreted.
Peter tells them to do two things: Repent and be baptized.
Which is probably best to think of as Step 1 and Step 2.
Step 1 repent and your sins will be forgiven. Then, Step 2… get baptized because you have been forgiven. (more on this in a moment).
The word “Repent”… Gk. mĕtanŏĕō- “to change one’s mind or purpose”… “to think differently.” Emphasizing thinking… outlook.
Today, the word ‘repent’ largely holds a negative connotation likely caused by overzealous Preachers… who were heavy on truth… and light on love.
And, the good and pure intent of repentance has been skewed by human flaw.
But, it’s not a dirty word… it’s an important word used throughout the whole bible 68x… it’s a call to turn to God.
11x in 10 Chapters of Acts, we will see the word “repent” or “repentance.” It’s thematic.
Truly… repentance is a beautiful action.
Various scholars have called “repentance” the ‘first word of the Gospel.”
John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministries with this message… Matt 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
In Luke’s rendition of the great commission, Lk 24:47, Jesus said, “… repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
In the context of Acts 2, these devout Jews needed to turn from their rejection of Jesus to faith in Jesus.
They needed to repent… to “think differently” about Jesus, and today… this still holds true.
Sadly, people today take this easy concept and apply it out of order?
Man makes this idea of repentance about what you do FIRST before coming to God.
They make repentance about getting rid of all the sinful things in one’s life before you can come to God.
That’s wrong. Repentance describes what coming to God is.
It’s turning to God.
Come to God… He will meet you in your mess… and then… He will clean you up.
Jesus prayed, John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Repent… turn to God… and then He will wash you by the water of His word.
The second instruction on what to do… V38 “...let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...”
This was a radical instruction for devout Jews, because baptism was reserved for gentiles converting to Judaism.
Baptism signified their “cleansed” nature.
Jews didn’t normally get baptized. In fact, the words “baptism” or “baptized” don’t appear in the bible until Matt 3.
Baptism… as an ordinance… did not appear in the OT… except as a type or shadow (like Noah according to 1 Pet 21).
But, in practice… Baptism is a NT ordinance… that Jesus modeled… and then instructed in His Great Commission.
Matt 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…”
The Great Commission is one imperative and three participles.
The imperative or ‘command’ is “make disciples”…
...explained by three participles that describe how we make disciples… “Go,” “Baptize,” and “Teach.”
And, as we continue in Acts, we will see that Peter and the disciples live out this great commission.
They don’t just preach a message, they follow through and make disciples.
In V38, notice Peter instructs baptism “in the name of Jesus” which has caused some confusion.
We just read in the Great Commission, Jesus said “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”…
But, in Act 2:38 Peter said, “... be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...”
So, which is it? I lean towards baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and here’s why…
In the Great Commission Jesus instructed… “make disciples of all nations.”
The nations or ethnos… were Gentiles… and they didn’t know the God of the OT, nor the Holy Spirit… so they should be baptized by the names of all three members of the Godhead.
In Acts, Peter told the Jews to get baptized in Jesus’ name only.
Because, these devout Jews already knew of and believed in God the Father and the Holy Spirit…
To be complete, they needed to add Jesus and express faith in Him.
I’m not too caught up on this though… if you were baptized either in Jesus’ name, or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… there is unity in the trinity… for these three are one.
But, where was your heart when you got baptized?
You could get baptized 10x, read your bible while doing handstands, and help 50 old ladies with their groceries, but none of these things save.
Faith saves… not works.
You should get baptized because you believe in Jesus… because He modeled getting baptized… and because He said to.
And, if you got baptized in Jesus’ name only, and feel convicted to get baptized by all three names… then get baptized again. It’s ok!
Notice also the purpose for baptism in V38… Baptism is “for the remission [or forgiveness] of sins.”
At first glance, it may seem this is teaching “baptismal regeneration” or salvation by baptism, which is far from true.
We’ve already looked at numerous verses today that stated… faith in Jesus saves. Just faith alone.
Consider the thief on the cross… he called upon Jesus as “Lord” or Master… was never baptized… and Jesus told the thief, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Scholars explain “for the remission of sins” in one of two ways.
First, the word “for” could be rendered as “on the basis of” or “on account of.”
For ex., Billy the Kid was “Wanted for the Murder of Sheriff Brady.”
‘For’ would be rendered “on account of.”
We don’t interpret the poster saying “Billy the Kid Wanted to Murder Sheriff Brady.”
We don’t baptize to forgive sins. Baptism is done on account of sin which is forgiven by repentance.
Baptism is what follows forgiveness. It’s an outward sign of what has happened in one’s heart.
The second way baptism… for the remission of sins… can be understood, is this is a concept that should be placed in parentheses based upon the grammar in Greek… specifically the singular and plural verbs and nouns in this sentence.
This get’s a little heady, so I have a slide of Acts 2:38 to show you how this would be rendered.
“Repent, (and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ) for the remission of sins..."
Repent for the remission or forgiveness of sins.
Baptism as a parenthetical… is something that should be done, but is not tied to forgiveness of sins.
A bit heady, but important because I have talked to well meaning Christians who believe one must be baptized to be saved.
This is a works based salvation philosophy, and inconsistent with scripture.
For you and I… it’s important to know the word, because if you don’t…
There may come a day when some well intended Christian leads you down a path of distorted, destructive and just plain weird doctrines.
It happened in the early church…and, it is still happening today.
When people don’t know what the true word says, they are sometimes deceived by a counterfeit.
So, spend time in the word now… because when you know the truth… you’ll be able to spot the counterfeit.
This false teaching of salvation by baptism is just one of many false teachings circulating in the church today.
Quickly wrapping up V38… upon Repentance and baptism… these devout Jews… would then “Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
And, it’s really that simple. Faith and reception of the Holy Spirit is not a tall task…
You don’t have to knock on a hundred doors… be a member at a specific church… give a certain amount of tithe… or any other works…
It’s a simple promise… you just need to believer and receive.
And, it is a promise… Look at V39 “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Those final three words “God will call” points to God’s sovereignty which is balanced with man’s responsibility (Repent) in V38.
V23 also displays the interplay between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility.
But the main idea of this verse is salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit are God’s promised to all who have faith in Jesus Christ.
To you (the devout Jews), your children (Jewish people), and all who are afar off (Gentiles).
This is the promise of Joel 2 that Peter spoke of in V17… “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh…” Jew and Gentile alike.
Note: this is not teaching “household salvation”- a false teaching that children of believing parents are automatically saved.
Children have a personal responsibility to come to Christ personally.
Spurgeon believed a child of 5 years… could make a decision for the Lord, and I would agree.
And, this reminds me of the difficult question… ‘what if a child dies before they have understanding of who Jesus is?’
Would not a loving and merciful God welcome a child into heaven? And, I would say “yes.” Here’s why:
Jewish tradition speaks about an “age of accountability” which likely ties to the Bar Mitzvah at age 13 when a child becomes a Jewish adult…
While plausible, the Bible does not directly support this tradition, but it is plausible.
I wouldn’t hold to age 13 specifically though… one scholar wrote, “It likely varies from child to child. A child has passed the age of accountability once he or she is capable of making a faith decision for or against Christ.”
So, parents, talk to your kids… share the Gospel with them and ask them if they want to welcome Jesus into their hearts.
Peter said, anyone who repents for the forgiveness of sins shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit… including your children.
Now, there is one OT verse that I find very hopeful in support of God accepting children before an age of accountability into heaven..
After David sinned with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah… the LORD judged David because, as Nathan the Prophet stated, “by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme.”
And, the judgment was hard… it fell on the child who became ill and died.
David pleaded with God, fasted, didn’t sleep, but on the seventh day the child died.
When David was informed the child died, he arose, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and “he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.”
Then he ate, and his servants were confused why he would eat now since the child died. Wouldn’t he still mourn?
Listen to David’s reply in 2 Sam 12:22-23 “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
David had full faith that upon David’s own death, he would go to him… he would go to where the child was… heaven.
A very hopeful verse for any parent who has lost a child.
Back to Acts… after Peter’s sermon and instructions… we now see the result…
Acts 2:40 “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
Peter had much to say to these devout Jews who were turning their hearts to Jesus.
He “testified and exhorted them”… he bore witness and pleaded with them for a long time to be saved from “this perverse generation.”
This corrupt generation… who Peter spoke about in V23 & 36… “lawless hands” that crucified and put to death Jesus.
Nationally, a grave judgment would fall upon Israel…
In 70 A.D. Rome killed many Jews… destroyed their city and temple, and exiled them from Israel in attempt to shatter their national identity.
A heart wrenching judgement.
But, the Israelites would face an even greater judgment…
In the Epistle to the Hebrews… very relevant to Peter’s plea… we read in Heb 10:26-31 “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Deliberate sin is knowing the truth and still rejecting it. Israel was without excuse… they were a “perverse generation” and judgment was knocking at the door.
So, Peter pleads with these devout Jews… there will be a national judgment, but you individually can come to Jesus and be saved.
And, we read in V41…
Acts 2:41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
Isn’t this a beautiful picture?
Millions of Jews gathered in Israel for Pentecost… and on this day… 3000 souls gave their lives to Jesus… and the church grew from 120 to 3120.
Just the beginning of fulfilling Jesus’ promise, “I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).
After conversion, then the disciples baptized these 3000 souls.
If all 120 disciples baptized these 3000, that would be 25 baptisms per disciple.
If only the 12 Apostles baptized… 250 baptisms per Apostle! A lot of dunking!
If you google “largest baptism in America” you’ll come across a 1990 L.A. Times article talking about a Harvest Crusade in Costa Mesa, CA where an estimated 5000 people were baptized.
That was a Calvary Chapel/ Greg Laurie Harvest Crusade… possibly the largest baptism in American history.
Part of our rich Calvary Chapel history. And, blessed are you if you lived in such a time of revival... like the Jesus Movement…
There are times when God pours out His Spirit and people flock to the church.
I’ve never known a time like that. But, I long for the day!
Those California churches had the advantage of the ocean to baptize all people.
But, in Jerusalem… no ocean… no lake… We are not sure HOW the Apostles baptized these 3000 people.
This seems like an opportune time to sprinkle… I think I’d line them up and do a mass sprinkling… maybe use some buckets… or an early-invention super soaker.
One idea, is the baptisms were done in ceremonial cleansing pools called mikvah’s… possibly these 3000 souls were baptized in these waters… but, we’re not sure.
Interesting side-note observation… In Exodus 32… when Moses descended Mt Sinai with the Ten Commandments… the Jews were in idolatry of the golden calf and 3000 died that day the law was given…
Now… as the Holy Spirit descends… many devout Jews turn to Jesus and 3000 are saved as a New Testament begins… as the Church Age… the Age of Grace is ushered in…
Coincidence? I’ll let you discern.
Starting in V42, we now see the model of the early church…
Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
What was important for the early church?
They continued steadfastly, by def. “to attend constantly”… They continually devoted themselves to four things…
The Apostles Doctrine: doctrine means “teaching.” They were a bible teaching church.
Daily, their minds were being blown as they were reading the OT with new eyes, and discovering Jesus in the OT.
They also remembered the teachings of Jesus… which the Holy Spirit would later inspire them to transcribe into the NT we have today.
Fellowship: kŏinōnia- by def. fellowship, partnership, communion.
These new believers intertwined their lives with other believers… in every way… time, resources, spiritual maturity… they were in one accord.
Leaning on each other’s spiritual gifts… the hand’s and feet working together in one accord.
If you are not in fellowship… get in fellowship… if you’re not sure how… ask.
Breaking of Bread: Depending on the context… ‘breaking of bread’ could refer either to ‘The Lord’s Supper’ or ‘Common Meals.’
Most likely in this context we are referring to “Communion”… “The Lord’s Supper.”
They looked back to Jesus’ sacrifice…
They looked inward to examine themselves to make sure they were taking communion in a worthy manner…
And, they looked forward to Christ’s return.
Prayers: All kinds of prayers to communicate to God.
Prayers of praise.
Prayers for each other.
Prayers for divine guidance.
Prayers for provisions.
Prayers for strength.
Many and all kinds of prayers they raised continuously and steadfastly.
These four things (teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer)… are a model for the church.
If the church get’s too slick… too fancy… to business minded… and drifts from these core activities… is it still the church as God intended?
Rev 2-3 outlines many churches that became other then a model church.
As these 3000 new converts continued steadfastly in these four activities… their profession of Christ would be proven… they would bear much fruit… V43…
Acts 2:43 “Then fear [reverence of God… reverential awe] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
As they continued steadfastly… so did God.
God kept showing up in many and mighty ways.
And, if you are sold out to the Christian walk… if you’ve put to death the old man… and you’re life is devoted to Jesus… you will see God show up in your life in many and mighty ways too.
Your testimony will be full of God stories.
I’ve lost track of how many ‘stones of remembrance’ of God’s faithfulness… have been placed in my testimony.
Acts 2:44-45 “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.”
As the Jewish believers professed Christ, they initiated a sharing system of material possessions… and it’s difficult to say why.
According to V47, they had “favor with all the people,” so they were not persecuted yet. If they had been persecuted, it would make sense if they pooled resources to survive.
Possibly, they expected an immediate return of the Lord for Him to establish His kingdom, so they became very open handed… but we really don’t know why this communal living began.
And, problems resulted from willingly sharing their resources…
Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit… Acts 5.
The Grecian Widows feeling neglected… Acts 6.
The early church wasn’t perfect… no church is, but still they were in “one accord”… look at V46…
Acts 2:46 “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Their religious life consisted of devotion that was continuous and daily…
They were in ‘one accord’… united and in harmony.
These Jewish believers held on to their Judaic roots and still attended temple worship… for now… eventually either by choice or when the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D… temple worship would end.
Their personal lives consisted of breaking bread… eating meals with gladness and simplicity… they were content…
And, they shared the various homes of other believers… for meals and no doubt house churches.
And, they praised God… their spiritual eyes were opened… they knew who their Messiah was… and they were full of praise!
William MacDonald wrote, “Life became an anthem of praise and a psalm of thanksgiving…” Beautiful.
When your spiritual eyes opened… were you any different?
5x in Acts we read the word “Joy” which we don’t read here, but certainly the emotion is present.
While these early believers initially had “favor with all the people”… this would be short lived… persecution would come…
Even to the point that Gentiles from Macedonia and Achaia would take up a collection “for the poor among the saints” in Jerusalem (Rom 15:26).
But, even persecution did not not defeat God’s work.
Complacency is a greater enemy to the church then persecution.
So, fight the good fight daily… don’t get complacent.
In the second half of V47, Luke closes with some of my favorite words in the whole Bible.
“And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
It was the Lord… not the plans of man that drew people to the church.
Daily… the number of believers was increasing… daily more and more people were getting saved.
What a magnificent beginning to the early church… Christ’s Bride.
Today, as we continue steadfastly… in the word, fellowship, communion, prayers…
As we live our lives full of joy… in one accord… in praise…
Can we not expect to see the same result in Warsaw… Winona Lake and surrounding towns?
Look around… God is still building His church in 2022.
What an amazing God we serve.
Let’s pray and praise His name now.
If you are here today, and you’ve never turned to God… repent in the purest sense of the word… change your mind about Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior today.
If you need prayer for anything… there are many people who want to pray for and with you today.
God be with you all as you continue steadfastly this week ahead.