I submit to us that the Preaching of the Gospel, the Teaching of the Text,the Sounding of the Script,Should Effect a Host of Heavenly Activity Among the Hearers of the Word! Yet, I hasten to add this appendage, the Ideal is seldom Realized in the Realm of Our Here and Now.
A Host of Heavenly Activity Should Follow the Effective Enunciation of Eternal Truths, however, in a realistic sense, A Horde of Hellish Antagonism is most often triggered. Because a gathering of men and women, resembling holy iciles, sit aloof, as if the Word has no relevance or applicability to them. But, of course it has relevance to that rank sinner over there, or to those folk seated back there; but, oh no!, not to them! Or perhaps, more often than not, some have become so intoxicatedly angry that they would bite and gnaw on the back of the pew in front of them, provided the act would not be viewed and construed as a sign of demon possession!
Now the vital issue of concern to all of us is: What Act or Activity Follows the SpokenWord? Following the Public Proclamation of the Lecture or Lesson, the Exposition or Exegesis, or the Sermon or Message, the question is: What Happens?
Is there a protracted period of prescribed silence, in which heads are bowed and eyes are closed in pretended prayer? Or does the termination of the oral discourse signal the start of orchestrated key rattling, feet shuffling and the assuming of the ready-to-dismiss position? Does it communicate to a few weary travellers the end of restful sleep and slumber? Does the message’s conclusion usher in the beginning of a muscical concert by the choir and others who wish to perform; or, does it signal the commencement of the period of socializing among the congregants? Perhaps, it signals the formation of a line of well-wishers and congratulators, who crowd the podium to pay their respects or shake the preacher’s hand? Maybe, in many quarters of Christendom, One or Many of those Responsive Activities Follow the Spoken Word.
But the issue is: What Should Happen After the Gospel Has Been Promulgated? Or, What Is God’s Modus Operandi(Method of Operating) once the Message Is Over? After the Utterance of the Lecture, after the Imparting of the Lesson, following the Divulging of the Message, What Really Should be Happening?
Our Target Text Sequences Eight(8) Activities that Followed Peter’s Discourse. I have conveniently captioned them in the repetition of the consonant sound of the letter "C". They are C- Words. They all begin with the Letter "C."
Lucas, or Luke the General Practioner says in Verse 37, "Now When," or "After they heard" there Followed A Conviction that surfaced in A Conversation.
1. Therefore, First of all, Let’s Consider This Conviction.
Now you need to know that this Past Tense Verb translated as "were pricked" in Verse 37, is found in no other place in the NT but right here in our Text. So it needs some Clarification. The Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, had penetrated their hearts or minds so thoroughly that it caused Anxiety to arise from the Awareness of Their Guilt. For the Holy Spirit, thru Peter, had accused them of taking(in Verse 23) with wicked hands Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God, who was sinless and guiltless, and crucifying and slaying Him. From Hearing the Word, they discovered Their Guilt. And with this guilt also came Distress of Mind over the Anticipated Results of their sin. They were Convinced beyond any shadow of doubt that they were guilty of the blood of a righteous, holy, just and innocent Man, Christ Jesus. Oh yes, Jesus was right when He said: "And when He(Holy Spirit) is come, He will convict the world of sin because they believe not on Me, and of righteousness because I go to My Father."
And so, This Conviction manifested itself in A Conversation which they initiated. In Verse 37, they asked Peter and the Eleven Standing Apostles, "Men and brethren, What Shall We Do?" In other words, tell us what act we can perform in the very near future, perhaps within the next five minutes? Seeing that we are now aware of our guilt, and of the subsequent act of God in judgment, tell us, brethren, what act shall we perform to appease the wrath of God?
Yes, Conviction that issues in the question "What shall we do? ought to be Our First Response Following the Message; for surely, something has been pointed out in the Message of which each of us Has Fallen Short! Therefore, following the Message, what each of us need to be asking ourselves is: What shall I do with My Guilt? What shall I do with My Distress of Mind? What shall I do with My Sin-Problem? This must become a time of yielding ourselves to the perfect ministry of the Holy Spirit, in order that He may point out and correct or clarify whatever is wrong or not understood. I would that we would use the moments following the Message in Yielded Stillness to the Ministry of the Spirit of God.
Let us concentrate on ourselves. Let us ask, What shall I do, O Spirit of God, in response to what You have spoken thru the mouth of the messenger to my spirit? Get Still and Know that He is God!!!
Well, This Conviction in the form of a question needed some Clarification.
2. Therefore, Second, Let’s Consider The Clarifica-
tion Given By Peter in Verse 38-40.
Brother Peter, we don’t know what to do; so could you Clarify, Make It Clear and Understandable so as to free us from this Confusion of Mind? Peter seems to say to them in Verse 38, "I’m glad you asked. This is what you must do. Repent, and be baptized ..." In a word, "Be saved from this crooked generation ..."
As it related to being saved, you only need to Repent One Time, to turn once to face Jesus, for Only A Look at Jesus can turn you away from sin and bring eternal salvation. Says Jesus, "Look unto Me and be ye saved." You need only repent one time because "godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of;" whereas "the sorrow of the world works death."
Repent and then Be Dipped Once in Dedication to the Name of Jesus Christ. In other words, Become the Possession of and Come Under the Protection of Jesus by being Baptized in His Name.
And the reason you need to Be Dipped is so that You might Receive Forgiveness of Your Sins. Being covered symbolically in water signifies you have come under the Protection of His Name. Therefore, the Wrath and Penalty and Curse and Consequences of your Sinfulness will be Canceled in a Watery Grave.
And equally as important as being Forgiven is Receiving in the near future the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
The basis for the giving of the Holy Spirit is the Promise; God’s Word of Promise or His Pledge is extended to, directed to you and your children. So, that’s why You Must Repent, Be Baptized and be Saved From the Company of this Crooked Generation.
I tell you, when eternal truths are simplified or Clarified like that, Conversion is bound to Follow, as it did in Verse 41.
3. So, Third, Let’s Consider Conversion.
Those who Gladly Welcomed Peter’s Clarification were Dipped into the Possession and Power of the Name of Jesus Christ. About 3,000 allowed themselves to be Placed before the Church for Membership by the Lord. The Mood of the verb "were added" is Passive, de-
noting the Lord Himself Presented Them for Church Membership.
Conversions Are To Follow The Message.
In order to fit and function in the Church and in the Kingdom of God, Changes Must Occur!. A 220 volt AC will not run from a 120 volt circuit. The 120 must be Converted to 220. So, to fit and function in this new environment and order, Natures are Changed, Names are Changed, Positions are Changed, Make-Ups are Changed, Thought-Patterns are Changed, Core Beliefs are Changed, Attitudes are Changed, Power Sources are Changed. The work of Converting Souls to Adapt to a New Kingdom, King, Rule, Reach and Righteousness follows the Message.
And Conversion ought to result in Continuance as it did in Verse 42.
4. So, Fourth, I Submit that Continuance Should Follow the Spoken Word.
For In Spite of Difficulties, Hindrances and Changing Conditions, Luke says "They Continued Steadfastly."
In Four(4) Locations or Spiritual Spheres must the Converted Steadfastly Continue.
1. In the realm of the Apostles’ Teaching.
a. Personal Bible Study and Bible Study with the Assembled Church
2. In the realm of Fellowship(Association or Close Relationship with Each Other).Worship; Interpersonal
3. In the realm of The Lord’s Supper and Fellowship Meals.
4. In the realm of the Prayers - the Pattern and Practice Prescribed by Jesus.
a) Quiet Time
b) Intercessory Prayer
c) Prayer with the Assembled Church
The Principle of Continuance!
And Continuance should result in the Celebrity of God as it did in Verse 43.
5. So, Fifth, Let’s Consider The Celebrity of God.
Continuance resulted in Two Phenonmena:
1. A Constant Sense of Awe - Fear(Phobos)
2. God’s Authentic Autograph: He Signed His Name thru Signs and Wonders by using the Apostles as His Pen for Writting His Name!
God Became the Celebrity of the Church. The Main Attraction. The Star of the Show. People sought His Autograph!!!
The Celebrity of God issued in Commonality among Church Members.
6. So, Sixth, Commonality Ought to Follow the Message as it did in Verses 44 and 45.
1. A Commonality of Belief.
2. A Commonality of Unity.
3. A Commonality of Substance.
Commonality makes Good Conversation!
7. So, Seventh, Let’s Consider Their Conversation as outlined in Verses 46-47a.
Their Conversation consisted of a Lifestyle of:
1. Continual One-Mindedness : One Accord
2. Gladness - The Joy of Salvation
3. Purpose - Singleness of Heart
4. Continual Praise - Praising God
5. Receieving Favors from all kinds of Folk
And when Our Conversation, our Lifestyle Pleases the Lord, He Will Be Constant!
8. So, Eighth, Let’s Consider The Lord’s Constancy as disclosed in the Last Part of Verse 47.
The Principle here revealed is this: When Conviction Clarification, Conversion, Continuance, the Celebrity of God, Commonality among Members, and Christ-Honoring Conversation Follow the Message; then The Lord Will Be Constant!!!
Constant in:
a. His Love
b. His Faithfulness
c. His Promises
d. His Addition
e. His Salvation
Let’s Practice the Principle of these Eight "C" Words; and watch God, not only Add to This Church Body Daily, but also Add To You Personally On a Daily Basis.
The Lord Will Add To You:
Daily Bread Daily Favors
Daily Health Daily Strength
Daily Joy Daily Hope
Daily Finances Daily Deliverance
When the Message Is Over, Continue; and the Lord Will Remain Constant!
