We have examined Christ’s death and resurrection of our Savior, and what He accomplished on the Cross. (See What Did Christ Accomplish on the Cross – parts one and two) – which culminated in Jesus’ ascension to heaven.
The Old Testament taught us about God’s creations. And we watched painfully as how humankind repeatedly turned away from Him. Yet, He always kept an outstretched arm – beseeching them with His love and the gift of His salvation coming through the Messiah, for 1500 years.
In the Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus shows up, the personification of Jehovah God. He laid down His life for our salvation – glorifying His Father, who in turn, glorified His Son. Subsequently, the resurrected Christ was elevated again to His rightful divinity at His Father’s right hand in Heaven. And Jesus was entrusted with the care of all God’s children, through the Holy Spirit.
For the remainder of the New Testament, we will explore the rest of what Christ wanted us to know. All of which is given to us by the apostles, through Holy Spirit inspiration.
We begin in the Bible book entitled The Acts of the Apostles, whose authorship is ascribed to the apostle Luke. It describes the formation of the early church when Jesus left. (He never really ‘leaves, He is always everywhere, like His Father), we are just referring to His body…)
After Jesus ascended, the 11 apostles returned to Jerusalem and stayed in an ‘upper room,’ that became their meeting place. Along with other disciples of Christ, this initial group numbered 120. It included the women who were at Jesus’ tomb, His mother, and His 4 brothers.
This new ‘church of Christ’ gathered in that upper room to pray. Peter addressed them, saying that Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Christ was a fulfilled prophecy pursuant to the apostle’s death. And he quoted a psalm to ask for divine retribution:
Pour out your rage on them, and let your burning anger overtake them. Make their fortification desolate; may no one live in their tents. Ps. 69:24 – 26. CSB
Peter also quoted another psalm about a mandate to replace Judas Iscariot’s vacancy left by his suicide, so that there would be twelve apostles once more. That new apostle was named Matthias.
Let his years be few; let someone else take his position. Ps. 109:8 NLT
On the day of Pentecost, (the 2nd annual harvest festival – celebrated fifty days after Passover), the church gathered in the upper room again:
Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:2 – 4. NLT
So, the church members are being empowered by the Holy Spirit to be able to speak in different languages – which they use, to praise God for His mighty works.
The commotion of the cacophony of different languages drew a curious crowd, many of whom were foreign travelers, amazed that these Hebrews spoke their language. Others thought that they were speaking gibberish, or that they were intoxicated.
Peter rebukes them, saying that it is far too early in the day to have been drinking. Then, he delivered his 1st sermon, beginning by declaring that this phenomenon is a fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. [1]
‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’ Acts 2:17 NLT
‘And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below – blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’ Acts 2:19 – 21. NLT
God is telling the crowd, through Peter, that the countdown has now commenced for the earth’s final days before the end of time, and for the redemption of His children.
And Peter says that this ‘speaking in tongues’ is the first manifestation of Jehovah’s power, through the Holy Spirit, to facilitate that end.
Peter continues his preaching, saying that God had sent His Son to perform miracles so that they might believe. But that they killed Him instead. He also informed them that some of the members of this first church had actually seen the resurrected Christ.
Finally, Peter said that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was proof that Jesus was now at the right hand of His Father. Then, he upbraids them again for their complicity in Christ’s crucifixion.
In response, the crowd grew sorrowful and regretful, and they plead to Peter to tell them how to right their wrong. He answers:
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away – all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38, 39. NLT
Three thousand people were added to the ‘first church’ that day:
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.
And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42 – 47. NLT
Now the adventures begin…
Peter and John went to the Temple to pray. As they arrived, they came upon a crippled man who was begging for alms. Peter answers:
“I don’t have any silver of gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Act 3:6 NLT
The man was healed! He followed Peter and John into the temple, leaping and praising God. Temple parishioners gathered around this ‘healer.’
Peter protests, saying that God did the healing, glorifying the Son. The healing was done in Jesus’ name through the recipient’s faith in it.
Then, he brings both the nature of Christ, as well as how this crowd had dealt with Him, into a sharp and telling focus:
“This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!’ Acts 3:13 – 15. NLT
Like any good preacher, Peter lets his audience feel their sin for a few moments, (to see their lack and their need). Then, he offers them salvation:
“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah – that he must suffer these things.
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.” Acts 3:17 – 21. NLT
“You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on the earth will be blessed.’” Acts 3:25 NLT
Peter is saying that Jehovah intended for the Jews to receive salvation first, so, he is re-extending His invitation.
And the number of the new congregants swelled to 5000…
Goodnight and God Bless.
[1] Jl. 2:28 – 32.