The Book of Acts
Acts 2:39-42
Verse 39
Acts 2:39
“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.”
NKJV
This promise refers to what he has just mentioned – salvation,
forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians
1:3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
in Christ,” NKJV
This promise wasn’t just to that generation but to all future
generations. This includes every individual who would be subject to
the gospel call by submitting to the gospel plan of salvation. (II
Thessalonians 2:13-14) “But we are bound to give thanks to God
always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the
beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the
Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our
gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This would include both Jews and Gentiles. (Ephesians 2:13, 17)
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought
near by the blood of Christ.
17And
He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who
were near.”
NKJV
Verse 40
Acts 2:40
“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying,
‘Be saved from this perverse generation.”
NKJV
Luke only recorded a part of Peter’s sermon. He kept on preaching
by way of testifying and exhorting. This was done solemnly and
earnestly. He told them to “save themselves.” This should once and
for all put to rest the false idea that one can do nothing toward
saving himself. Peter had given his listeners the remedy for the
forgiveness of sins. Now it was up to them to comply with it. When
they did, they “saved themselves.” They did not earn or merit their
salvation when they repented and were baptized, but these were the
conditions that had to be met to accept the salvation that was
offered. “Crooked generation” – That generation, as
well as every wicked generation, will be destroyed eternally in
hell. (Luke 11:29-32) (Matthew 23:33) “Serpents, brood of vipers!
How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”
NKJV
Verse 41
Acts 2:41
“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day
about three thousand souls were added to them.”
NKJV
Those who had cried out, “what shall we do?” were glad to hear
Peter’s answer. They accepted it gladly and with great relief.
They had been given a way of escape from the penalty of their sins.
Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized and received
forgiveness of their sins. Those who rejected Peter’s message were
not baptized and thus were still lost in their sins. “Added
in that day” – The church Jesus had spoken about (Matthew 16:18)
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against
it.” NKJV
was now established. (Acts 20:28) “Therefore take heed to
yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has
made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased
with His own blood.”
NKJV
Peter had used the keys to open the kingdom. (Matthew 16:19) “And I
will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, and whatever you
bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on
earth will be loosed in heaven.”
NKJV
This is called Christ’s Kingdom. (Colossians 1:13) “He has
delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the
kingdom of the Son of His love.”
NKJV
Verse 42
Acts 2:42
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
NKJV
The second part of the Great Commission was now being executed by
the apostles by teaching the new converts all things that Jesus had
commanded. (Matthew 28:20) “teaching them to observe all things
that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the
end of the age. Amen.”
NKJV
The apostles’ word was to be received as the very Word of God.
(I Thessalonians 2:13) “For this reason we also thank God without
ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard
from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in
truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who
believe.” These new Christians were earnest in adhering to the
apostles’ teaching. They were eager to receive instruction. (II
Thessalonians 2:15) “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the
traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
NKJV
Their devotion was obvious. “Fellowship” – These new
converts assembled together having a common interest in spiritual
matters. (Hebrews 10:24-25) “And let us consider one another in
order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one
another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
NKJV
Each Christian participated in those things that concerned the
welfare of the others. “Breaking of bread” – The
breaking of the bread is a reference to the Lord’s Supper. The
Lord’s Supper is a type of fellowship. (I Corinthians 10:16)
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the
blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion
of the body of Christ?”
NKJV
They were steadfast in observing it. “Prayers” –
Praying together as a congregation was a regular part of their
worship. (Colossians 4:2) “Continue earnestly in prayer, being
vigilant in it with thanksgiving;”
NKJV
Bobby Stafford May 10, 2015 [Evening] Acts:
Lesson 10 Acts 2:39-42
