Acts 2:33–47.
The Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, issues the call to the Jews assembled in Jerusalem for the feast at Pentecost: Repent, be baptized, receive the power of the Spirit. They are warned, they are pleaded with, “save yourself from this corrupt generation” for your sake and the sake of your children.
13. a. Psalm 110:1
b. Exalted to the right hand of God – Heaven, Acts 2:33
c. The Session of Christ, His position of power and majesty, the demonstration of favor of God the Father, the fact that He not only has the ear of the Father whom He petitions on our behalf, but He also has the annointed and exalted authority as both judge and savior. By definition, if someone is both your ultimate judge and your savior He is, by that shear fact, your Lord. And, in that position of Lord, He deserves, desires and demands our devotion (note Acts 2:42). Should that make a difference in my daily situation? Is this not so clearly self-evident? When you really think about not only this incredible gift, but the just and righteous position of power it is given from, the only appropriate position for my devotion to Christ is at the very center and heart of everything about my daily situation.
14. Peter issues the altar call: Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
15. a. Preparation: v 41, To demonstrate their belief they accepted his message and were baptized. And, v 42, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, the the breaking of bread and to prayer
1. v 44, they were together and had everything in common
2. v 45, they sold their possessions and goods, giving to anyone as he had need
3. v 46, they continued to meet together in the temple courts
4. v 46, they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people
b. The key word in the question is “evident”. To me that means not what would I think and say about it, but more importantly, what would others say. I think others clearly see that things are different in our family, mostly because we truly have so much joy. But I’m not sure they always know why it is different. I think breaking more bread with others – i.e., inviting others to eat with us, may be a way to make that difference more apparent. I know that as others in my work and social circle see the dedication that being active in the church and mission work and being a BSF CL requires, it is evident. And I know, without any doubt at all that the 17 kids in our BSF class know that I love Jesus.
As I look around me and think about the words of this passage I almost have to laugh out loud (LOL) when I hear Peter calling people of that day to save themselves from the corrupt generation. I hope the corruptness of a generation is not a contest, but if it were I have no doubt how it would bear out. The recipients of Peter’s message were attempting to practice what they believed was correct (until their eyes were opened to the real truth), so much so that they had traveled great distances to the temple at Jerusalem for the feast of first fruits. Now, turn on the TV, take a walk in the mall, listen to the mom’s at soccer practice, read the news – see any evidence of a corrupt generation? Do you hear the warning and pleading in these words and the promise of salvation and power that is offered? I do.
The Notes are Good 