Jun 5 – 2 Samuel 7, 2 Samuel 8 Acts 2:22-47 Proverbs 14:4-14

Acts 2:36-39

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, 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. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

The first post ascension Gospel call. Be assured of this, Peter said. Jesus is Lord and Messiah. Jesus is Lord. 

When the people heard it they were cut to the heart. What shall we do? They wee distressed. They believed and they wanted to know what to do. 

And the answer is simple. Repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus. Receive His forgiveness and receive His spirit. 

Peter then says this promise is for everyone. 

Believe. Repent. Be baptised. 

The message hasn’t changed… or rather it should never change. Have you believed? Have you repented? Have you been baptised in the name of Jesus?

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Devoted is a good word. Hopping on to dictionary.com throws up this meaning: zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty, or affection. 

Some version say they steadfastly continued. The Greek word used means to do something with intense effort. They persisted in, even when it was hard. 

So often we talk about wanting to return to what it was like in the early church, well this is what it looked like. It requires from us a firm commitment to do these things even when it’s difficult and even when we don’t feel like it.

We persist with teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer. You want the signs and wonders the early church saw? It doesn’t come without this commitment.

Prov 14:7

Stay away from a fool,

for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

I read this and thought – Good advice but you can’t expand on this. Then I though… how much of the world’s wisdom comes from fools today? Seriously, we take the moral and political stance of stand up comedians, TV hosts and actors more seriously than preachers and prophets… we consider atheists (or intelligent fools) to be national treasures.

Keep away from that nonsense – don’t listen to them. Theres’ no real knowledge coming out of their mouths.