“First Step”
Acts 2:1-41 Sermon Series: “Step Up”
Introduction: Acts 2 is probably one of the key chapters in the entire Bible because it records the sending of the Holy Spirit to indwell believers, the first gospel sermon, and the new church growing from 120 to 3120 in one day. At the conclusion of Peter’s powerful sermon (think about Peter denying Jesus less than two months before this and see the power of God’s restoring grace when we repent), verse 37 says, “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do’?” In other words, how should we respond to the good news of Jesus? As we begin the “Step Up” series, we are going to focus on the first steps we take in responding to the gospel of Jesus.
Main Idea: The first step to take in responding to the good news of Jesus is repentance and faith that is pictured outwardly through baptism.
1. What is the good news of Jesus?
A. It is who He is. He is both a man attested by God (v.
22) and God Himself. Verse 36 refers to Him as “both Lord and Christ.” Christ means “Messiah,” who is the Promised Redeemer. Lord means “God” and “Master.”
B. It is what He did for us. He died for our sins (v. 23), rose from the dead (v. 24-32), and was exalted to the right hand of the Father, from where He poured out the Holy Spirit (v. 33-35).
C. It is what He offers us through what He did for us.
Through His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Spirit; Jesus offers us the forgiveness of sins (v. 38), the gift of being indwelled by the Holy Spirit (v. 38), and a place in God’s new community, the church (v. 41).
2. How do we respond to the good news of Jesus? We respond inwardly through repentance and faith and then picture that outwardly through baptism.
A. Repentance-Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of heart that leads to a change of action. It is turning from sin and self and turning to God. God through Peter commanded everyone in that crowd to repent and does the same to us today.
B. Faith-Repentance and faith go hand in hand. There really cannot be one without the other. Verse 41 refers to “those who gladly received his word.” This speaks of them believing the good news about Jesus. Because they believed, they turned to God. What do you believe about Jesus? Real faith repents.
C. Baptism-Baptism is not a part of receiving forgiveness and the Holy Spirit, but it is how we picture salvation and is the first act of obedience after salvation. This is pictured in this passage and consistently throughout the book of Acts. The Bible teaches believer’s baptism by immersion as a symbolic act whereby we unashamedly make a public confession of faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Conclusion: In verse 21, Peter quoted a verse from the Old Testament that says, “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Have you called on the name of the Lord and been saved? In other words, have you repented of sin and trusted Jesus and expressed this through calling on His Name? Have you then obediently pictured this through believer’s baptism? These are the FIRST STEPS in following Jesus that God is calling you to STEP UP and take.
