Repent and Return to God: The Impact of the Early Church, Acts part 4, David Fiorazo

People were convicted of their sin and converted to Christ because the truth of Scripture had pierced their hearts. After the Holy Spirit's arrival and the first event in Church history (Peter's bold sermon), Peter pleaded with the people to repent and be saved from this wicked generation! He said the promise of salvation and gift of the Spirit are for all who would believe, they changed their minds about who Jesus is, and 3,000 people were added to their number in one day.

The foundation of the early church is then described:
“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to communion (the breaking of bread) and to prayer.” Acts 2:42
So as we begin Acts 3 and talk more about the growth of the church, we’re also going to start seeing the church’s impact as God’s plan unfolds.

The chapter starts with a miraculous healing, the people reacting in amazement which opened the door for Peter’s second sermon which led to more converts to Christianity, and eventually, the opposition from the Jewish religious leaders.

Then, after the miraculous healing of the 40 year-old man, Peter unleashed the second sermon in church history:
“Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses... And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. Acts 3:12-14, 16

But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. (Acts 4:4)

How about us? Why don’t most of us speak up for Christ today? Is it because we know it is unpopular and some will call us intolerant or foolish? There will always be opposition and people will always come against the truth and the gospel, but are we trying to please God or man?

Let’s clarify one goal of the church: to mature the saints through the preaching of the word, through fellowship, and discipleship. We also gather to praise and worship God. These are important goals that should mark every church. But these things can also be accomplished in heaven. So what is the primary goal of the church? Jesus answered this question by charging us to, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

One thing we can NOT do in Heaven is evangelize.

Scriptures referenced or discussed:
Acts 3:1-37
Acts 4:1-21
Joel 2:32
Deuteronomy 18:18-19
Genesis 22:18
Matthew 14:20-21
Luke 19:10

*PART 4 of 4 on the book of Acts; David Fiorazo filling in for Pastor Brian Mitoraj at Crossroads Church in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on October 2, 2016

Oct 19, 2016