This is the first of a series of sermons from the book of Acts. The over arching theme of these sermons relate to the kingdom of God being established among mankind, to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles. For best results, I highly recommend reading the scripture references while reading through the sermons.
The Kingdom Opened
Matthew 16:18-19
But before that day….
Another man is chosen to fill the place of Judas – Acts 1:16-17; 21-22
I find it interesting that Jesus knew all about Judas’ character, yet still named him as part of the 12 with full intent to commission those 12 to be his apostles throughout the world. Judas can be seen as a lesson. He was given the same authority to do many great things in the name of Jesus as was given to the other disciples. Yet he had a habit of stealing from the group’s funds, and after he betrayed Jesus he took his own life in shame. Just because a follower of Jesus might do great things is not evidence his heart is right and his spirit is godly. At the same time, Jesus had given Judas authority even when his heart was not right and his spirit ungodly. Matthew 10:1-4 relates Jesus giving to his disciples authority to cast out demons and heal diseases. Notice verse 4 includes Judas. We see here it is not the power one wields that proves him or her as godly, but what is seen as the fruits of their lives, especially as given in Galatians 5:22-23.But now Judas is dead and there are only 11 of the original disciples. Peter called for 2 men to be put forward as potential replacements of Judas - "For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." Acts 1:17.
Two requirements were to be met:
1. They must have been with the other disciples from the time Jesus was baptized until the day he was taken up.
2. Their ministry would be that of proclaiming as eyewitnesses all that they had seen and heard Jesus do. The ministry of these 12 men was to lay the foundation of the Church by proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus. If you look at Revelation 21:13-14 you will see that the 12 gates of the heavenly Jerusalem were of the 12 tribes of Israel, and those gates were supported by the foundation stones of the 12 apostles.
Two men were selected as a potential replacement; Joseph (Justus) and Matthias. After prayer, God revealed his desire that Matthias be Judas’ replacement.
Moving to the day of Pentecost itself -
We see the Kingdom opened – Acts 2:32-33; 36-38
Before Peter even uttered a word, Jesus poured out upon all the disciples present the Holy Spirit. This was the same spirit that gave the prophets of old their power, but never was that Spirit given to all who were of the law of Moses. The prophet Joel spoke most clearly of this day – Joel 2:28 -29. Notice Joel did not say God’s spirit would rest only upon His chosen prophets, but upon all – the young and old and the great and small. Even mere servants would have God’s spirit.
I cannot find words to express what an incredible thing this is. We who are of Christ are bathed in God’s spirit. We participate in God’s great holiness even though we currently live in a world bathed in sin’s great evil.
In his proclamation to all the people, Peter used the keys of the kingdom to open that kingdom to those who were outside. He did this by giving to his hearers the knowledge to escape God’s wrath. Summarizing his key points:
1. The pouring forth of the Spirit is the fundamental characteristic of God’s kingdom.
2. Jesus was the man God had sent as the righteous king of God’s kingdom.
3. Though they crucified Jesus, God raised him to life, and exalted him.
4. All may escape wrath and find life by
1) Repenting (of rebelling against God).
2) Baptism into (identifying oneself with) the name of Jesus.
5. All who do these things will be completely forgiven and will share in the gift of God’s own holy spirit. They will go from enemies to friends; from doers of evil to partakers of God’s holiness!
3000 people believed and became new – Acts 2:41-47
The proof and power of the pouring forth of the Spirit upon all who enter God’s kingdom is seen in the results. On that day 3000 people believed and were baptized and God was adding daily to the number who were believing.
It is quite likely many of those who believed were among the crowds that cried out for Jesus to be crucified. But upon hearing the truth and witnessing the power of the spirit of God, they quit their rebelling and entered into a brand new life with the living God. See how their hearts and minds had been radically transformed:
1) They devoted themselves to the preaching and teaching of the apostles – seeking greater knowledge by which they may now please God and enjoy his favor and love.
2) They devoted themselves to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (with one another and as the Lord’s supper) and to prayers.
3) All who believed were as one and shared of their possessions with one another, and received their food with “glad and generous hearts”.
4) They were daily praising God and increasing in favor with all the people.
The difference from 50 days earlier is breathtaking. With the knowledge of what God had done through Jesus and His pouring upon those who believed his own holy spirit, God transformed a people who boasted in their own goodness and who shook their fist at God’s chosen one, into a people whose hearts were filled to overflowing with the Love of God and whose minds now hungered and thirsted for ever more knowledge by which they might love one another even as Jesus loved them.
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