Acts of the Apostles (6)
Introduction
The evildoers running the Sanhedrin were now confronted with a real problem. The man they had unjustly murdered had come back from the dead—His greatest miracle. He ascended into Heaven and poured out the Holy Spirit on His twelve disciples, who began preaching the resurrection powerfully and performing many wonders and miracles (v. 43). By killing Jesus Christ, the unbelieving Jews only succeeded in giving Him a throne of everlasting dominion in Heaven. And now down below in Jerusalem the headache that Jesus had been for them was multiplied by twelve.
In addition to this, because baptism was being administered in the name of this Jesus, the Church now had a definite set of boundaries. These were the people who were bound to Christ—they were now clearly marked out and defined.
The Text
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:37–47).
Summary of the Text
This was a random crowd, and not an organized one. It was not like the Triumphal Entry crowd, and it was not like the crowd organized to call for the Lord to be crucified. It was simply a crowd attracted to a spectacle, and it says that as a result of what they saw and heard they were pierced to the heart (v. 37). As a result, they asked what they should do. Peter’s reply was that they should repent and be baptized in the name of Christ—the result would be remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit (v. 38). Peter knew that he was preaching to a crowd of actual Christ-killers (Acts 2: 23, 36), and so what does he offer them? Free and full forgiveness. There is no bitterness here. The promise was for them and their children, as many as God would call (v. 39). Peter followed this up with many other words, urging them to save themselves from that crooked generation (v. 40). A number responded gladly, such that about three thousand souls were baptized (v. 41). These new converts continued steadfastly in four things—apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (v. 42). Fear descended upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles (v. 43). The Christians struck awe and terror into the hearts of observers. The believers were all together and held their possessions in common (v. 44; cf. Acts 4:34-35), selling their possessions and goods in order to be able to share (v. 45). They would congregate at the Temple, and would break bread from house to house (v. 46), sharing meals with gladness and simplicity of heart (v. 46). They gave themselves over to praising God, and the general population looked on them with favor (v. 47), despite the fear mentioned earlier. And the Lord added those who were being saved, adding them on a daily basis (v. 47).
Baptizing Thousands
The Pool of Siloam was about as long as two/thirds of a football field. It was about 400 feet lower in altitude than the Temple complex. Pilgrims would first cleanse themselves there, and then make the ascent up to the Temple. On the south side of the Temple complex was an array of miqvehs—Jewish baptistries. Over forty of these have been excavated there. Pilgrims would cleanse themselves again before worshiping. This is almost certainly where the Pentecost baptisms took place. Each of the apostles would need to have baptized around 250 people.
Liquidating Assets
Remember the context. This outpouring of the Spirit meant that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed. Think of it as the kind of moment when Red Cross blankets are being handed out. If you owned real estate, “now” would be a good time to liquidate. And the fact that this happened at Pentecost meant that many who were converted (and who perhaps stayed over longer) were going to be out of pocket for a time. As we will see in the episode with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:4), no one was compelled to give. However, the natives were flush with liquid assets and the pilgrims were high-centered. It was an obvious occasion for massive sharing.
To You and Your Children
Peter tells the crowd that the promise (meaning the Holy Spirit) was for them, but it was obviously also for their children. The invitation was open, to as many as the Lord would call. We can identify those called to come by looking to see who actually comes. And we should take care to note how Scripture defines “coming” to Christ. In Luke 18:15, we find people bringing infants (brephos) to Him. This was that incident where the disciples tried to stop it. But Jesus rebuked them (Luke 18:16), and said to allow the children to come to Him. But infants can only come by being carried, and Jesus calls that “coming.” Being carried by your mom is coming.
Four Pillars
The characteristics of these new converts is described for us here. First, it should be noted that no one had to chase them around in some sort of follow-up campaign. They continued steadfastly (KJV, NKJV). They devoted themselves (ESV). They were continually devoting themselves (NASB). When new life is actually present, that life seeks out nourishment. Babies are born hungry. New believers are born again hungry.
And what were they hungry for? 1. Apostolic doctrine (didache). 2. Fellowship (koinonia). 3. Breaking of bread (almost certainly communion), and 4. Prayers (probably corporate).
Gladness and Singleness of Heart
The chapter began with an outpouring of tongues, a sign of pending judgment. This whole incident is like the parables that Jesus told, darkening some and enlightening others. And then a sermon was preached, in a language that the multitude understood. It was a sermon that pierced to the heart. Then came submission to the message in the waters of baptism. Those who were converted dedicated themselves, not to tongues, but to doctrine, fellowship, communion, and prayers. Never confuse the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 1:7) with the fruit of the Spirit (1 Cor. 3:1; Gal. 5:22-23). So notice the culmination of it all—gladness and simplicity of heart. This is the Christian faith in full bloom. The roots of the atonement are down deep, and wonders can serve as fertilizer, such that the foliage is thick with doctrine and fellowship and communion and prayer. But the blossom is seen in this. How do we know summer is near? Gladness and simplicity of heart.