Chapter Two — Part Five: The Book of Acts
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 02/07/2021
Foundation Scriptures:
Acts 2:38
Acts 2:41-43
1. Three Baptisms.
a. Acts 2:38 KJV — 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.
b. Baptism “into Christ,” which requires repentance and faith in Christ, is essential to salvation (Gal. 3:26-27; 5:24; 1 Cor. 12:13; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:3-12; Col. 2:11-13).
c. Galatians 3:26-27 KJV — For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
d. 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV — For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
e. After one is saved and in Christ, baptism into water is essential to obedience and to a “good conscience” (Matt. 28:19; 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 John 5:6-10).
f. Matthew 28:19 KJV — Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
g. 1 Peter 3:21 AMPC — And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
h. Water baptism is an outward figure (symbol) of the baptism into Christ (the inward work that brings one into the body of Christ and the family of God).
i. Water Baptism signifies—
- A confession of faith in Christ.
- A cleansing or washing of the soul from sin.
- A death to sin and a new life in righteousness.
j. Romans 6:4 KJV — Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
k. Baptism into the Holy Spirit is essential to receiving power for service (Luke 24:49; John 14:12-17; Acts 1:4-8).
2. New Dispensation.
a. Acts 2:41 KJV — Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
b. They gladly received his word.
c. With gladness, with joy, with pleasure—they (fully) received, accepted, welcomed, approved the message.
d. Signifying that they received his message joyfully, readily, and willingly.
e. Implying that they approved of the doctrine Peter delivered, were glad to hear of this way of salvation, and that they began immediately to act according to its requirements.
f. That day, 3000 souls were added to the Church, the Body of Christ.
g. Added (prosetetheesan) meaning: to place additionally, i.e. lay beside, annex, repeat: add, again, give more, increase, lay unto, proceed further.
h. They were added—they went over from one “party” to another; they changed sides.
i. They chose a new Master (Jesus) and placed themselves under a new government (the Kingdom of God).
j. The Bible talks about being translated from one kingdom (Satan’s) into another Kingdom (God’s): translated from darkness into light (Col. 1:12-14).
3. New Pattern.
a. Acts 2:42 KJV — And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
b. Here, we see the pattern laid out for the early Church—and it is still the pattern for us today.
c. We see four things they “continued steadfastly in”.
d. Apostolic teaching—doctrine.
e. Matthew 28:20 NKJV — Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
f. Receive the Word; embrace the Word; submit to the Word; act on (be a doer of) the Word: preach and teach the Word; never compromise the Word; never deny nor change the Word; never add to it nor take anything away from it.
g. Fellowship—with God and fellow believers (see 1 Jn. 1:1-7).
h. 1 John 1:6-7 NKJV — If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
i. Never break fellowship with your Heavenly Father and do not allow anything to come between you and your brothers and sisters in Christ.
j. Communion (Acts 2:42,46; 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-34; Mt. 26:26-30).
k. Acts 2:46 NKJV — So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.
l. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 NKJV — The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
m. Prayers (Mt. 7:7-11; 21:22; Mk. 11:22-24; Jn. 15:7,16; Eph. 6:18).
n. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV — Pray without ceasing.
o. John 15:7 NKJV — If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
p. Ephesians 6:18 NKJV — Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
q. When the Church walks in everything God intended, it has an impact on society on every level and in every realm.
r. Acts 2:43 KJV — And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.