READ
Acts 2:36-47
CONSIDER
I don’t know if you have shared this experience, but before I became a Christian, I’ve heard and have been told (and sometimes yelled at) numerous times in different settings that I ‘need to repent ‘. In these instances, I remember this term giving a very negative feeling. It gave feelings that the people using these words were saying it out of judgement and self-righteousness rather than out of the love of God that they had for me. They were telling me that I was wrong — that’s it. There wasn’t a sense of hope.
The call to repent by Peter to his Jewish audience in Acts 2 was a message and response to despair and hopelessness. Peter showed his audience and to us what they were turning from, sin, and who they were turning to in repentance, Jesus. Peter was showing them there was hope, new life, and a new way of living with Jesus Christ as their Lord. How do we respond to Peter’s message as a community?
I am looking forward to exploring in Acts 2:36-47 of how repentance, faith, and the Holy Spirit leads us to a transformation of life both individually and as a church.
Pastor Fabian Chiu
PRAY
Heavenly Father, I give thanks that you are our God. I give thanks that in Your great love, you have given us Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and that we have new life in you. I give you thanks for your Holy Spirit who continues to shape us individually and as a community.
I pray that you would help me to take part in the community of believers and that you would help us to devote ourselves to You and your people. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DIVING DEEPER
Download the complete Acts sermon series study guide HERE.
What stood out to you from the sermon?
Upon hearing Peter’s message, how did the people feel? (v37)
What does Peter call people to do in response to hearing the gospel? (repent and receive the gift of the Spirit)
The community formed in v42-47 is an overflow of the gospel working in our lives. What are the four markers that characterized a Christian gathering from v42? (teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread or communion, prayer)