Vision 250: September 2013

What is the Gospel?

Acts 2

Author: Luke

Version: ESV

The Coming of the Holy Spirit v. 1-4:

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested^a on each one of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1. Pentecost – Name given by Greek-speaking Jews to the festival which occurred fifty days after the offering of the barley sheaf during the Passover feast. Note that Christ died during the Passover. Other names: In the Old Testament it is called the "Feast of Harvest" (Exodus 23:16), also the “Feast of Weeks” (Deut. 16:10, II Chron 8:13), also the “Day of the First Fruits” (Num. 28:26). Later, it is called the “closing season of the Passover” to distinguish from the seventh day of Passover and from the closing day of the Feast of Tabernacles/End of the Fruit harvest.Also,

“In Palestine the grain harvest lasted seven weeks and was a season of gladness (Jer. v. 24; Deut. xvi. 9; Isa. ix. 2). It began with the harvesting of the barley (Men. 65-66) during the Passover and ended with the harvesting of the wheat at Pentecost, the wheat being the last cereal to ripen. Pentecost was thus the concluding festival of the grain harvest, just as the eighth day of Tabernacles was the concluding festival of the fruit harvest (comp. Pesiḳ. xxx. 193). According to Ex. xxxiv. 18-26 (comp. ib. xxiii. 10-17), the Feast of Weeks is the second of the three festivals to be celebrated by the altar dance of all males at the sanctuary. They are to bring to the sanctuary "the first-fruits of wheat harvest," "the first-fruits of thy labors which thou hast sown in the field." These are not offerings definitely prescribed for the community; "but with a tribute of a free-will offering of thine hand . . . shalt thou [the individual] rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou and thy son and thy daughter, . . . the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow" (Deut. xvi. 9-12). In Lev. xxiii. 15-22, however, there is a regularly appointed first-fruit offering which the whole community must bring. It consists of two first-fruit loaves ("leḥem ha-bikkurim") of new meal, of two-tenths of an ephah, baked with leaven. The loaves were to be waved; hence the name "wave-loaves" ("leḥem tenufah"). Furthermore, various animal sacrifices were enjoined, and no work was permitted. In Num. xxviii. 26-31 the main pentecostal offering is one of new meal ("minḥah ḥadashah"). There is also a list of grain and animal offerings differing somewhat from that in Lev.xxiii.15-22. These offerings are to be made in addition to the fixed daily offering. In Men. iv. 5, x. 4 the list of Leviticus is referred to the sacrifices directly connected with the loaves, and the Numbers list is referred to the sacrifices for Pentecost considered as a special festival; the one was designated for the journeyings in the desert; the other was added after the Israelites had entered the promised land. The concluding festival of the harvest weeks was largely attended (Josephus, l.c. xvii. 10, § 2; idem, "B. J." ii., iii. 1; Acts ii. 5).” http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/12012-pentecost

It is notable that the coming of the Holy Spirit during the Pentecost is symbolic: as Christ is the Passover Lamb, so with the Holy Spirit a “season of gladness”, a cessation of work (as we need not work to save our selves, we also need no work to change our selves. We are saved by faith, and we live by faith. It is God’s work from beginning to end. He is indeed the Author and Finisher of our salvation). From the Holy Spirit comes a “tribute of a free-will offering”. As God has provided the Passover Lamb, He poured His Spirit freely upon us that we may serve Him and sacrifice our lives as a pleasing free-will offering as He has enabled us.

This also marks that the “wheat fields” are ripe and in need of harvesters ( compare Luke 10:2, Matthew 9:38).

This event also explains the large number of people that were added to the church on that day (v. 41). There were already a lot of people to begin with. It should be noted that in modern times, this is not an evangelistic event: this is completely unplanned. It is upon the work of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that the fruitfulness should be due.

2. They were all together in one place

a. Who are they? – the believers

b. What were they doing? – They were together in one place. They are likely to been having fellowship at that point in time and celebrating the Pentecost. As early as this there has been an understanding of fellowship of the believers, for if there were none they would not have been together in one place.

c. In verse 2, it is shown that they were in fact, sitting inside a single house.

3. ²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested^a on each one of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

a. The Holy Spirit came with a grand entrance. This event was, however, never repeated again as far as the Biblical records are concerned.

b. The gift of tongues from the Holy Spirit rested on each one of the believers without exception.

c. It can be seen that the Holy Spirit used men (and probably women, even though during Pentecost males perform an altar dance at the sanctuary it is said that the believers are gathered together in one place) who are imperfect. Were the men conscious of what they said? Were the men conscious of the Holy Spirit?

v.5-11

⁵Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” ¹²And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

4. men from every nation under heaven.

Should this be taken literally? Did people from the Americas and the Philippines come to Israel at that time? Was there a world convention? Like most phrases “every nation under heaven”, the scope or view of the phrase is what the writer considers “every nation”, which is mostly the Roman Empire. As seen in verse 7-10, the areas mentioned are only those known to the Jews (or to Luke). Asia is simply regarded as one bunch, which is probably Turkey a.k.a. Asia Minor. Also, men of Judea are present (v. 14)

5. At the sound the multitude came together

At the work of the Holy Spirit people will gather. They need not look for an audience, for the fish themselves have come to them. Yet this is not a rebuttal of aggressive evangelism. Aggressive evangelism has been done even by Christ Himself, sending the disciples to preach. This shows that God has already prepared an audience for His work.

I am having doubts whether to continue aggressive evangelism. I think it should rather be an “overflow evangelism” the kind that simply overflows out of a joyful heart for the work that God has done.

6. Proclaiming the Gospel is proclaiming the work of God and at the same time bearing good testimony.

a. What is good testimony? Here the testimony of the believers is the gift of the Holy Spirit – the gift of tongues. It is not by our good works – never. It is only by the fruit of the Spirit, and we must always ever be discerning and ever learning to distinguish the fake works of self from the fruitful work of God.

7. There are two responses to the mighty works of God

a. A response of reverence v. 12

i. Evidently, the miracle for speaking in tongues was used for evangelistic purposes, just as all of Christ’s miracles were.

ii. This is the correct response that could lead to repentance.

iii. Probably it was the foreigners who appreciated the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the speakers were probably Jews (they were in Jerusalem v.5). Here we see that the Gospel is even for the Gentiles who are grafted into the vine due to the rejection of the Jews. (as fulfillment to the promise to Abraham, and also written in Isaiah, although this is contended by Classic Pauline Dispensationalism)

b. A response of ridicule v. 13

i. This ridicule was later referenced by Paul: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Eph 5:18. To some people, the Gospel is not different from the nonsense of an intoxicated man, but the fruit is evident: drunkenness leads to debauchery, and the Spirit gives fruit (Gal. 5:22-23)

ii. Those who ridiculed were likely to be Jews who did not understand the different languages.

iii. We should not be surprised to receive such a response. This is the natural inclination of men. But the Word of God assures us that there will be people who will respond reverently.

iv. Peter would ridicule this response in v. 15

¹⁴But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.^b ¹⁶But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

8. Third hour of the day is about 9 AM. It is seen that men of Judea who live near Jerusalem are also present probably to celebrate the Pentecost.

9. The boldness of Peter is something to be noted. It was he who came the closest during Christ’s crucifixion yet shyed away. It was he whom Christ rebuked by calling him Simon, not with the new name he reinstated. It was he whom Christ rebuked by asking him three times, reminding Peter of his cowardliness. Yet after 40 days of Christ’s convincing proofs and teaching about the kingdom of God, he was transformed to a new person. To share the Gospel you must be prepared by God. In the 12 apostle’s case it was Christ, in Paul’s case it was the appearance of Christ and the transformation of the Holy Spirit for a period of three years. So it is in our case: we must never work independently of the Holy Spirit, but work with complete dependence upon Him.

10. How to start the Gospel? Peter began by sharing something in common with his audience. They marvelled at his work, and Peter endeavoured to explain it. One can start with current events, or anything in common with the audience.

¹⁷“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

¹⁸even on my male servants^c and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

¹⁹And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

²⁰the sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

²¹And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

11. How to share the Gospel? Use Scripture. Peter was addressing the devout men from every nation, “Men of Judea” and Jews of Jerusalem, so they were familiar with the Scripture. Should we use Scripture on those who are not familiar with it?

12. The Scripture used is on reference to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Yet Peter (possibly) used this to explain the gift of tongues, indicating a partial fulfillment of prophecy. (I am not good with prophecy please correct me). Another possibility is that the passage from Joel supplements what the Jews were already speaking of (the mighty works of God).

²²“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ²⁴God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

13. What the Gospel is not? The Gospel is not a gospel of awkwardness. The Gospel is not awkward. It only becomes so when you doubt that it is true.

14. What is the Gospel? The Gospel is a gospel of scandal. It tells of something different to what popular opinion says. This is no different from proclaiming that the “abundant life can only be found in Christ” and that “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow” against the present day mantras of “Tiwala lang” and “N Steps to Success” via positive thinking. This is no different from proclaiming that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” against the modern science of Big Bang and evolution. This is no different from proclaiming that “You are dead in your sins” and that “the wrath of God is upon you” against the contemporary belief of apathy, agnosticism, and freedom of belief. The modern times do not

15. How to share the Gospel? Go straight to Christ. Right after his transition Peter went to tell the Good News. He did not shy away from God’s sovereignty (v. 23, 31)

²⁵For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,

for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

²⁶therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

my flesh also will dwell in hope.

²⁷For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

or let your Holy One see corruption.

²⁸You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

²⁹“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³²This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. ³³Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

16. How to share the Gospel? Testify. Peter testified that they are witnesses of the ressurrection of Christ (v.32). The power of the Holy Spirit is proof of this (v. 33). Though we are not literal eye-witnesses of the flesh and body of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit and His transformation of us are proofs of the ressurrection. Even the mere fact that the message is alive today after two thousand years of persecution and insanity (from the world’s point of view) is a miracle. Today we testify that Christ is still alive, and despite all that has happened He will be true to His word return in judgment with all the splendor and glory of God.

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

Sit at my right hand,

³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.’

³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

³⁷Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” ⁴¹So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

17. What is the Gospel? The Gospel is a gospel of repentance, remission, and reception. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the core of the Gospel. The rest are exhortations and encouragements, specifics and principles.

a. The Gospel of repentance – far too often we focus on salvation and eternal life, that repentance has been neglected. We ask “would you like to pray this prayer right now?” and after saying yes, and repeating after some prayer, like a chant or mantra we leave that person, thinking that he is already saved. We follow-up, we meet, we read materials, we can even witness for Christ without having repented. We can be disciplined and read the Bible daily, pray daily, and minister daily without having repented. This is all good and well, but without God’s revelation of the wickedness of the self, without God’s revelation of His pure holiness, without the changing of mind regarding God and regarding self there could be no real work of the Holy Spirit. Regeneration begins along with repentance and repentance continues along with sanctification as we discover more about God and change our minds about His infinite characters.

b. The Gospel of remission – the forgiveness of sins is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Faith is not mere head knowledge; to believe about Christ is not the same as to believe in Him. Faith is a trusting faith, a sure faith, an unfaltering faith all based upon a growing relationship and an ever-expanding knowledge upon the character of God which He revealed through Christ. It is a living faith; It will manifest as light in darkness cannot be hidden.

c. The Gospel of reception – that we have repented and are forgiven is good news indeed, but that God would still do further work than that – to send His Spirit to live in us, and among us, and upon us, and to work through us shows the marvelous grace that He has given. That He is able to finish the work He started is good indeed, but that He is willing, oh the grace of God!

d. These three should not be separated; they are a package.

⁴²And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³And awe^d came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

18. What to do after the Gospel? Commitment. ⁴²And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. This is where the exhortations come in. This is where spiritual discipline is. This is where we test every spirit whether they are truth. This is where we bear fruit, where we show our love to the family of God, where we show our love to the lost people. If we truly believe the true Gospel, this is but an overflow of our lives.

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