Here is a clear, straight-from-the-Bible way to
understand the good news of Jesus Christ for yourself and for others you know! In Acts 2 in the Bible we can "listen in" on the simple, powerful
message that the apostles of Christ presented on the Day of Pentecost just a few days
after Jesus returned to heaven.
Below
you will see their actual words from the Bible in bold print, one point at a time. Then there are yes-or-no questions based on each section. Consider this passage
carefully for yourself. If you can answer “yes” to each question that
follows, keep reading. If you need to answer "no" to any question, please stop there and post a comment to express your thoughts.
Acts
2:22 “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—
Do
you believe that Jesus performed miraculous deeds, and that these deeds prove
His identity as the One attested by God?
23
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of
God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Do
you believe that Jesus died on the cross as part of God’s plan to save you?
Do
you believe that you personally helped crucify Jesus, because of your sin?
Do
you know what sin is? Do you know what YOUR sins are? Can you list the
attitudes, words, and deeds in your life that the Bible describes as sin?
24
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for
him to be held by it.
Do
you believe that God raised Jesus physically and bodily from the dead?
25
For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he
is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad,
and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not
abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You 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. 30
Being 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, 31 he foresaw and spoke
about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor
did his flesh see corruption.
Do
you believe that King David, 1000 years before Christ, predicted that Christ
would rise?
32
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
Do
you believe that Peter and the other apostles witnessed the truth of the
resurrection?
33
Being 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. 34 For David did not ascend into the
heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my
right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
Do
you believe that Jesus ascended to heaven, and that He has been enthroned and
exalted to the right hand of God?
Do
you believe that all Jesus’ enemies will be overthrown and placed at His feet?
36
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him
both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Do
you believe for certain that Jesus is Lord – God and Master of your life and
all things?
Do
you believe for certain that Jesus is Christ – the promised Messiah and Savior?
37
Now 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?”
Are
you cut to the heart – convicted of your own sin and your part in crucifying
Jesus?
Do
you believe that you are lost because of your sin?
Do
you believe, unless you respond to the gospel of Christ, you could die and
spend eternity in hell?
Do
you believe that it is urgent and absolutely essential for you to respond at
once?
Are
you asking, “What shall I do?”
Are
you prepared to do whatever the Bible teaches you to do, at once?
38
And 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. 39 For 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.”
Do
you understand that you must both repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of
your sins?
Do
you believe that, until you repent and are baptized, you have not been
forgiven of your sins?
Do
you understand that to repent is to turn away from sin and surrender your heart
and life to the Lord?
Do
you understand that to be baptized is to be immersed or submerged in water, “buried” and
“raised?”
40
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying,
“Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
Do
you understand why Peter kept exhorting and urging them to be saved?
Do
you believe that God through His Word is exhorting and urging you to be saved, as soon as possible?
41
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day
about three thousand souls.
Have
you received God’s Word as presented here?
Are
you ready to do what they did, to be baptized?
Do
you understand that, when you are baptized, God will add you to His church?
Do
you realize that this is the church that belongs to Christ, that He said He
would establish?
Do
you understand that this is the non-denominational church of Christ, belonging to Christ, as the New Testament describes
it?
42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Will
you devote yourself to the worship assemblies and teaching activities of
the local congregation, emphasizing these same four matters - biblical teaching, fellowship with others in the church, breaking bread in the Lord's Supper, and praying to the Lord?
43
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done
through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things
in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and
distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending
the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food
with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the
people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being
saved.
Will
you commit yourself to spiritual growth and active service and sharing in the local church?
Will
you be a participant in the church, busy and productive in the church’s work?
Will
you share with others, praise God, and seek to influence people for Him?
Do
you believe that, through you, God wants to add others to the church day by
day?
If,
after completing this study, you are convicted of your need to repent and be
baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, God bless you! Please comment below,
and we will put you in touch with someone who can assist you.
