Acts (Part 18) - Acts 2:41-43

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Acts (Part 18) - Acts 2:41-43  1. Acts 2:41 – Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. A. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: i. Gladly adv. – 1. In a glad fashion; with gladness or joy. Also, in weaker sense, willingly, with alacrity, esp. in phr. I (you, he, etc.) would gladly (do something). ii. These Jews gladly received the preaching of the gospel, even when it stung (Act 2:36-37). iii. They were like Zacchaeus who made haste, came down, and received Jesus joyfully (Luk 19:5-6 c/w Isa 64:5). iv. They were like the common people who heard Jesus gladly (Mar 12:37). v. They were not baptized due to compulsion, but willfully with joy. B. and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. i. The result of their baptism was being added to the membership of the Jerusalem church. a. The them which they were added to is the church at Jerusalem which had about 120 members named on a role (Act 1:15) who were assembled together, all with one accord in one place (Act 2:1). b. It is obvious that they were added to the church because they continued from that time forward having church, which consisted of the apostles' doctrine (preaching) and fellowship, breaking of bread (communion), and prayers (Act 2:42). c. Just to clear up any misunderstanding of what they were added to, we are told, that the Lord added to the church daily (Act 2:47). ii. If it be argued that the "Then...: and..." grammatical construction of Act 2:41 proves that being added to the church was not a result of being baptized, then consider the identical construction of the following verses: a. Exo 19:5-6 – “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation....” b. Jdg 12:6 – “Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.” c. 1Ki 1:5 – “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.” d. Jer 36:4 - "Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book. e. Jer 36:32 - "Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words."  f. Each of these verses demonstrate that the "Then...: and..." grammatical construction shows that whatever comes after the ":and..." is a result of, or intricately connected to, what preceded it. g. The same thing applies to Act 2:41. iii. Baptism is the means by which a believer is added to the local church, which is the kingdom of God (Luk 7:29-30 c/w Mat 21:31-32). iv. When a preacher baptizes a penitent sinner in water, which outwardly adds him to the church, the Holy Spirit baptizes him into the spiritual membership of the local church which is the body of Christ (1Co 12:13, 27). 2. Acts 2:42 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. A. After being added to the church, they continued stedfastly worshipping and serving God in the church (1Co 15:58). B. Steadfastly adv. – 1. In physical sense: Steadily, firmly, so as not to be shaken or displaced. rare. 3. Constantly, persistently; with firm resolve, fidelity, belief, etc. C. Their church service consisted of: i. The apostles’ doctrine (teaching) (1Ti 4:13, 16; 2Ti 3:10; 2Ti 4:2-3; 2Jo 1:9). ii. The apostles’ fellowship (1Jo 1:3, 7). iii. Breaking of bread (communion) (1Co 10:16; 1Co 11:23-24). iv. Prayer (Act 12:12; Eph 6:18). 3. Acts 2:43 – And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. A. And fear came upon every soul: i. They feared God (Act 9:31; 1Pe 2:17). a. Learning about God through the apostles’ doctrine instills the fear of God in a Christian (Heb 10:31; Heb 12:25-29). b. The fear of God is innate in a child of God (Jer 32:40). c. The fear of God can also be taught to a child of God (Psa 34:11). d. Christians perfect holiness in the fear of God (2Co 7:1). e. We must fear God to serve Him acceptably (Heb 12:28). ii. They did not fear man (Heb 13:6). B. and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. i. The apostles were given the gift of working signs, wonders, and miracles (2Co 12:12). ii. The gift of performing signs and wonders was given to the apostles to confirm the word they spoke (Mar 16:20; Heb 2:3-4). iii. Signs and wonders (miracles) can be a source of fear because one is beholding the power of God (Mat 14:26; Mat 27:54; Mar 4:39-41; Luk 1:63-65; Luk 5:4-10; Luk 5:22-26; Luk 7:12-16; Luk 8:35-37).