THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST

In Acts 2 we are given the gospel of salvation. It was preached by Peter, in the Power of the Holy Spirit. The result of this was, “and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

What was that gospel that was preached, saving so many souls? First, it declared Jesus died on the cross. “This Jesus … you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised Him up, ‘loosing’ the pangs of death …” (Acts 2:23-24)

Here we have the knowledge that Jesus Christ was crucified for OUR SINS. In other words the first step of salvation is seeing that you are a sinner. You have not been naughty at times, needing to do better. No, we ALL have sinned against a Holy God. Therefore, His eternal wrath and righteous indignation is upon us. 

It was for this reason that Jesus came; to die as a once and for all sacrifice for sin. There is no other way for salvation. Our sin debt, which is great, must be punished. 

Second, He was also raised from the dead. This was to fulfill prophecies of old that He would be killed and raised from the dead. “The patriarch David … foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ … this Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:29-32)

Not only was our Lord raised from the dead, but Peter attests that there were many witnesses to it. Some were present that Pentecost morning. This doctrine is critical to salvation. If Jesus was not resurrected, He is still dead and cannot save us.

Third, we see the Power of God working in the hearts of men. They see their sin as Cosmic Treason against a Holy God, and know they are guilty as charged. “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart … saying, ‘What shall we do?’” They cry out knowing their guilt and punishment are just and deserved. 

Fourth, we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. His finished work on the Cross is our only hope, and only trust. The condemned sinner knows there is nothing they can do to save themselves. However what our Lord has done will save them if they will only believe. “So those who received his word were baptized …” (Acts 2:41) 

Finally, they were changed; their lives reflected their repentance. These people were new creations in Christ, born again, and filled with the Holy Spirit of God. They despised sin, bearing the fruits of repentance. “And they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42) 

How about you, does your life reflect your repentance? I heard it once said, ‘If someone followed you around for 72 hours would they know you were a Christian?’

This is the Good News that saves to the uttermost; there is no other gospel. 

Steve 

In Acts 2 we are given the gospel of salvation. It was preached by Peter, in the Power of the Holy Spirit. The result of this was, “and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)

What was that gospel that was preached, saving so many souls? First, it declared Jesus died on the cross. “This Jesus … you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised Him up, ‘loosing’ the pangs of death …” (Acts 2:23-24)

Here we have the knowledge that Jesus Christ was crucified for OUR SINS. In other words the first step of salvation is seeing that you are a sinner. You have not been naughty at times, needing to do better. No, we ALL have sinned against a Holy God. Therefore, His eternal wrath and righteous indignation is upon us. 

It was for this reason that Jesus came; to die as a once and for all sacrifice for sin. There is no other way for salvation. Our sin debt, which is great, must be punished. 

Second, He was also raised from the dead. This was to fulfill prophecies of old that He would be killed and raised from the dead. “The patriarch David … foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ … this Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:29-32)

Not only was our Lord raised from the dead, but Peter attests that there were many witnesses to it. Some were present that Pentecost morning. This doctrine is critical to salvation. If Jesus was not resurrected, He is still dead and cannot save us.

Third, we see the Power of God working in the hearts of men. They see their sin as Cosmic Treason against a Holy God, and know they are guilty as charged. “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart … saying, ‘What shall we do?’” They cry out knowing their guilt and punishment are just and deserved. 

Fourth, we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. His finished work on the Cross is our only hope, and only trust. The condemned sinner knows there is nothing they can do to save themselves. However what our Lord has done will save them if they will only believe. “So those who received his word were baptized …” (Acts 2:41) 

Finally, they were changed; their lives reflected their repentance. These people were new creations in Christ, born again, and filled with the Holy Spirit of God. They despised sin, bearing the fruits of repentance. “And they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42) 

How about you, does your life reflect your repentance? I heard it once said, ‘If someone followed you around for 72 hours would they know you were a Christian?’

This is the Good News that saves to the uttermost; there is no other gospel. 

Steve