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 

Last week we talked about the gospel of God preached by Peter in Acts 2. This week I would like to follow up with the Apostle Peter’s challenge to, “confirm your calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10). In other words to make sure you truly are a Christian. 

There are many warnings in God’s Word about false professions of faith in Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us the same thing Peter did, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Here are a few simple questions to ask yourself to see if there is evidence to support your declaration that you are a Christian.

‘Are you a changed person since your affirmation that you are one of Jesus’ disciples?’—If someone knew you before you were a Christian, and now knows you now after your declaration of faith in Christ, would they see a change in your behavior? In other words are your language, usage of time, and morality different. 

‘Are you growing in your faith?’Peter puts it this way, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with moral excellence, and your moral excellence with knowledge …” (2 Peter 1:5)

What he means is that we must be growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ—applying Christian disciplines to our lives. Therefore, are you reading your Bible regularly, are you praying regularly, do you enjoy Christian conversation …?

Finally, ‘Are you living by the standards set out for followers of Jesus Christ in His Word?’ Jesus makes His standard of conduct very clear in the ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ He declares, “Blessed are the meek … blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness … Blessed are the pure in heart …” (Matthew 5:1-12)

Our Lord makes obedience to Him central to how we live. “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?” (Luke 646) He then goes on to describe those who obey His words as “a wise man who built his house on rock.” He describes those that don’t obey Him as “a foolish man who built his house on sand.” 

There is an old saying that says, ‘It is not what we say, but what we do?’ What do your actions, words, desires, and thoughts reveal about your profession of faith?

May Christ bless your reading of His Word this week.

Steve