37 "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto Him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 "And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they did take their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved."
Golden Text.—"The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Verse 47.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What effect did Peter's discourse on the day of Pentecost have upon the people? What did they say? Verse 37. Note 1. (2) What was Peter's reply? Verse 38. Note 4. (3) What did he say of the extent of the promise? Verse 39. Note 3. (4) What further testimony did Peter give? Verse 40. (5) How did those who received the Word manifest their faith? How many took their stand for Jesus that day? Verse 41. Note 4. (6) How did the converts manifest their fidelity to the Word? Verse 42. Note 5. (7) How were those affected who did not receive the Word? In what way was the preaching confirmed before them? Verse 43. (8) What spirit of unity was manifested among the disciples? Verses 44, 45; ch. 4:32-35. Note 6. (9) With what zeal did they continue the work? Verse 46. (10) How did they stand in the estimation of the people? What success attended the work? Verse 47. Note 7.
NOTES.
1. This conviction of heart among the people followed the stirring words of Peter in explanation of the wonderful manifestation of the Spirit. "What shall we do?" A most distressing condition confronts them; they had grievously sinned against God, and had killed the only One who could save them from sin. Not understanding the love and forbearance of God, or the far-reaching power of the Gospel, they naturally concluded that they were entirely cut off from hope.
2. True repentance denotes access to God and the guidance of His Spirit; for it is the goodness of God that leadeth to repentance. Rom. 2:4. No repentant one need despair if he will believe the Gospel. Mark 16:15, 16.
3. Altho they had put to death the Messiah, the same blessing which they saw the disciples enjoy was accessible to them through the name of the crucified One; for the promise was to them, and the promise will not fail to any who will receive it by faith. All the promises are "yea" and "Amen" in Christ, and He is able to "save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him." Altho they had put Him to death, "He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:25.
4. "Were baptized."—This was the outward evidence that they had received the Word; for the same Word that said, "Repent," also said, "and be baptized." Being baptized was the act of obedient faith. In this they publicly witnessed that they had died to the world and were henceforth followers of Christ. In this they publicly professed faith in His death, for their sins, and in His resurrection to be their Mediator before the Father.
5. "Steadfastly."—This is the evidence of true discipleship. There is no letting up in the matter of the doctrine preached by the apostles; there is no withdrawing or weakening of fellowship, no respect of persons in the church; there is to be continued observance of the ordinances as commanded by the Lord, and a constant spirit of prayer. See Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18.
6. The communism practised by these disciples was a good object-lesson to unbelievers, as illustrating the workings of faith in God and in His cause. But like every other Christian principle, selfishness may render it impossible. The idea of being "together" was good for the time and the circumstances; and in a spiritual sense it is always essential; but the disposition in Jerusalem was to remain "together," right there, and that would have precluded all other missionary work. Moreover, when selfishness gets hold of such a movement, many would become dependent on the brethren rather than on God, and cease to make any effort for their own support. Persons of this class are frequently heard demanding that all things be in common, as they were at Jerusalem. Many are also unmindful of the fact that the Lord permitted persecution to scatter those very disciples abroad, that they might minister to the world at large.
7. "The Lord added."—Men may add professors to the organization, but the Lord adds reorganized souls to the church. Jesus says, "Every plant, which My Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." Matt. 15:13.
