I hope you read the previous blog post because this one is the continuation of Acts ch 2
The 120 waiting in the Upper Room received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
But that wasn't the end of it.
The Promise of God was not just for the 120 who had been waiting
but for all that were there.
Yes the 120 received the blessing but because of them others were now being given the chance to have their lives changed as well.
The 120 spoke in other languages and received boldness to witness.
When they spoke in all those other languages, that the foreign visitors to the city could understand, they gained the attention of so many people from near and far.
Peter then was able to use that opportunity to speak out for God.
Verses 14 - 39 had covered his sermon
Verses 40 - 47 now show the result of Peter's boldness through the Holy Spirit.
He had preached the Word of God from the scriptures they knew well and 3,000 people responded.
This was 25 times the 120 that had waited in the Upper Room.
This was 250 times the number of the disciples.
All those people had their lives changed in that day.
A church was the result and it continued to grow.
Why?
Because they were still in one accord.
They must have been still in agreement because verse 42 tells us
steadfastly:
fixed in intensity or direction; steady;
unwavering or determined in purpose or loyalty
If they were not in one accord they would not have continued to do what they had been doing before but they knew the instructions Jesus had given them and they were guided by the Holy Spirit and they were wise to obey.
We can see 10 reasons for the preservation and growth of the church here too.
- They were steadfast people.
- They knew the doctrine/scriptures were very important.
- They knew Godly fellowship was important.
- They kept the command of communion that Jesus had given them.
- They were faithful to pray.
- They were in awe of God.
- They were used in the miraculous.
- They stayed together.
- They shared with each other and were not selfish.
- They took care of each other.
These are not just things that affect the people of a church, these are the things that strengthen the people of the church to face the world and spread the gospel and that hasn't changed today.
Yes there is strength in the promise!
Do you need strength to face the world and spread the Gospel?
Do you need strength to face the world and spread the gospel?
Then follow the example set in verse 42 and be in one accord in worshipping the Lord.
