This study was first taught on June 10, 2018

Topic: The Birth of the Church (6): The Voice of Peter; The Message of the Holy Spirit

(use the audio to study)

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Background
In our last meeting, we looked at the significance of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, on the day that the Church was born. We pluralized the word ‘manifestation’ to be able to distinguish the significance of each manifestation as follows:
1. The sound from heaven: which was like that of mighty rushing wind, was like a ‘trumpet call’ or a ‘siren’ to draw the attention of the people who were gathered at Jerusalem at that time. And it was because of these people from all over the world, that the Lord Jesus had commanded His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high!
2. The cloven or divided tongues: that seemed like fire, signified the work of the Holy Spirit in taking hold, of all those who willingly present themselves to God, by the tongue (or speech) which is one of the ways, by which the saints are led. It also signified the sanctification of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer—body, soul, and spirit—purging, purifying, and preparing him/her for service unto God!
3. Speaking in tongues: not before learned, displayed the desire and power of God to communicate with all men regardless of tribe and tongue!
4. Peter’s sermon: signified God’s desire to explain to all of mankind, His desire for them to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ!

Finally, we concluded by noting that even though we may not understand what God is doing, yet, there is a purpose for everything He does. And through the Church, God’s original plan of man having dominion over His creation is to be achieved, only as they take on His likeness and multiply all over the earth!

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 2:1-41
As mentioned in our last meeting, we shall be looking at the sermon Simon Peter preached on the day the Church was born. And what a message it was! It was unprepared (that is, spontaneous); but was it really? May the Holy Spirit open our eyes, ears, and understanding as we study, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Yes, the message Peter preached was spontaneous, as far as, Peter was concerned, but by the Holy Spirit, it was a message which was prepared long ago—before the foundation of the earth—for maximum impact: People from every part of the earth were represented! Also, Peter had been prepared for it, as he made himself available for the Holy Spirit to work on and work with (Matthew 10:18-20; Acts 26:1ff; 4:8-14; Luke 21:12-15)! So, even though we know this sermon as Peter’s spontaneous sermon; yet it is, in reality, the message of the Holy Spirit or put more succinctly, the message of the Lord Jesus Christ to a dying world!
Joel 2:28-32; Numbers 11:16-29; Acts 8:29-35; John 16:8-11; Acts 2:40; 8:29-35; Isaiah 53:7-8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2:1-5; Galatians 3:1; John 3:14-15; 8:28-32; 12: 32-34; Isaiah 53:1ff; 52:13-15; John 16:14; 15:26-27; Acts 1:8; 4:31, 33; 18:24-28; 1:8; Matthew 16:13-19; John 20:30-31.

Conclusion
Simon Peter’s spontaneous message was essentially the message of the Lord Jesus Christi, prepared from the foundation of the world, and presented by the Holy Spirit through Peter! God’s plan is to bring people to the place of salvation through the preaching of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:17-25). All we need to do is make ourselves available to God through His Holy Spirit to say what He desires. If this must happen, we must allow Him to prepare us (1 Corinthians 12:1-6).

The goal of the Holy Spirit is to bring men to salvation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) by taking them, through His message from where they are—steep in sin—to where they ought to be—salvation in Christ! The message of the Spirit has Christ front-and-center, and emphasizes not just His salvation, but also, His Lordship—you cannot be saved and live like you wish, No! you live henceforth, for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15)!

LET US PRAY!

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