Gods Love For His Glorious Church Lesson 1: (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Son preached about the church (1:3) speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (1:3) Spoke of the kingdom/church all the time His first sermon (Matt. 4:17) His first one-on-one study (John 3:1-5) His last words (Acts 1:3) His word = word of the kingdom (Mt. 13:19) His purpose = preach the kingdom (Lk. 4:43) Jesus loves the church (Eph. 5:25) Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Father promised the church (1:4-8; 2:1-4, 33) Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father (1:4). What was the Promise of the Father? the Promise of the Father which, He said, you have heard from Meyou shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (1:4-5). Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Father promised the church Holy Spirit Filled; miracles Church (v. 47) Pentecost (~AD 33) Jeru (v. 5) Promise (v. 33) Acts 2 Jeru- salem Prom. of Father (4) Not Spirits authority The Father will send Promise of the Father The Holy Spirit Receive power Kingdom (v. 3, 6) You witnesses Acts 1:8 The Spirit of truth Guide you Jn. 16:13 The Holy Spirit To you Teach you Jn. 14:26 From on high Endued w/ power Upon you, until you Lk. 24:49 With Power Kingdom Some alive not die Mk. 9:1 Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Father promised the church The coming of the Holy Spirit (the Promise of the Father) was astounding: Tremendous sound (2:1-2) Tongues like fire on each apostle (2:3) Apostles preached in languages they had never studied (2:4-6) 3,000 were converted (2:36-41) The church was established (2:41, 47) The Fathers promise was directly connected with beginning of the church. Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Holy Spirit predicted the church (1:9-2:21) Four O.T. passages in Acts 1-2: Davids allusion to Jesus betrayal (1:15-17; cf. Psa. 41:9) The psalmists reference to Judas blood money (1:18-20; cf. Psa. 69:25) The psalmists prediction of Judas replacement (1:20-21; Psa. 109:8) Joels predictions of the great and awesome daya possible reference to day the church was established (2:12-21; cf. Joel 2:28-32) Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Holy Spirit predicted the church (1:9-2:21) ~ See Joel 2:29-32 Coming of church = great & awesome day There was an immersion Holy Spirit poured out on all flesh (2:17) First, on Jewish apostles in Acts 2:4-6 Then, on Gentile household in Acts 10:44- 45; 11:15 Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Holy Spirit predicted the church (1:9-2:21) ~ See Joel 2:29-32 Coming of church = great & awesome day There was a revelation Individuals began to prophesy the revelations they received via dreams & visions (2:17-18) This was regardless of gender, age or social status Fulfilled when 1 st -century Christians endowed by H.S. with miraculous powers (beginning on great & awesome day) Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Holy Spirit predicted the church (1:9-2:21) ~ See Joel 2:29-32 Coming of church = great & awesome day There was a cessation of Jewish system Blood, fire, smoke and sun turned into darkness were symbolic of calamity (cf. Ezek. 32:6-8; Isa. 13:9-10) Jesus used same imagery of fall of Jeru- salem & O.T. system (Mt. 24:1-2, 25-30) The great and awesome day saw the replacement of the Jewish system with the N.T. church. Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Holy Spirit predicted the church (1:9-2:21) ~ See Joel 2:29-32 Coming of church = great & awesome day There was the provision of salvation Peter quoted from Joel 2:32, Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (2:21). He identified Jesus as Lord (2:22-36). He told them how to be saved (2:38). In response, 3,000 were baptized and the church was established on that great and awesome day (2:41, 47). Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Holy Spirit predicted the church (1:9-2:21) ~ See Joel 2:29-32 Coming of church = great & awesome day Joel 2:28-32 are not the words of Joel. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:21). The Holy Spirit predicted the coming of the church and surely it was a great and awesome day. Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) Applying It to Me If we love the N.T. church: It will be the focus of our lives! As it was the focus of Jesus life (Mt. 4:17; 11:11; 18:3; Mk. 1:14-15; Lk. 9:62; Jn. 3:5). He told us, Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33). Is the kingdom first in your life In finances? In time? In energies & efforts? In prayer? Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) Applying It to Me If we love the N.T. church: It will be the focus of our lives! We will work to help it grow! As proper church growth was emphasized by Jesus (Acts 1:8). He told us, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Eph. 4:16). What are you and your family doing to help the church get to where it needs to be? Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) Applying It to Me If we love the N.T. church: It will be the focus of our lives! We will work to help it grow! We will defend it when necessary! As the Holy Spirit did thru Peter (2:12-16). Made reference to time of day (v. 15) Pointed to O.T. prophecy (v. 16) Apostles under the influence of H.S. We need to be set for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1:16), the gospel of the kingdom (Mt. 24:14). Gods Love for His Glorious Church (Acts 1:1 - 2:21) God the Son preached about the church God the Father promised the church God the Holy Spirit predicted the church Applying It to Me If we love the N.T. church: It will be the focus of our lives! We will work to help it grow! We will defend it when necessary!