By Peter Biggs

READ Acts 1 | Acts 2 part 1

Introduction:
We start with 120 believers... those gathered after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. They included the 12, Mary mother of Jesus and a number of women, Jesus converted half brothers, (previous unbelievers) plus others... Added to this number was now 3000! who were converted after the Holy Spirit had Baptized the 120 and now they too were baptized in the Holy Spirit having repented of their sin and been baptized in water.

READ ACTS 2:41- 47

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Lets look at these 3000... Some have questioned the ability for Peter to communicate effectively to thousands without amplification.
"The imperfect Greek verb ("prosetithei") for ADDED suggests something of a process as a result of Peter's preaching, not necessarily a large crowd of 3000 that heard and responded en masse." Longenecker- Expositors Commentary

Peter promised them they would also receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, and we have no reason to doubt that they did. (v38-39)

What was the effect of conversion and the Holy Spirit upon these 3000 spiritual babes?

People who commit themselves to God, believing in Jesus Christ as their savior, are promised the Holy Spirit. The effect of Him living in us, is primarily one of "fruit". That is new character traits...
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5

It seems they had instantly new priorities and motivations, that came out of God living in them, and indeed with them corporately. Being before doing.

V42 They devoted themselves
to the apostles' teaching
Devotion - an unusual word in our day! The impact of his life in us by the Holy Spirit is worship (expressed horizontally).

Teaching.
There is a prioritizing... Right thinking precedes right living. Likely, the teaching was an early and primitive teaching based on the words of Jesus... this was an oral tradition a message considered authoritative because it was proclaimed by accredited apostles.
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would remind them all that he had said.
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

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They devoted themselves to
the fellowship
John tells us that we know we have eternal life if we have love of the brethren. No hint of religious legalism here, expectation by the church of attendance or anything else. Note the definite article. THE fellowship not just 'fellowship'. There is a vital difference. They devoted themselves to serving THE fellowship not devoted themselves to enjoying fellowship. That would have been the end of mission!

Relationships are very important in any church. Jesus said
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

They devoted themselves to
the breaking of bread This has been variously interpreted. Some that it was simply fellowship meals, others that there was a celebration of the 'Lord's Supper' with a single focus on the broken body of Christ.
Clearly placed between two very loaded religious terms as the Fellowship and Prayer... Luke had in mind something of a significant theological significance not merely everyday meals.

They devoted themselves to
prayer
The NIV does not include the definite article... it also fails to show that in the Greek this was also a plural word. It should be THE PRAYERS. This suggests formal prayers. (Not easy for some non liturgical church people to hear!)

Eph 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
1Timothy 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- ...8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Jumping down to v46
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

There is something to pause here...the scriptures talk about a 'meter of life' being daily...
Matt 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matt 6:11 Give us today our daily bread.
'His mercies are new every morning',
'don't let the sun go down on your anger'

Conclusion
The fruit of the Holy Spirit caused a spontaneous social and spiritual change in daily behaviour. It was reflected in common values and lifestyle, not a 'me and God' - personal belief... it was far from the [empty] rationalization of non-Spirit life: "you don't need to go to church to be a Christian" and far from an guilt that you 'have to go to church'!

Why would you NOT want to gather to learn, to love, to worship, to pray?! Enjoying the life of the Spirit!

January 20/2010