ACTS OF THE APOSTLESAll Whom God Calls

Acts 2:39

Review - Acts of the Apostles• Story of the birth of church and spread to Rome• Story of the work of the Holy Spirit to work through disciples and

churches• Acts 1:8 – Jesus told the apostles that when the Holy Spirit came

on them they would become his witnesses from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth

• Last week we looked at their witness

• What? The resurrection and the gospel• Where? To the ends of the earth; every man• How? Preach gospel and what God has done in us

Acts 2:36-39

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 2:36-39 – The Gospel Call of God

1. The Calling – The Gospel

2. The Command – Repentance

3. The Promise – The Holy Spirit

1. The Calling – The Gospel

Acts 2:39 – all whom the Lord our God will call

2 Thess. 2:13-14 – But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 6:44 – No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 12:32 – But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.

Rom. 1:1-7 – Paul, called to be an apostle (1); received apostleship to call people(5); called to belong to Jesus Christ (6); called to be saints (7)

Rom. 8:28-30 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Eph. 1:4 – He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

2 Tim. 1:8-9 – So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

Heb. 9:15 – For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may received the promised eternal inheritance…

1 Pet. 2:9 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2 Pet. 1:10 – Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Matt. 22:1-14 – Many are invited, but few are chosen.• King prepares a wedding banquet for his son• Sent servants to the invited to tell them to come• They refused to come• Sent more servants to tell them to come• Paid no attention—one went to field and another to his

business; rest seized and killed the servants• King enraged and sent his army and destroyed the

murderers and their city

• Sends servants to invite “anyone you find”• Servants invited both good and bad and filled the hall• King came in and noticed a guest no wearing wedding

clothes and questioned how he got in; man was speechless

• King told attendants to tie him and throw him outside into the darkness

• For many are invited, but few are chosen

2 Pet. 3:9 – He [God] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

1 Tim. 2:3-4 – God…wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Some thoughts:1.This world was created by God for God (Col. 1:16).2.God predestined his purposes and can do whatever he

chooses.3.God chose before creation for the saints to be holy and

blameless in his sight.4.God draws people to Jesus.5.God calls us by the gospel of Christ.6.Not everyone called is chosen.7.God wants all men to be saved, but knows they won’t.

2. The Command – Repentance

Matt. 3:2 – Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near

Matt. 3:8 – Produce fruit in keeping with repentance

Mark 1: 15 – Repent and believe the good news

Luke 13:3 – Unless you repent, you too will all perish

2 Cor. 7:10 – Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation

2 Pet. 3:9 – The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Repentance = changing one’s mind; a change of heart that manifests in a change of life direction. “Bring fruits of repentance.”

2 Cor. 7:10-11 – Godly sorrow brings repentance…produces earnestness, eagerness indignation, alarm, longing, concern, readiness to see justice done

Acts 2:37-38 – When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Belief – if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be you will die in your sins (John 8:24)

Repentance – unless you repent you will perish (Luke 13:3)

Baptism – unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5)

Faith – without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6)

Some thoughts:

1.Faith is the foundation and substance in our relationship to God.

2.Repentance is the first and right response when we come to faith.

3.Baptism is the first step of repentance.

4.Discipleship is the testimony to the reality of our “alleged” choice.

3. The Promise – The Holy Spirit

What was lost in the Garden—the abiding presence of God—is at least partially regained in Christ—the Holy Spirit of God.

Eph. 13-14 – And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.

Col. 1:27 – To them [the saints] God has chosen to make know among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

2 Cor. 13:5 – Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Rom. 8:14 – those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God

Some thoughts:1.God predestined to make finally make permanent that

which was only temporary in the Garden—his everlasting presence in our lives.

2.The Holy Spirit in us is the present restoration of that until the final and full restoration of it.

3.The Holy Spirit is the reward of heeding his call.4.The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the

testimony to our rebirth; his absence is a testimony to the lack of authenticity of our conversions.

Conclusion

1. The Calling – The Gospel

2. The Command – Repentance

3. The Promise – The Holy Spirit

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:39).