PP2010-1 DATE
HOW TO GET 3000 PEOPLE SAVED IN ONE SERVICE!
Read Vs. 41 only -
Ac 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (We see the unity of the Holy Spirit.)
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (KJV)
INTRODUCTION: They gladly received the word that Peter had preached. That must be the response to preaching for people to get saved. People must receive the word of God gladly. Salvation requires a response to God’s Word. Have you ever stopped to think about the effort and energy that had to be given on the Day of Pentecost? In order for what happened, to happen, there was much work done. Think about it for a moment. Suppose our pastor planned a “3000” Sunday – he tells us we are going to baptize 3000 converts – what would be your response?
If this church does what our pastor wants it to do – If we see the growth he desires – if we evangelize the number of people he is challenging us to do - then:
(Get these points)
A. A Lot Of People Must Do A Lot Of Work. (That will scare some off right there) When the preacher startes talking about a lot of work people get skiddish.
Think of the dedication and commitment required by the membership of the church in Acts 2.
We have picked up at the very end of a church service. 3000 people had just gotten saved and were baptized, and added to the church membership. Can you imagine the magnitude of that service? 3000 people got saved – 3000 got baptized – 3000 were added to the church. That sounds to me like a LONG DAYS WORK. They didn’t get home by 12:30 that day. The roast was surely burned by the time they got home, and the ball game was over.
Let’s think about this a little bit. Vs. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
In Vs. 41 the Bible says the “same day”. What day?
The same day that they got saved they also got baptized and were admitted to the church. This wasn’t the closing service of a six week revival – it all took place in one day – the same day.
The same day that Peter preached the Pentecost sermon. That same day.
The same day that the Holy Spirit descended following the ascension of Christ. Somehow or other that sounds to me like a lengthy service. There had to be some kind of identification made for the 3000. Someone must have taken their names. Someone surely checked them out to see if they really made a decision or not. Several “someone’s” did the baptizing. They didn’t line them up and squirt them with a water hose. They all were baptized by immersion. All of this didn’t take place in ten minutes. A long period of time took place to accomplish all that happened that day.
I baptized 85 people one Sunday after the AM service – that took well over an hour and a half. Let’s say that all eleven disciples were baptizing. How long will it take eleven men to baptize 3000? What I am saying is that this was not a typical Sunday AM service. IT TOOK ALL DAY.
We don’t really know how they did it back then. They probably didn’t go somewhere and change into different clothes. We don’t know if they shook hands with all of the converts or not. But there was much energy and effort expended to get everything done that was done.
Vs. 42 says:
They continued stedfastly – that tells us that there were teachers or someone was busy and involved with teaching them the apostle’s doctrine. This was a very large new members class the next Sunday. This wasn’t the efforts of four or five people. It wasn’t just the pastor and the assoc. pastor doing the work. Someone did a lot of work. Many bodies were involved – or as we hear today – there were a lot of boots on the ground.
Let’s suppose that that same thing happened in the typical Baptist Church today. How many would still be present in the service when the last of the 3000 was baptized? I don’t think I have ever been in a Baptist Church where I would feel sure that every person would stay for the entire baptizing of 3000 people.
Granted we don’t know the spiritual temperature or atmosphere that was brought about by the fullness of the Holy Ghost on the people. That would certainly make the difference. When people are full of the Holy Ghost they will give themselves to the things of God more readily.
The fullness of the Spirit will change the demeanor of any person or people.
A lot of people did a lot of work –
B. People Must Forget Themselves
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (They were thinking alike. That is strange for all members of a Baptist church to think alike.
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
We can see in this scripture the evidence of the true commitment to do the work of God.
C. No One Selfishly Held On To His Own Belongings.
Not many will accept this attitude or position today. We each want to keep that which we acquire. (What’s mine is mine and I will keep it.) When Christianity lost this spirit much of the joy, and success of the N.T. Church left also. The Spirit of God and selfishness cannot dwell together. The fullness of the Holy Spirit in one’s life will drive out selfishness. Mark it down – if you see a Christian that is selfish then that person is not filled with the Spirit of God.
D. The Only Thing That Really Mattered To Them Was The Work And Cause Of The Lord Jesus.
When that spirit prevails people will give themselves to the work of God.
They were joyfully doing this work. In this we can see the difference in then and now Christians.
I have noticed that the more a person has the more he wants to keep. It’s not too hard to give 10% providing that 10% doesn’t amount up to a lot of dollars. The larger the dollar value the more difficult for some people to give.
I. WHAT BROUGHT ALL OF THIS ABOUT? (His Word) Vs. 41.
Ac 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
“His word” mentioned here is the word or words of Peter. When they heard Peter’s word – Much of his sermon was from the O.T. Joel – and Psalms. He presented the Word of God.
A. Hearing The Word Of God.
It is the Word of God that changes – that challenges – that converts – that convicts people.
That’s why our Justice Department would love and also is trying to outlaw the Bible. They fear the Word of God. Too bad we believers can’t fear it as much as do they.
The word of God can and will direct every phase of your life if you will allow it to.
Ps 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (KJV)
(Notice that it wasn’t the music that caused all of this to happen. No record of any special music or guest singers that day. It wasn’t the warm friendly feeling that permeated the congregation. It wasn’t the eloquent mannerism of Peter. We can see what kind of man Peter was over in - Ac 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (KJV)
Peter had just finished his exposition on the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the Gospel. He preached under the power of the Holy Spirit. Prior to all of that happened the N.T. church spent ten days in the upper room. Ac 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (KJV)
It wasn’t that there was an electrifying atmosphere among the people. The Word of God brought this about, coupled with the fullness of the Spirit of God. The Word of God is the first and main tool in getting people saved. Everything else is secondary, or even needless.
Ps 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (KJV)
1. Jesus is the Word. Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (KJV)
2. The Word of God brings a sinner to salvation. 2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Notice that it says, “They received his Word” This was the word that Peter preached. ….the very revelation of God Himself….
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: (KJV)
God was revealed to the world through His Son, Jesus Christ, His Word. “…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father…”
Jesus is and was the very embodiment of God. You and I have the revelation of God today through His Word.
The only thing that will turn our nation around is to see thousands and thousands of American people get saved. Not many are getting saved in this day. Too many churches and preachers have salvation confused. Salvation is not in a plan. It is not a certain plan that one follows. Salvation is not in a prayer. You don’t just to pray a certain prayer. Salvation is not just in a promise. Salvation is not just a presentation of scripture. Salvation is not in ordinances or theology. SALVATION IS A PERSON – THAT PERSON IS JESUS CHRIST. John 3:16 says it so clearly. Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV) Salvation is in Christ Jesus only.
We must lift Him up - Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (KJV) The O.T. example is in Numbers – the serpent on the pole – “Look and live”.
3. Daily growth – discipleship. This was all done through His word.
“The apostles doctrine” – this was the teaching of the apostles which is given to us through the Bible or His written word, as written in the N.T. particularly the epistles. Everything that directs the Christian and everything that is concluded in the life of the Christian or the local church, is done so through the Word.
II. NOTICE THE RESULTS Ac 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (KJV)
A. Great Holy/Godly Fear. This is not suggesting terror or fright. It means – godly fear – a holy sense of the presence of God – a reverence for God and what was happening. If this church – our church became a hot bed where sinners were getting saved, and the word of God was the significant authority in the life of every member then great fear would come upon this community around this area. A lot more people would be reverent toward God and this place. They would have a manner of holy hush about them. When God is prevalent then there will be a godly fear about the people. Why is there so much openness and boldness in sin today? No one fears God! How can a person randomly fire a gun at an innocent person and kill them? There is no fear of God. If that same person feared and revered the holiness of God a totally different outcome would take place. If we were a nation that feared God we wouldn’t be seeing girlfriends killing boy friends - nor vice versa. We wouldn’t see the outbreak of home intrusion and the residents being murdered. Society doesn’t fear God like it once did.
I recently read a statement that I want to use here:
An Evangelist, Thomas Cook, of many years back was traveling on a ship for a preaching tour of South Africa. One night when the stateroom was packed with gamblers and reeking with tobacco fumes, Thomas Cook threw open the door and walked calmly through the play room. Thomas Cook said no word, just walked quietly through the den of gamblers and out at the far end of the room.
Instantly men grabbed their cards and stuffed them in their pockets. Pipes were held under the tables, and a sense of awe gripped the worldly crowd. When he was gone, men asked, “Why did we do that? We never saw that done before. Why did we hide our cards?” One spoke up: “You could not do wrong in the presence of a face like that.”
There was godly fear as Thomas Cook walked through that room. How often do we see that today? None! When Moses came down off the mountain his face shone with the righteousness of God. That same thing can exist with each of us if we so choose to make it so. What would happen if we had a hundred members from this church whose face shown with the glory of God as they went to work everyday – as they went to Wal-mart – where ever they went – What would happen? People would take notice of what was happening. They probably wouldn’t understand it, but they would certainly notice that something different was taking place.
B. The Public Was Stirred – They were brought to a realization of God and His power – how did that happen? By the signs and wonders being done by the apostles. I am not opposed to using programs and promotions to reach people, but most of such is needed because of the absence of the Holy Spirit upon the people that are doing God’s work – therefore we have substituted man made plans to take place of the Holy Spirit. That will never work. No one will ever get saved through a program – but by the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
This tells us that a spirit filled local church or a spirit filled family or even an individual can cause great things to take place in the name of the Lord.
The one main reason for today’s anemic condition is the lack of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian and a local church. (Listen to me closely) When the pastor, the deacons, the S/S teachers, the song leader, the youth leader, the children’s leader are all filled with the Holy Spirit then great things will happen in that community. It can’t help but happen. This church in our text, didn’t dream up some new plan nor scheme wherewith to spread the Gospel, they just went everywhere stedfastly and preaching the Gospel. That’s where we are lacking today.
The fullness of the spirit does not mean that the building is filled with the spirit, but that the people are filled. When we go out witnessing on Tuesday and Thursday the only witness of the Spirit to those we are visiting is from we the individuals. If we are not filled with the Spirit then there will be no witness to those we visit. The reason we do not see very many saved, is we have no Holy Spirit power on our own lives that convicts the sinners.
It is said of J. Frank Norris – when he would enter a building people immediately came under conviction because of the overflow of his own fullness. The same was true with Charles Finney. The Holy Spirit does not dwell in auditoriums and houses, but in lives of spirit filled saints.
III. THEY HAD GREAT COMPASSION Vs. 45
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
When a person is filled with the Spirit of God he is not greedy. He has a totally different outlook on his possessions. A person full of the Holy Ghost realizes that Christ is all he needs. Jesus Christ is enough, and he/she does not make the things of this world of great value to their own satisfaction. I have known Baptists that were afraid of being filled with the Spirit, for fear God would require them to sell their possession and give it to the needy.
I’m not sure that today’s level of Christianity is any where near what these people did.
IV. THEY WERE FULL OF JOY Vs. 46-47
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (KJV)
Great joy comes when one is fully surrendered to the fullness and the power of the Lord. The reason we do not see nor experience great joy today is because we the membership are not totally surrendered to the will and work of God.
V. THEIR EFFORT CONTINUED EVERY DAY Vs. 46-47.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (KJV)
A. Someone Was Daily Preaching The Gospel.
When this attitude becomes the normal then great things and great growth will happen.
1. Daily in the Temple. Prayer time – seeking the power and favor of God.
2. Daily house to house. Door to door knocking. Why won’t this work today? No one will effectively make it work.
B. Each One Was Totally Committed To Make It Work.
It will require the whole church family to be involved. Ac 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (KJV) Notice who this was: And all that believed – every believer.
Everyone was involved in this endeavor – not just a few on Saturday AM, or on Tuesday evening.
Most membership want all of this to happen with little or no work output involved. Never happen. Much energy must be expended. No church will be built with part-time labor and pocket change. It will take a total commitment from every member.
C. It Must Be A Joint Effort.
46 And they, (Who is “They”? – The entire church body) continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (KJV)
This was more than just the disciples – it was a joint effort of all the church. They went house to house daily.
What would happen to Baptist churches in this day and time if that same principal would be re-established and practiced in such manner as then? We would see the same results they saw.
How do we see 3000 people get saved – how do we see great growth – how do we see the local churches become a bee-hive for the Lord? Acts chapter 2 tells us how.
Someone once said, “Now is the time – this is the place – we are the people”.
Can we do it? Will we do it? What will you do?
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