Faith Promise - What's Next - Day 06
Reading
Acts 2:1-41
Highlight
This passage of Scripture describes the birth of the church, the people of God under the covenant of grace. This is important because all of the conversion stories we’ve looked at, up until now, were pre-Resurrection, pre-Pentecost responses to the grace of Jesus. But Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 communicates the way that people are to respond to the call of God in order to receive salvation. Convicted of their sin and wanting to be restored to a right relationship with God, the people ask, “What shall we do?” Peter’s answer will define the response that we will see over and over again in the book of Acts: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (v38)
Two things that are worth emphasizing here that would have challenged the Jewish mindset of Peter’s audience. First, that baptism would now be done in the name of Jesus the Messiah identifies Jesus as God and communicates clearly that He is now Lord. He is the one that we are committing to and being identified with. Second, many aspects of the Jewish faith were corporate/family oriented, but Peter calls every one of them to repent. That means that Peter is emphasizing a personal response rather than anything that could be applied to you because of the acts of a family member or priest. We must individually repent, confess Jesus, and be baptized.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Acts 2:1-41
Highlight
This passage of Scripture describes the birth of the church, the people of God under the covenant of grace. This is important because all of the conversion stories we’ve looked at, up until now, were pre-Resurrection, pre-Pentecost responses to the grace of Jesus. But Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 communicates the way that people are to respond to the call of God in order to receive salvation. Convicted of their sin and wanting to be restored to a right relationship with God, the people ask, “What shall we do?” Peter’s answer will define the response that we will see over and over again in the book of Acts: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (v38)
Two things that are worth emphasizing here that would have challenged the Jewish mindset of Peter’s audience. First, that baptism would now be done in the name of Jesus the Messiah identifies Jesus as God and communicates clearly that He is now Lord. He is the one that we are committing to and being identified with. Second, many aspects of the Jewish faith were corporate/family oriented, but Peter calls every one of them to repent. That means that Peter is emphasizing a personal response rather than anything that could be applied to you because of the acts of a family member or priest. We must individually repent, confess Jesus, and be baptized.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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