Acts 2:41-47
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all the believers were together and had all things in common;
45 and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The Birth of the Early Church (1)
The concluding words of the first sermon
“And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation’” (v 40). To repent means to believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Lord and the Messiah and to break away from the generation that rejected Jesus. Many people responded to Peter’s call. “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls” (v 41).
Salvation of three thousand
(1) Those who responded to Peter’s message with repentance were saved at the moment of belief. They received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This means that the Holy Spirit began the work of baptizing believers. As a result, the Church was born. (2) People “were baptized.” The Jewish baptism was by immersion only. This symbolizes separation from the unbelieving generation and union with Christ, representing an external expression of internal faith. (3) “That day there were added about three thousand souls.” At that time, there were approximately 200 baptismal pools on the southern side of the Temple (according to archaeologists). Tens of these pools have been excavated. These pools made it possible to baptize all three thousand people in a short period. It is not certain whether the apostles themselves administered the baptisms. Those who were baptized became “disciples.” Many of them were pilgrims who returned to their respective countries (likely spreading the message of Jesus Christ there). (4) It is important to note that the number mentioned is an approximation. Some scholars believe that this number could have included those who were not true believers, like the time of the Exodus, when foreigners also left Egypt with the Israelites. Any spiritual revival can be contaminated with ingenuine elements. We must learn to have the ability to discern between the genuine and the ingenuine. Seeing the commitment of three thousand people, Peter likely remembered the words of Jesus: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people” (Matt. 4:19). “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12). The promises God gives us will certainly be fulfilled.
Today's prayer
Almighty God, You continue to lead people to salvation today. I will continue to walk today with hopes in Your promises. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.