Setting the Stage
What happens when ordinary people encounter the power of the Holy Spirit and learn that faith was never meant to be lived alone?
In this week’s message, we dive deep into the opening chapters of Acts to see how God forms His people for mission, community, and bold witness. If you’re longing for hope, direction, or a reminder that the church is still alive with purpose, you’ll want to watch and hear what God’s Spirit can do in and through you.
Key Takeaways
- God works through the Holy Spirit to empower proclamation. (Acts 2:1-13, 3:1-10)
- God uses His word to bring response. (Acts 2:14-41, 3:11-26)
- God forms the church as a new family. (Acts 2:42-46)
The Gospel
If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.
Reach outGod created us for Himself. But every single one of us has broken that relationship because of our sin. We don’t just mess up, we miss the mark entirely. Left to ourselves, we’re spiritually dead, separated from God and unable to fix it by effort, religion, or good intentions.
But the good news is that God didn’t leave us where we are. Out of love, He sent His own Son, Jesus of Nazareth, into our world. Jesus lived the perfect life we have failed to live. He was “attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs” (Acts 2:22), but more than that, He went to the cross. Even though He was “delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge,” He was killed while innocent. But God raised Him up. Death could not hold Him. His resurrection means the penalty for sin can be paid, the power of death broken.
The crowd in Acts heard this and were “pierced to the heart.” They asked, “What should we do?” Peter answered clearly: “Repent, and be baptized, each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Forgiveness is not something we achieve, but something we receive. We simply turn (repent) from trusting ourselves and our own way, and trust Christ completely, His death for our sin, His life in our place, His power to save.
The promise is not just for one people or one generation. It is “for you and for your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). When God rescues by grace through faith, He forgives, He brings us into a new family, and He fills us with His Spirit. It’s a fresh start, a new path. Not because we’re good, but because Jesus is enough.
This is what it means to receive the Gospel. Repent and say yes to Jesus. Be rescued, not by bargaining or trying hard, but by surrendering everything to the One who gave everything for you. That’s the hope we proclaim. That’s the invitation for you today.