Pulpit Speech II KL Paulson Preacher Silcox 4-20-1999Peter, the Disciplemaker TEXT: Acts 10:34-48
INTRODUCTION:
Note: The context of this passage of Scripture starts way back at the beginning of Chapter 10.
-- Up to this time in the history of the church, most of those who believed were JEWISH.
-- Jesus & His disciples were JEWS.
-- The disciples were thus now taking it for granted that the gospel was mainly for JEWS.
-- The time had now come for God to make it very clear that the gospel was for GENTILE as well as Jew.
-- PETER was the logical one to whom God would give such instruction.
I. JESUS & THE WAY OF SALVATION (34-43)
See Acts 11:13b-14A. Peter OPENED HIS MOUTH [He had something imporant to say.] 1. Verse 34. "God is no respecter of persons:" God is NOT biased. The Jew & the Gentile are on the SAME level. Both come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) Both REQUIRE redemption (Ephesians 1:7) B. FRUITS of God's children - Born-again Christians 1. Verse 35. They "fear" [respect] God - worship in spirit & truth Their works are righteous. They are able to please God. 2. Verse 36. God sent forth [commissioned] His church to go to the children of Israel 1st. They were to "preach" the GOSPEL of "peace". (Isaiah 57:19; Luke 2:14; Ephesians 2:17; Colossians 1:20-21) The LORD Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. 3. Verse 37. The GOSPEL is then to be continued to be PREACHED "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Act 1:8) REPENTANCE toward God, & FAITH toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19; 11:18b,21; 20:21) C. God Is a TRINITY: 1. Verse 38. a. "God" the Father "anointed Jesus of Nazareth" - the coming Messiah "with the Holy Ghost" b. Christ is God with us as EVIDENCED by Fulfilling the Law Healing the Afflicted D. Peter TESTIFIED 1. Verse 39. Peter was a first-hand WITNESS of all that Jesus accomplished even His crowing achievement - Shedding the atoning BLOOD on the Cross (Hebrews 9:22b; I John 1:7b; Revelation 1:5b) 3. Verse 40a. Peter PREACHED the GOSPEL here (I Corinthians 15:1-4,5) a. the Death = "they slew and hanged on a tree" b. Burial c. Bodily Resurrection the 3rd day 4. Verse 40b-41. Peter was a privileged post-resurrection viewer of the God-man. He ate & drank with Him after he rose the dead. A spirit has not flesh & blood. 5. Verse 42. Christ COMMANDED Peter & the rest of the Twelve [the local church] to preach unto the people - LOST & dieing world. Jesus is to be the righteous JUDGE whether at the future a. Great White Throne Judgment - LOST (Revelation 20:11-15) or b. The Judgment Seat of Christ - SAVED () 6. Verse 43. All that was encompassed in the name JESUS was witnessed to by the PROPHETS of old, whether by type, symbol, etc. (Isaiah 53; Ezekiel 36:26-27) Now, in the dispensation of Grace "whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." FORGIVENESS is FREE to All FOREVER (Romans 3:24) Our PARDON has been PAID in FULL.II. "the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." (44-46a)
See Acts 11:15-18A. Verse 44. As Peter PREACHES [1st step in the Great Commission] the HOLY GHOST Teaches & CONVICTS the hearts of those unlearned & who have not believed. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) B. Verse 45. The Jewish believers [circumcized of the flesh] are "astonished" that even Gentile(s) with Cornelius receive "the gift of the Holy Ghost." These Gentiles personally TURNED from their sins & BELIEVED on the Lord Jesus Christ.III. "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized...?" (46b-48)
See Acts 11:11-12A. Verse 46b-48a. PETER the DISCIPLEMAKER then is obedient to the 2nd step of the Great Commission - BAPTIZING BELIEVERS. He gets PERMISSION from the quorum of 6 with him to Scripturally BAPTIZE. He accomplishes this by complete IMMERSION in WATER in the Trinity's name -- remember Verse 38. B. Verse 48b. The baptized convert(s) are then INSTRUCTED further certain days by Peter -- thus TRAINING is provided for [the 3rd step of the Great Commission].CONCLUSION:
-- Are you SAVED? -- IF so, have you been SCRIPTURALLY BAPTIZED? -- IF so, are you SOUL-WINNING [witnessing]? [Peter experienced all three of these in his lifetime on earth? What about you?]