Peter continues to connect the suffering of Jesus to the suffering

Peter writes to believers who have been scattered because of the

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose

Acts 4 continues the healing of the lame man from chapter 3, but we

Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose

Peter continues again to remind these believers who are facing

Peter writes to believers who have been scattered because of the

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose

Luke again records an account of the apostles and their ongoing

Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose

As Peter continues to encourage and exhort these believers who have

Peter writes to believers who have been scattered because of the

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose

Peter concludes his sermon, the first in Acts, with the strong application - God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. The people in the audience respond with great emotion and ask, Brothers, what should we do.  Peter responds with a formula that will occur throughout Acts - Repent  and be baptized. It is important to note that Peter begins with  repentance, a call to turn from sin and Jesus can and will forgive. The  call for baptism does not make it a part of salvation, but is actually a  reference to identifying with Jesus once you repent and turn to him in  faith. Following the conversion of about 3000 souls, we are given a  glimpse of the church in its infancy. We are given the elements that  defined the church; worship, instruction, fellowship, prayer and an  ongoing impact with those outside the church. This picture can and  should still define the church today. In order to become a part of the  church, you must accept Jesus personally and then continue to function  as a member of the church.

Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only  book of history that we are given. As Luke writes, a second edition to  his gospel, he continues with two vital themes – first, that Jesus  offers salvation to men and second, that this work – the mission is  accomplished – in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had already  instructed his disciples about the Holy Spirit and his ongoing ministry  to them and all who would come to believe in Jesus. Despite the obvious  focus on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Acts, this book is about  Jesus. Throughout Acts, Jesus is described as Lord (the most common  title for Jesus in Acts), Jesus (67x), Christ (25x), Servant, Holy One,  Just One, a Prophet like Moses, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, Author  of Life, Judge, Man and God. There is absolutely no question that Acts  is the continuing account of all that Jesus began to do and to teach as  presented in the gospel of Luke. The outline of Acts is very  straightforward: Witnesses in Jerusalem (1-7), Witnesses in Judaea &  Samaria (8-12), and Witnesses to the ends of the earth (13-28). Luke  focuses throughout on this truth: You will receive power from the Holy  Spirit and be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. May God strengthen  us to be effective witnesses for Jesus.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose  of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers  and Engaging our Community.

Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!

Peter continues with the exhortation he began back in 2:11-12. Peter exhorted these believers to “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles.”  This is still his point and Peter has been building on this exhortation  with various aspects of life, even household life. He begins with the  believer's response to government (2:13-17). He then moves to the  interactions within the household, beginning with the response of slaves  to masters (2:18-25) and now the response of spouses to one another  (3:1-7). As believers, we must strive to exalt Jesus in our marriages  and in our responses to one another. By God's grace we can.

Peter writes to believers who have been scattered because of the  opposition and persecution they are facing. These believers are now  scattered across Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia; which is  modern day Turkey. Peter addresses throughout this epistle the  appropriate response to suffering. Part of that response involves  understanding our connection as believers to Jesus and the suffering  that he endured on our behalf. We can follow the example of Jesus and  endure suffering and the various hardships that may come into our lives.  Peter writes to encourage these believers to endure because of the  living hope that we have through Jesus. You can endure today, as you  hope in Jesus.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose  of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers  and Engaging our Community.

After the miraculous events that accompany the coming of  the Holy Spirit, Peter steps forward to explain what this crowd that has  gathered just witnessed. Peter begins with a quote from the prophecy of  Joel. He explains that what they have just witnessed is a fulfillment,  in part, of the prophecy of Joel. Peter then explains how Jesus connects  and is actually the Lord, who saves. Peter connects the truth of the  promised Messiah to Jesus, who is also the Lord. Peter concludes with  the reality that Jesus is both Lord and Messiah. Because Jesus is Lord  and Messiah, you must trust him alone to save you from your sins!

Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only  book of history that we are given. As Luke writes, a second edition to  his gospel, he continues with two vital themes – first, that Jesus  offers salvation to men and second, that this work – the mission is  accomplished – in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had already  instructed his disciples about the Holy Spirit and his ongoing ministry  to them and all who would come to believe in Jesus. Despite the obvious  focus on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Acts, this book is about  Jesus. Throughout Acts, Jesus is described as Lord (the most common  title for Jesus in Acts), Jesus (67x), Christ (25x), Servant, Holy One,  Just One, a Prophet like Moses, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, Author  of Life, Judge, Man and God. There is absolutely no question that Acts  is the continuing account of all that Jesus began to do and to teach as  presented in the gospel of Luke. The outline of Acts is very  straightforward: Witnesses in Jerusalem (1-7), Witnesses in Judaea &  Samaria (8-12), and Witnesses to the ends of the earth (13-28). Luke  focuses throughout on this truth: You will receive power from the Holy  Spirit and be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. May God strengthen  us to be effective witnesses for Jesus.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose  of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers  and Engaging our Community.

Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!

Peter continues to encourage these believers who have  been scattered. Specifically, he addresses slaves who may have also been  experiencing opposition from their masters. Peter calls them to look to  the example of Jesus as he suffered for them. As believers, we must  follow the example of Jesus when faced with opposition and suffering.

Peter writes to believers who have been scattered because of the  opposition and persecution they are facing. These believers are now  scattered across Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia; which is  modern day Turkey. Peter addresses throughout this epistle the  appropriate response to suffering. Part of that response involves  understanding our connection as believers to Jesus and the suffering  that he endured on our behalf. We can follow the example of Jesus and  endure suffering and the various hardships that may come into our lives.  Peter writes to encourage these believers to endure because of the  living hope that we have through Jesus. You can endure today, as you  hope in Jesus.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose  of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers  and Engaging our Community.

Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!

As we continue our study in the book of Acts, we  considered today the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of  believers. Our goal is to consider his ongoing work in the lives of  people, especially believers today. We discussed the varied descriptions  of his working: regeneration, indwelling, sealing, anointing, the  baptism of the Spirit, and filling. The Holy Spirit is very much at work  today, but very often the work he was doing as the church began is  confused with the work he is doing today. The Holy Spirit is very  clearly doing the work of transforming lives and the early church  community. Today, that is still his work and he does it through the  powerful word of God applied to the lives of believers and then the  grace he provides to obey. Believers have and need the Holy Spirit to be  all that God intends them to be, but as we noted, we have the Holy  Spirit and he at work in our lives through the Word.

Acts is a unique book in our New Testament, because it is the only  book of history that we are given. As Luke writes, a second edition to  his gospel, he continues with two vital themes – first, that Jesus  offers salvation to men and second, that this work – the mission is  accomplished – in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had already  instructed his disciples about the Holy Spirit and his ongoing ministry  to them and all who would come to believe in Jesus. Despite the obvious  focus on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Acts, this book is about  Jesus. Throughout Acts, Jesus is described as Lord (the most common  title for Jesus in Acts), Jesus (67x), Christ (25x), Servant, Holy One,  Just One, a Prophet like Moses, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, Author  of Life, Judge, Man and God. There is absolutely no question that Acts  is the continuing account of all that Jesus began to do and to teach as  presented in the gospel of Luke. The outline of Acts is very  straightforward: Witnesses in Jerusalem (1-7), Witnesses in Judaea &  Samaria (8-12), and Witnesses to the ends of the earth (13-28). Luke  focuses throughout on this truth: You will receive power from the Holy  Spirit and be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. May God strengthen  us to be effective witnesses for Jesus.

Graceway Church of Michiana exists in South Bend, IN for the purpose  of Exalting our great God and Savior, Edifying and Encouraging believers  and Engaging our Community.

Graceway Church is committed to being a God Exalting, Christ Centered, Spirit Motivated, Word Focused local body of Believers!