05/31/2026
Sunday, May 31, 2026 Sermon
“Power of the Holy Spirit”
We are going to study the “Acts of the Apostles” which is about the New Testament Church for the next few weeks. We began in Acts with the Ascension of Jesus. We continued with the Day of Pentecost (part 1 & 2) when the gift of the promised Holy Spirit was given first to the one hundred and twenty followers when the power came upon them. Peter stood up and boldly preached a sermon to a crowd of devout Jews and the Holy Spirit convicted their hearts and they were saved, filled, and baptized being added to the church that day, 3000 souls. Now we will pick up at verse 2:41 and continue to chapter 3:10.
We can learn a lot of lessons from the newly birthed, New Testament Church of Believers.
Let’s go to the text:
Acts 2:41-47, 3:1-10
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The Lame Beggar Healed
3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.[a] 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD. THANKS BE TO GOD.
The first expression I would think is, “Wow how amazing is our God!” the second thing is where are we going to put 3000 new church members and how are we going to disciple them? Would our church be ready for an influx of that many new members? What can we do to prepare for when that does happen? The first thing we learn from this passage about the Church is: Devotion
They were devoted to the Apostles teaching, which is for us the Word of God. Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus tells us, that all authority in heaven and on earth is given to Him.
Then He says, Go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father; the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them the things that I have commanded you.
They were devoted to fellowship (Koinonia), which means to hold or share something in common. Fellowship is the gathering of believers to edify one another spiritually by speaking of the work of Jesus in our lives, by the Spirit in and through us. Commitment to one another showed their commitment to following the teachings of Jesus.
Devoted to the Breaking of Bread.
The celebration of the Last Supper was done in their homes, remembering the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The establishment of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:23-24).
Devoted to the Prayers.
Through the guidance of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Believers understood how important and powerful being faithful in praying would be in their daily lives. All of the above points were practice daily in the lives of the new followers of Jesus. It was evident with the signs and wonders that followed that God was doing a new thing in their midst. The signs and wonders brought people to Jesus as the source of the redemptive power of the Holy Spirit, and people were added to the church daily.
Not only did the church grow but also through the loving actions and dedication of the believers, being of one heart and one soul built spiritual unity with each other. Loving one another just as Jesus had commanded in John 13:34-35.
The Apostles would teach the new believers sometimes in Solomon’s Porch where there was a large gathering place as they were going to the Temple to worship or to pray.
Peter and John went to the Temple and saw a beggar requesting alms, which are donations of money or food, etc. which had been laid at the Gate called Beautiful. Josephus the historian describes this Gate as being made of Corinthian Brass; seventy-five feet tall, large double doors, and more spectacular than the gates that were covered with silver and gold.
The beggar was laying in front of the Gate hoping to receive something from the generosity of people going into the Temple Gate. He had been lame since birth and was about forty years old. He looked at Peter and John seeing Peter looking at him intently, hoping to receive something good. I don’t imagine that he was expecting the gift that he received that day. Peter said, “Look at us!” So, the man looked at them. It was unusual for anyone to demand eye contact, so he gave them his attention. Then Peter proclaimed, “I don’t have silver or gold, but I will give you what I do have. In the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter offered the man his right hand and lifted him up. Instantly his feet and ankles became strong as he stood up, he started walking and then leaping for the first time in his life.
The new man did three things:
Walking and leaping, he went in through the Gate that he had laid at for most of his life, finally seeing what was on the other side with Peter and John.
He was walking for the first time and jumping around like a little child, filled with awe wonder and joy.
He began praising God and worshipping Him. He knew that God had shown him mercy and love.
The people there recognized this poor man as the one who had begged for alms and he received much more than he could ever think or imagine by the powerful Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene. They were amazed and awestruck!
“May the Lord bless you and
keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Go with the peace of Jesus into the world. Amen.