Acts 2:40–47
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 And awe 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.
PRAY
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Devoted - continuing steadfastly, persisting, and giving yourself consistently to something.
Doctrine - the truth being taught...
They were devoted to truth
John 3:16
… ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.’”
- “God so loved the world” tells us that God is personal and loving.
- “He gave His only Son” tells us something about who Jesus is and what God has done to save us.
- “Whoever believes in Him” tells us that salvation is received through faith.
- “Should not perish” tells us that sin has consequences and that God is a righteous Judge.
- “have eternal life” tells us that Jesus offers us more than a better life now, He offers life with God forever.
You can’t avoid doctrine.
What was the apostles’ doctrine?
John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
The Apostles’ Doctrine was the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The gospel was a message they received, a truth upon which they stood, and a reality that reordered their lives.
Three truths about gospel doctrine:
1. Gospel Doctrine Is Outside In, Not Inside Out.
Matthew 16:17
“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
Truth does not originate within us. Truth originates in God, and God has chosen to reveal it to us.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things.
God created you, so God has the authority to tell you who you are.
If you want to become like Jesus, you have to submit yourself to the truth of Jesus.
And where do we find that truth?
In the Word of God. Nothing is going to form you into the image of Jesus like knowing the Word of God deeply.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Our faith does not begin with what we feel.
It begins with what God has said.
#2. Gospel Doctrine Is Good News, Not Good Advice.
Good advice tells you what you need to do.
Good news announces what has already been done.
If we turn Christianity into nothing more than good advice, if our obedience becomes the basis of our acceptance before God, it will always produce one of two things: pride or despair.
Your performance was never meant to be the basis of your acceptance with God.
Christianity is not centered on a list of instructions.
Christianity is centered on a Person.
Luke 24:25–27
O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!… And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Everything in the Bible is pointing to Jesus:
- The law shows us God’s holiness, exposes our inability to save ourselves, and points us toward our need for a Savior.
- The sacrifices point toward Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
- The priesthood points toward Jesus, our great High Priest who brings us into the presence of God.
- The kings point toward Jesus, the true King who rules with righteousness.
- The prophets point toward Jesus, the final Word of God.
- The tabernacle and temple point toward Jesus, the presence of God dwelling among His people.
Your salvation does not depend on your ability to keep the rules. It depends on what Jesus has already done and accomplished for you.
Obedience is not the basis of our acceptance; it is our response to being accepted.
The more clearly we understand the gospel of Jesus, the more deeply it transforms us into His image.
#3. Gospel Doctrine Is A Firm Foundation, Not Sinking Sand.
Matthew 16:17–18
Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church.
What rock?
The revelation of who Jesus is.
Matthew 7:24–27
Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house—but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house—and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
The difference was not the storm. The difference was the foundation.
What you build your life on matters.
When your life is built upon Jesus and shaped by His Word, the storms may shake you, but they do not have to destroy you.