Conversion Then and Now
Acts 2:14-18
C:\DROP BOX\ConversionThen and NowActs 2.SER.wpd January 29, 2012
Introduction
Do you realize there are certain ingredients in every ones
Conversion Experience? Many of the circumstances will be different but the ingredients will be the same. Lets look at these ingredients.
1. The Holy Spirit Gives the Ability to . . Communicate the Gospel Then and Now.
Acts 2:14-18 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. NKJV
1. propheteuo (prof-ate-yoo'-o); from NT:4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office:
A. The Lord Told Them they Would Be . . Witnesses. Acts 1:8
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." NKJV
B. The Lord Told Us we Would Be . . Witnesses.
Matt 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. NKJV
Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 5:14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, NKJV
Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. NKJV
Acts 6:1& 7 1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. NKJV
Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. NKJV
Illustration
Christa’s recent experiences on the phone and with the TV service man and man from the electric company.
Experiences in Florida, Most knew why they were wearing the cross. I ask do you really know the Lord---- then asked have you made a commitment to the Lord. NO I have not done that.
Application
The Gospel Must be Communicated.
2. The Holy Spirit After Communication of the Gospel Brings . . Conviction. Acts 2:36-37
36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
A. Conviction works on the . . Hearing. 2:37a
37 Now when they heard this, . . . ”
B. Conviction works on the . . Heart. 2:37b
“. . . they were cut to the heart, . . .”
C. Conviction works on the . .Head. 2:37c
“. . . and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" NKJV
God’s Holy Spirit brings conviction and without it you can’t
be saved.
John 16:7-8 (NKJV) 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 6:44 (NKJV) 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Illustration
Out in West Virginia a young man came to church with one of our young ladies and he got under conviction. He called and said, I need to talk to you. I told him I was getting ready to leave town.
He asked if we could talk over the phone. He said I need to know how to get saved. He is an example of one being under conviction and did not want to wait.
Application
A Prayer to lead others to Christ:
1. Lord lead me into opportunities to share what I know
about Jesus.
2. Lord Help me to know those experiences are before me.
3. Lord help me to be bold in my sharing.
Depending on the Holy Spirit.
3. The Holy Spirit After Conviction Brings . . Conversion. Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
A. The Question That was . . Asked. 2:37c
“. . . and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" NKJV
B. The Question That was . . Answered. 2:38
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
1. The word “for” = because of: Prison example.
What are you here for, Murder. Not to commit it but
because you did.
TLB Acts 2:38-41 (NLT) 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
2. Do you ever remember being under conviction about your
need to be saved
Application
4. The Holy Spirit After Conversion Brings . . Church Membership. Acts 2:41
Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. NKJV
1. Added to the Church. Acts 2:41 (NKJV) 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Acts 2:41 (NLT) Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
2. Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
3. Acts 4:4 (NKJV) However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
4. Multiplied In the Church. Acts 6:7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. NKJV
Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea,
Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. NKJV
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. V
If one win one and those two each win one and that continues
in 33 years the entire world will be won to Jesus.
1. 1+1=2,
2. 2+2=4,
3. 4+4=8
4. 8+8=16
5. 16+16-32
6. 32+32=64
7. 64+64=128
8. 128+128=256
9. 256+256=512
10 512+512=1,024
11. 1024+1024=2048
12. 2048+2048=4096
13. 4096+4096=8192
14. 8192x2=16,384
15. 16384x2=32768
16. 32768x2=65536
17, 65536x2=131,072
18. 252,144x2=262,144
19. 262144x2=524,288
20. 52488x2=1,048,576
21.1048576x2=2,096,152
22. 2096152x2=4192304
23. 4192304=8384608
24. 16,769,216
25. 33,538,432
26. 67,076,684
27. 124,153,368
28. 248,306,736
29. 496,613.472
30. 992,226,944
31. 1,984,453,888
32. 3, 968,907,776
33. 7,937,815,552
Application
The Holy Spirit After Conversion Brings . . Church Membership.
5. The Holy Spirit After Conversion Brings . . Christian Growth. Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42 (NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
A. Steadfastly In Doctrine. 2:42a
B. Strong in Fellowship. 2:42b
C. Strong in Prayer. 2:42c
Illustration
Look at Ken Moore, Paul Manentz, Vic Miller. They are all newer Christians who continued in the Faith. They are serious about it.
Application
This is all the work of the Holy Spirit.
1. The Holy Spirit Gives the Ability to . . Communicate the Gospel Then and Now.
2. The Holy Spirit After Communication of the Gospel Brings . . Conviction.
3. The Holy Spirit After Conviction Brings . . Conversion.
4. The Holy Spirit After Conversion Brings . . Church Membership.
5. The Holy Spirit After Conversion Brings . . Christian Growth.