INTRODUCTION

Literal baptism, in a New Testament sense, is immersion in water, and as a church ordinance there is only one baptism, that is, one kind of baptism, among faithful believers of the one faith [Ephesians 4:5]. This is the baptism started by John, a man sent from God [John 1:6]; the baptism received by Jesus [Mark 1:9], and committed to Christ's church as an ordinance to be observed till the end of the age [Matthew 28: 19].

However, in figurative meanings (evidenced by context), other baptisms are mentioned, including the baptism of the church in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. In this unique event Jesus publicly accredited His church as the institution authorized to carry out His commission during this age, and endued it with the spiritual power and gifts needed for His work.

From the inspired record of Acts 2 we have a few verses selected for this lesson, which may be outlined as follows:

1. Enduement, Acts 2:1-4.
	a. Holy submission, 1.
	b. Holy sound, 2.
	c. Holy symbols, 3.
	d. Holy Spirit, 4.

2. Excitement, Acts 2:5-6.
	a. Audience available, 5.
	b. Audience assembled, 6.

3. Evangel, Acts 2:32-36.
	a. Resurrection proclaimed, 32-33.
	b. Resurrection prophesied, 34-35.
	c. Resurrection position, 36.

4. Engagement, Acts 37-39.
	a. Cry of conscience, 37.
	b. Repentance and remission, 38.
	c. Proclamation of promise, 39.

5. Enlistment, Acts 2:40-42.
	a. Apostles' fervency, 40.
	b. Apostles' faith, 41.
	c. Apostles' fellowship, 42. 

NOTES ON THE TEXT:

ENDUEMENT, Acts 2:1-4.

At Pentecost the church received that enduement of power which Jesus had promised it before He left [Luke 24:49]. This power is in and of the Holy Spirit, and at that time the Spirit came to dwell permanently in this church as an institution, manifesting His presence ever since in churches of this kind more than anywhere else on earth.

Holy Submission, 1.

Luke 24:53 tells us the "one place" where all the assembled members of this first church were "with one accord" was "in the temple." In holy submission and obedience to its risen and ascended Lord, the body of Christ was awaiting the fulfillment of the Father's promise which it had heard from the Head [Acts 1:4].

Holy Sound, 2.

"Suddenly" -- not in manner of a natural windstorm, but by divine miracle -- "there came a sound from heaven." Probably there was no natural wind at all, but the sound was "as of a rushing mighty wind," and this sound "filled all the house." It was the Holy Spirit making known His presence

Holy Symbols, 3.

Wind and fire are common symbols for the Holy Spirit. The appearance of "tongues like as of fire" symbolized the fact that the Holy Spirit was about to make miraculous use of human tongues. The appearance "upon each" of the church members showed that God would use each one in personal testimony, as we find in the following context.

Holy Spirit, 4.

Note that "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." The word "tongues," of course, means languages, not gibberish or mumbo jumbo. The audience heard and understood them speaking in other languages [verses 8-11] simply because the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in other languages.

EXCITEMENT, Acts 2:5-6.

Considering all the excitement associated with the modern counterfeiting of Pentecost, we may readily imagine the excitement caused by the real thing.

Audience Available, 5.

Besides the number of people in and around the temple, uncounted thousands of "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven," we are told here, "were dwelling at Jerusalem."

Audience Assembled, 6.

Crowds are generally attracted by excitement, and so it was here. News of something strange going on in the temple spread fast, and "the multitude came together." Individual members of the church were witnessing to individuals and small groups in the assembled audience, using different languages suited to the hearers. No wonder those hearers "were confounded!"

EVANGEL, Acts 2:32-36.

Skipping much of the chapter, we resume the lesson in the latter part of Peter's sermon. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, it is a powerful declaration of the gospel [I Corinthians 15:1-4 ]

Resurrection Proclaimed, 32-33.

Peter had the united testimony of the whole church to support his own words: "We all are witnesses." Moreover, the manifest working of the Holy Spirit in and through those witnesses testified to the exalted glory of the resurrected Christ.

Resurrection Prophesied, 34-35.

Even more conclusive proof of the resurrection was the fact that it was in full accord with the prophecies of God's Word, including here a quotation from David.

Resurrection Position, 36.

Here now is the clincher, the truth that struck home to the hearts of the hearers. They had crucified a man named Jesus, and God had made that same Jesus "both Lord and Christ."

Oh, sinner! When you reject Jesus, you do not reject merely a great and good man; you reject the Lord of life, God's anointed Prophet, Priest, and King, and your coming Judge!

ENGAGEMENT, Acts 2:37-39.

So faithful preaching of the gospel leads to personal confrontation, personal engagement, personal receiving or rejecting of the truth and of Him Who is the Truth.

Cry of Conscience, 37.

"Pricked in their heart," souls under conviction cried out for further instruction. "What shall we do?"

Repentance and Remission, 38.

When the sinner repents, he changes his mind from unbelief to belief, and the believer is not condemned; that is, he has obtained remission of sins. Therefore he ought to be baptized because of the remission of sins. If he has truly repented it was with the help and power of the Holy Spirit, and the gift of the Holy Spirit will be an abiding presence in his heart.

Proclamation of Promise, 39.

In the very preaching of the gospel God is calling sinners to repentance, and God "now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" [Acts 17:30]. If you can hear the call, the promise is to you!

ENLISTMENT, Acts 2:40-42.

God-called preachers and genuine churches of the Lord Jesus are concerned not only with getting "decisions" or professions of faith, but also with enlisting the saved in His service. This means much more than religious ritual and activity; it means consecration of life.

Apostles' Fervency, 40.

Like the apostle Paul [II Corinthians 5:11], the apostle Peter sought to persuade men. "With many other words did he testify and exhort." It may be observed that the only way sinners can save themselves is to accept the salvation of God. Really the imperative exhortation, "Save yourselves," would be better translated "Be saved" or "Get saved."

Apostles' Faith, 41.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized." Who were baptized? Those who received the faith of the apostles, showing thereby that they had been born of God [I John 5:1]. Why were they baptized? Because Jesus commanded it, and because baptism is prerequisite to church membership. And so on the same day 3,000 souls were added to the church previously numbering about 120 [Acts 1:15].

Heretics who complain that 12 apostles and perhaps 70 other ministers [Luke 10:1] cold not have baptized 3,000 in one day are merely parading their own ignorance.

Apostles' Fellowship, 42.

Effects of genuine manifestations of spiritual power are more lasting than those of fleshly emotional orgies. After their experience at Pentecost, the members of this church "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Beware of false religionists who claim "Pentecostal" experiences but are strangers to the fellowship and doctrine of the apostles.

CONCLUSION [John 1:33]

John the Baptist was speaking here, quoting the promise of the Father, and his words were fulfilled at Pentecost.
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[From Ashland Avenue Baptist weekly paper, March 10, 1978, pp. 2-3. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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