Previously in the book of Acts…
Peter had just stood boldly before thousands of Jewish people – some of whom may have literally called for Jesus’ execution – and had preached a message with this punch line: “Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
And instead of turning into an angry mob and killing him for making this indictment, they were cut to the heart and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter tells them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins so that they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And they do! And Luke gives us this amazing report.
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).”
Those three thousand souls didn’t just go on their merry way as individual disciples of Jesus. They were added to something. Added to what? Peter explains later in his letter.
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10).”
In our passage this Sunday we get a snapshot of what the first floor of this spiritual house looked like as it began to take shape. We see the marks of a people transformed by the mercy they had received through Jesus and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. And we are reminded of our tremendous calling as living stones in this spiritual house.
Kenny Clark will be preaching Acts 2:42-47 this Sunday and Walt Harrah will be leading our sung worship. Would you take some time this week to read the passage and pray for each as they prepare?
See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!
SONG OF THE WEEK