DAILY BIBLE READING June 1st, 2020 ACTS 2:22-47 (GNT)

God’s Life-Giving Word of Spiritual Renewal

INTRODUCTION

Acts 2:22-47: In speaking to those gathered in Jerusalem on Pentecost, Peter continues his speech, placing Jesus in the line of David as the Messiah. He invites the people to be baptized, and three thousand new believers are baptized in one day. The early church gathers each day for prayer and fellowship.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ACTS 2:38

Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven, and you will receive God’s gift, the Holy Spirit.”

TODAY'S READING

22“Listen to these words, fellow Israelites! Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you. 23 In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him. 24 But God raised him from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner. 25 For David said about him,

‘I saw the Lord before me at all times;

he is near me, and I will not be troubled.

26And so I am filled with gladness,

and my words are full of joy.

And I, mortal though I am,

will rest assured in hope,

27because you will not abandon me in the world of the dead;

you will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave.

28You have shown me the paths that lead to life,

and your presence will fill me with joy.’

29“My friends, I must speak to you plainly about our famous ancestor King David. He died and was buried, and his grave is here with us to this very day. 30 He was a prophet, and he knew what God had promised him: God had made a vow that he would make one of David's descendants a king, just as David was. 31David saw what God was going to do in the future, and so he spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah when he said,

‘He was not abandoned in the world of the dead;

his body did not rot in the grave.’

32God has raised this very Jesus from death, and we are all witnesses to this fact. 33He has been raised to the right side of God, his Father, and has received from him the Holy Spirit, as he had promised. What you now see and hear is his gift that he has poured out on us. 34 For it was not David who went up into heaven; rather he said,

‘The Lord said to my Lord:

Sit here at my right side

35until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet.’

36“All the people of Israel, then, are to know for sure that this Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one that God has made Lord and Messiah!”

37When the people heard this, they were deeply troubled and said to Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do, brothers?”

38Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit. 39For God's promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away—all whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

40Peter made his appeal to them and with many other words he urged them, saying, “Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!” 41Many of them believed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people were added to the group that day. 42They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.

Life among the Believers

43Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. 44 All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. 45They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. 46Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, 47praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

REFLECT

How did people react to Peter’s message (verse 37)? What did Peter tell them (verses 38, 39)?
What is the promise he speaks of? What does that promise mean to you? How is life among the believers described in verses 43-47? How would you describe life among those who are members of your community of faith?

PRAY

I thank you, Lord God, for the gift of your Holy Spirit and for your promise of forgiveness in Jesus’s name. Bind all believers in close fellowship to worship and serve you. Amen.

PRAYER CONCERN

Those preparing for baptism