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2BC BIBLE STUDY NOTES

Wednesday in the Word

Second Baptist Church

March 19, 2025

Acts 3:1-Acts 4:4 Evangelism

  1.  As we continue to study evangelism that is recorded in the book of Acts, let’s remind ourselves of some things we have covered so far. Evangelism is the spreading of the good news(gospel) of Jesus Christ! Evangelism involves sharing the gospel message with others. Sharing the good news is always God centered, Christ focused, audience sensitive, and response Oriented. Evangelism is an act of love and obedience to God who calls us to go into the world and share the good news. Evangelism is a crucial step of obedience to God in His call to go and make disciples. The call to repent and believe in Jesus Christ is the first step in discipleship. Also, one of the key elements of evangelism is the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be the Lord's witnesses in this world. The work of the Holy Spirit is what leads, guides and convicts.

  2.  Acts 3:1. In our scripture lesson, we encounter the early disciples being led by the Spirit of God to go up to the Temple during the time of prayer. At this time of day, the temple area was filled with people. A few weeks before, the disciples were afraid to go to the temple, but now they are filled with boldness and courage. The Holy Spirit has empowered them to go where they could possibly face persecution. The same people, who set in motion the crucifixion of Jesus, were still in power and still ready to harm the disciples. We cannot underestimate the boldness that the Holy Spirit can give to believers. Peter was willing to betray Jesus when a little girl asked him if he was one of the disciples. Now Peter is willing to go into the ‘lions’ den looking for an opportunity to preach Jesus.

  3.  Acts 3:2-10. The importance of being ready to share at any time! Upon entering the temple area, Peter and John encountered a man who was lame from birth being carried to the temple gate. This man was placed here every day to beg worshippers for money. We can assume that this man was well known to everyone who frequently visited the Temple. I strongly believe that this man’s situation was designed to highlight the power of God and draw others to the Lord. One of the things that will draw people to the Lord is our testimony of God changing our lives. This man sees Peter and John and ask them for money like he did everyone else that came pass the gate. Peter and John respond by letting the man know that they didn't have any money, but they did have an answer to his physical infirmity. Peter commanded the man to walk in the name of Jesus. Immediately the man was able to walk and began to jump and praise God for all to see. God used Peter and John to heal this man. God used a miracle to bring attention to the gospel message. Everyone who saw the man jumping and praising God were filled with wonder and amazement.

  4.  Acts 3:11-12. It is not about us!!! The man was so excited about what happened to him that he held onto Peter and John. The man wanted to give the credit for his miracle to Peter and John. Peter quickly deflected all the glory back to the Lord. It is important that we clearly explain that we are simply servants of God operating in God's power and not our own. Evangelism is not about building a personal following or gaining popularity. Evangelism is also not about creating a personal empire. Evangelism is leading people to the Lord and not us.

  5. Acts 3:13-16. The importance of making Jesus the center of our evangelism, and sharing that salvation comes by putting our faith in Christ. Peter clearly shares that they were able to perform a miracle because they have put their faith in Jesus Christ, the same Jesus they allowed to be crucified. Peter doesn't hold his tongue with his rebuke on the crowd. Peter performed the same kind of miracle Jesus did. Jesus already established himself as the Messiah with miracles. Why didn't they believe when Jesus did the same kind of miracle? Peter points out that people love miracles but hated the miracle worker. You can't love the blessings of God and not be willing to submit to the blessing giver. Peter tells the crowd that the man was able to walk through and by the power of the name of Jesus. Peter tells the crowd that faith in Jesus is the reason the man was healed. Peter is making sure the crowd knows that faith in Jesus is the requirement for salvation. Getting excited about the power of God does not save anyone, but putting our faith in Christ does. When the Lord gives us an opportunity to share our faith, we must clearly articulate that faith in Jesus is the biggest issue. The miracle was not the biggest issue, but the savior that allowed for the miracle was. Peter even shares that the crucifixion of Christ was part of God's plan foretold by the prophets.

  6. Acts 3:17-19. The importance of letting people know they need to decide. Peter then tells the people to repent. Repent meaning to recognize their sinful condition and turn to the Lord. Peter shares that repenting and turning to the Lord would lead to the forgiveness of their sins. The people are convicted by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is important to lead people to a point of decision. We should offer people an opportunity to decide to put their faith in Christ.

  7. Verses 22-26. The importance of using scripture. Peter invokes the words of the Old Testament prophets and the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15,18 &19 to compel the people to repent. Peter refers to Samuel and the other prophets to back up his claim about Christ. Peter used verses from Genesis 22 and 26 that spoke about the plan of God to bless the entire world through the seed of Abraham. Using the scriptures will be crucial to sharing the gospel. I believe that the scriptures speak to people and affirm to them what the Holy Spirit is saying to their hearts.

  8. Acts 4:1-4. It is important to know that everyone will not be excited about us sharing our faith in Christ. The priest and the temple guard come up to Peter and John and seize them because they were preaching about the very person they had crucified weeks before. They placed Peter and John in jail for preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Their imprisonment did not stop the move of God. The bible says that the fellowship of believers grew from three thousand to about five thousand. An increase of almost two thousand people. Five thousand people came to Christ after two public sermons. The disciples are only doing what Jesus did. They are letting the Holy Spirit lead them and empower them to preach the good news. Let God use you.

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