Sovereign Grace New Testament Reader – 12 – “Additions from the Lord”

“Additions from the Lord” — Acts 2:37-47

37  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38  And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

40  And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

41  So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

43  And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

44  And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

46  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

47  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

Discovery Questions:

1. Do you see anything in these verses that demonstrated the sovereignty of God’s grace?
2. If God called everyone in the same way, would Peter’s words in verse 39 about “everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” make any sense?
3. Peter first says in verse 39 that the promise is “for all” and then says “everyone whom the Lord our God calls…” Does this seem to indicate that the word “all” does not always mean “every individual of the human race” in every instance? (See appendix #1 –  “The Use of the Word All.”)
4. According to verse 47, who is responsible for people being added to the number of believers? Does that mean that God is the one who converts sinners?
5. Do our church growth methods in modern churches often overlook the fact that only God can add genuine believers to our numbers?

Tags: acts, grace, new testament, reader, sovereign