Kent Bailey
In the second chapter of the book of Acts we have a record of the first gospel sermon. Following the second chapter we have a record of numerous conversions to Christ; such as in chapter eight, the story of the Ethiopian treasurer; in chapter nine the conversion of Saul of Tarsus; in chapter ten, the case of Cornelius; in chapter 16, the conversions of Lydia and the jailor; in chapter 18, the baptism of the Corinthians. A study of the book of Acts reveals that of the beginning of the gospel as well as inspired accounts of the preaching of such. Acts chapter two not only records the first time wherein the gospel of Christ was preached; such also records the conversion of the three thousand.
By studying the gospel we often refer to cases of conversion. When lawyers refer to a case they speak with reference to situations that have been decided by previous courts of law. When they speak of such, they cite case books and note that the cases that they argue are parallel to the previous argued cases and thus constitutes legally binding precedents for a favorable ruling on behalf of their current clients.
This is exactly what the examples of conversion, as recorded in the book of Acts, constitute regarding the gospel of Christ. They are cases. It is by these inspired cases that New Testament conversion is established regarding conditions and essentials of sinners coming to Christ for Salvation.
The Gospel in the Beginning: In Isaiah 2:2-4 we are informed that in the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house would be established and that all nations would flow into it; and that out of Zion the new law would be issued and the word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem. In Luke chapter 24 and verses 46 through 48, Christ cited this same passage as set forth in Isaiah 2:2-4 and stated that this prophecy would be fulfilled at Jerusalem stating that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in his name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem.
We note a duplicate prophecy regarding the Gospel In The Beginning as set forth in Micah 4:1-2. We also note Joel 2:28-32 and the fulfillment declared in Acts 2:14-21. Isaiah 2 and Joel 2 both point to Acts 2 as the day of Pentecost being the beginning of the preaching of the gospel.
The Gospel in the Beginning On A Specific Day: Acts 2 depicts a specific day when the gospel had its beginning. Such is referred to as the day of Pentecost (2:1). In Leviticus 23:15 we note that Pentecost would be the annual festival at which the Jews would present to God the first fruits of the harvest as an earnest of the harvest gathering. Pentecost in Acts 2 is the antitype of that Old Testament festival. Pentecost always came on the first day of the week—the day on which Christ arose from death. This was the fiftieth day from the Passover Sabbath—the Sabbath of the Passover week.
Such is a significant fact. Christ arose from death on the first day of the week; he met with his followers on the first day of the week. The Pentecost of Acts 2 came on the first day of the week; and now the gospel had its beginning on the first day of the week.
The Events That Occurred at The Gospel in the Beginning: (1) Christ was proclaimed as the Son of the Living God and Savior/Redeemer of humanity. Matthew 16:18-22 served as a divine announcement that Christ would build his church, the totality of all of those saved (Acts 2:47). The followers of Christ could not preach this truth until the appointed time (Matthew 17:9). (2) The church of Christ was established (Isaiah 28:14-18; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8). The “covenant of death” was disannulled at the resurrection of Christ. (3) For the first time the Holy Spirit performed his work in conviction and conversion (John 16:7-13). (4) For the first time the terms of forgiveness for sin were announced (Luke 24:46-48).
Those Present At The Gospel in the Beginning: Devout individuals out of every nation under heaven. When this great phenomenon was made known regarding the descent of the Holy Spirit (2:14-21), the design of this coming of the Holy Spirit upon the twelve was to inspire them and to qualify them for the apostolic office (Acts 1:4-5,8). As the result of such those present heard the gospel in their own languages (2:7-12). Two aspects were accomplished those who were willing to hear the truth came to know of their lost condition and need of Salvation in addition to seeing the truth confirmed by miraculous activity.
The Preachers of The Gospel in the Beginning: The apostles of Christ were the first preachers of the gospel on the Pentecost under consideration (2:14). Peter was not the only preacher, he stood up with the eleven—twelve in all—and used the apostolic authority that Christ gave them (Matthew 16:19). There is no particular significance of the plural form of the term keys. Such denotes the authority that Christ gave the apostles (all of them). Such did not make Peter the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23). The apostles were the gate-keepers!
The Gospel That Was Preached in the Beginning: (1) The Deity of Christ was clearly set forth as well as being demonstrated by the fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy (2:22-32). (2) Miracles empowered by the Holy Spirit attested to the validity of a correct representation and interpretation of Old Testament prophecy as well as proof of the veracity of the preaching of the apostles (2:33-36).
The Results of The Preaching of The Gospel in the Beginning: 3,000 of those sinners were convicted of their sin. They had become believers and by the implication of the text had confessed their faith in Christ (2:37). As believers they were commanded to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (2:38). They constituted the New Testament church, the totality of those saved from their past sins (Acts 2:41) which collectively speaking constituted Christ’s finished worked on earth—the one true New Testament church (Acts 2:47).
