Acts 2:41-47
Scripture Reference
Acts 2:41-47
Introduction
We return to Acts chapter 2 to finish a sermon series on the responsibilities of a Christian and a church. The early church in Acts provides a pattern of salvation, separation, service, sacrificial giving, unity, worship, and spiritual growth. These verses show practical, spiritual duties that every believer — especially young adults striving for maturity — must take seriously. The text calls us to live out the gospel in community, to be busy about the Father’s business, and to trust God to build His church when we do what He commands.
I don’t know about you, but I think about it a lot. On how different things would be if I didn’t get saved and God didn’t salvage my life.
Quote from Preacher
Dr. Terry LeQuieu opens with a personal testimony about gratitude for God’s grace and how salvation changes lives. That testimony frames the duties that follow: the responsibilities God gives to those He saves.
Outline
- Saved — The Starting Point
- Text: Acts 2:41 — “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.”
- Salvation is the first responsibility: be born again. Without being saved, none of the other responsibilities properly follow. Receiving Christ leads to baptism and a new identity in the body of Christ.
- Separated — Set Apart for Service
- Text: Acts 2:41–42 — baptism and joining the fellowship
- Separation here is not isolation but holy dedication. New converts separated themselves unto God’s work (baptism, regular fellowship, and discipleship).
- Steadfast — Rooted and Grounded
- Text: Acts 2:42 — “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine”
- Steadfastness means consistent discipleship: studying doctrine, applying Scripture, and growing in truth. The early church shows that growth is intentional and communal.
- Sanctified — Living in Reverent Fear
- Text: Acts 2:43 — “and fear came upon every soul”
- Sanctification is progressive: God’s work in believers produces reverence, moral change, and dependence upon the Lord’s power.
- Spectacular — Signs, Wonders, and God’s Power
- Text: Acts 2:43 — “many wonders and signs were done by the apostles”
- The apostles’ works authenticated the gospel. Spiritual power will often accompany faithful proclamation and obedient living.
- Single People — Unity of Purpose
- Text: Acts 2:44 — “all that believed were together and had all things common”
- Unity means being one in the main things: evangelism, gospel priorities, and love for one another. Disagreements on secondary matters are expected, but not at the cost of mission or brotherly love.
- Supporting idea: First Corinthians 12 teaches that God places each member in the body as He wills. Every role matters; we must resist cliques and schisms that tear unity apart.
- Sacrificial — Giving to Meet Needs
- Text: Acts 2:45 — “and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need”
- A church that loves acts sacrificially. Giving is not transactional or manipulative; it is the outworking of pure religion (James 1:27). The early church shared resources to meet needs — an example for us to follow.
- Practical principle: Give cheerfully and willingly (2 Corinthians 9:7). Where your treasure is, your heart will follow (Matthew 6:21).
- Spiritual — Worship, Attendance, and Fellowship
- Text: Acts 2:46 — “continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house”
- Spiritual people prioritize being with God’s people. Regular attendance, corporate worship, and house-to-house fellowship demonstrate a living faith. Spirituality shows itself in persistent devotion.
- Note: Spiritual life is practical — it affects where you are (church, Bible study, prayer), not only what you feel.
- Singing People — Praise as Preparation
- Text: Acts 2:47 — “praising God”
- Singing is worship that prepares hearts for the Word. Praise expresses gratitude, shapes our affections, and proclaims God’s greatness (Psa. 100; Psa. 150; Phil. 4:4).
- Encouragement: Vocal ability is not the test — God delights in praise. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God Himself rejoices with singing.
- Successful People — God Builds the Church
- Text: Acts 2:47 — “and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved”
- Success in God’s economy follows faithfulness: preach the Word, win souls, disciple converts, and trust God to grow His church (Matthew 16:18; Joshua 1:8). God adds — we obey.
- Warning: Building by entertainment or secular methods aims for numbers; biblical growth is by gospel proclamation and Spirit-led conversion.
- Responsibilities Reviewed — Tenfold Call
- Saved; Separated; Steadfast; Sanctified; Spectacular
- Single-minded; Sacrificial; Spiritual; Singing; Successful
- Each of these flows from the previous — salvation leads to service, unity fuels sacrifice, sacrifice deepens spirituality, and spirituality produces praise and growth.
Summary
The early church in Acts 2 gives us a clear model: conversion must lead to a changed life that is devoted to God and others. Saving faith produces separation from sin, steadfast commitment to doctrine, sanctification, and visible works that validate the gospel. The church should be united in purpose, sacrificial in giving, spiritual in devotion, joyful in praise, and ultimately successful in seeing the Lord add to the church. These responsibilities are not optional if we want to be faithful to God’s design.
Are you fulfilling God’s will for your life? Are you fulfilling the responsibilities that God has given you? Are you serving God to your fullest potential?
Quote to Ponder
This question from Dr. Terry LeQuieu calls each believer to honest self-examination. It is a sobering and motivating charge to not settle for less than God expects.
Application for the Week
Practical steps to live out Acts 2 in the coming week. These are aimed especially at young adults seeking spiritual maturity, but they apply to every member.
- Examine your salvation
- Spend 10–15 minutes each morning in prayer this week remembering your conversion and thanking God for salvation. If you are unsure about your salvation, speak to the pastor or a trusted mature believer.
- Engage in the church
- Attend at least one extra church event this week beyond Sunday (midweek service, Bible study, or small group). If you are not a member, ask how to begin membership classes.
- Share the gospel
- Take at least three gospel tracts or invitations with you when you run errands. Pray for divine appointments and look for one opportunity to invite someone to church or to share the plan of salvation.
- Give sacrificially
- Pray about your giving and, if possible, increase your regular giving by a small percent this month. Practice cheerful, purposeful giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- Be intentional in fellowship
- Invite a church family member to coffee, a meal, or a walk this week to build relationships and to encourage someone younger or newer in the faith.
- Sing and pray with joy
- Prepare your heart before Sunday worship: spend five minutes reading a Psalm (try Psalm 100 or 150) and pray for a thankful spirit so that you participate in praise—not merely observe.
- Serve faithfully
- Identify one ministry area where you can serve regularly (bus ministry, youth, greeters, outreach). Commit to show up faithfully for the next four weeks and evaluate how God uses you.
- Daily discipline
- Read Acts 2 each morning for four days this week and write one practical takeaway each day. Put that takeaway into action before the next day.
These steps are small, practical, and measurable. As Dr. LeQuieu reminded us, God is pleased to place you where you are for such a time as this. Obeying these responsibilities prepares you to be used by God and to see Him add souls to His church.
Blessings as you seek to be faithful. If you need help implementing any of these steps or desire accountability, contact your pastor or a mature believer to partner with you this week.
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