ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?

[Scott Hutchinson]

In Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost was ACTS.2:38 the main message or the altar call ?

[tv1a]

If it weren't for John 3:16, there would be no need for Acts 2:38.

[OneAccord]

Acts 2:38 and 39 was an answer to a question. An altar call, if you will. Peters sermon began with verse 14 and ends with verse 36.

I've always found it interesting that the Bible says And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Act 2:42 The Apostles Doctrine, as far as we know, consisted of two sermons. (Acts, 1:16-23 and Acts 2:14-36, 38-39). I'm sure there was other teaching and preaching going on during that period. Wouldn't it have been nice if someone would have written those messages down?

Question: Can we extropolate, from these two sermons, all the teachings we often refer to as the Apostoles Doctrine? (Oneness, Baptism, Holiness, etc.) In other words, can we base Apostolic teachings in their entirety on these two sermons?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

Acts 2:38 and 39 was an answer to a question. An altar call, if you will. Peters sermon began with verse 14 and ends with verse 36.

I've always found it interesting that the Bible says And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Act 2:42 The Apostles Doctrine, as far as we know, consisted of two sermons. (Acts, 1:16-23 and Acts 2:14-36, 38-39). I'm sure there was other teaching and preaching going on during that period. Wouldn't it have been nice if someone would have written those messages down?

Question: Can we extropolate, from these two sermons, all the teachings we often refer to as the Apostoles Doctrine? (Oneness, Baptism, Holiness, etc.) In other words, can we base Apostolic teachings in their entirety on these two sermons?

Can we or do we?

[Sam]

I don't consider Acts 1:16-23 to be a sermon or teaching but something spoken by the Apostle Peter in a business meeting.

I believe Acts 2:38-39 is a call to salvation and also to post salvation experiences for Christians such as baptism in water and baptism in the Spirit.

Peter told the crowd on that Pentecost Sunday back in AD 30 how to get saved in Acts 2:21 when he said that whoseover calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The "plan of salvation" preached by Peter and Paul is the same i.e. call on the name of the Lord.

As Peter brought his sermon to a close, many were convicted and cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (not what shall we do to be saved as it is often misquoted). That is recorded in verse 37.

Peter then said:
1. turn to the Lord in repentance, call on Him for mercy and be saved
2. Follow up that salvation experience with the mikveh/baptism ceremony because of the forgiveness/remission of your sins
3. And you too can receive the Promise of the Father, this great Holy Ghost Baptism experience which Jesus has poured out on us.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

Acts 2:38 and 39 was an answer to a question. An altar call, if you will. Peters sermon began with verse 14 and ends with verse 36.

I've always found it interesting that the Bible says And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Act 2:42 The Apostles Doctrine, as far as we know, consisted of two sermons. (Acts, 1:16-23 and Acts 2:14-36, 38-39). I'm sure there was other teaching and preaching going on during that period. Wouldn't it have been nice if someone would have written those messages down?

Question: Can we extropolate, from these two sermons, all the teachings we often refer to as the Apostoles Doctrine? (Oneness, Baptism, Holiness, etc.) In other words, can we base Apostolic teachings in their entirety on these two sermons?

Luke is writing much later - most likely around 30 years after Peter had preached that sermon. When he says, "Apostle's doctrine" in chapter 2, he has the whole 30 year time span in mind. We can "fill in the blanks" as it were, by reading what Paul and the others had written during that 30 year time period (and even after, as in the case of the "Prison Epistles").

[Sam]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Luke is writing much later - most likely around 30 years after Peter had preached that sermon. When he says, "Apostle's doctrine" in chapter 2, he has the whole 30 year time span in mind. We can "fill in the blanks" as it were, by reading what Paul and the others had written during that 30 year time period (and even after, as in the case of the "Prison Epistles").

The Book of Acts ends up with Paul in Rome. It was probably around the end of AD 61. During the time in prison there he had written Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. There are differences of opinion, but it is generally held that Paul was released and traveled for a few more years, was imprisoned again, and wrote 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. The Gospel of Luke was written some time before the Book of Acts --possibly while Paul was under arrest in Jerusalem. Here Luke would have had ample time to interview people who had interacted with Jesus, maybe even His family members for material for what became the Book of Luke.

[El Predicador]

It was an answer to a question.

What must I do to be saved?

Hesitate to call it an altar call.

They asked him.

He didn't count to three, or ask for a show of hands,

Or even tell scary stories about kids being run over

by chariots on the way home.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by El Predicador

It was an answer to a question.

What must I do to be saved?

Hesitate to call it an altar call.

They asked him.

He didn't count to three, or ask for a show of hands,

Or even tell scary stories about kids being run over

by chariots on the way home.

The kids being run over by chariots might have been included in "and with many other words did he testify and exhort saying Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (verse 40) along with the bifurcated garments, hair touching the ears, etc.

[TGBTG]

Originally Posted by El Predicador

It was an answer to a question.

What must I do to be saved?

Hesitate to call it an altar call.

They asked him.

He didn't count to three, or ask for a show of hands,

Or even tell scary stories about kids being run over

by chariots on the way home.

That was not the question asked in Acts 2:38

That question was actually asked in Acts 16:30-31 and here is the answer:
Acts 16
30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.