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Manual of Early Evangelism Lesson 8 |
To the index of this series |
The disciples' encounter with crusade evangelism
Acts 2:1-47
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The Holy Spirit comes on Pentecost, |
Key text:
"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day" (Acts 2:41).Lesson objective: To understand that the first disciples continued Jesus’ ministry and method in preaching the gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit to multitudes at a time.
Introduction: Many today on a worldwide scale are familiar with crusade evangelism through the renowned ministry of the Rev. Billy Graham. He began preaching in small revival tent meetings more than a half a century ago to capacity filled stadiums today, capturing literally millions at a time via technological advances that were not available until recently. The use of giant screen monitors and simultaneous multi-translation channels planted in major metropolitan areas across the globe can send the gospel message live from one single evangelistic event to millions of viewers.
However, crusade or mass evangelism, i.e., the staging of a large evangelistic campaign usually in the thousands through the involvement and support of local leaders and churches, is no recent innovation. The American frontiers in the 18th and 19th centuries brought out thousands at a time to hear such great orators and preachers of the gospel as John Wesley, George Whitefield, Charles Finney and Dwight L. Moody. Vast crowds gathered for evangelistic revivals in large church buildings, in town squares, in open fields outside of cities and towns, and in camp meetings miles into the wilderness. Yes, over the time of their great preaching careers, each of these preachers also reached millions of hearers! Technology is a servant of the gospel, but certainly not its power, for these men had no access to modern means of transportation and had no amplification systems, radio or other electronic media.
According to the apostle Paul, it is the message of the gospel that is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). And, according to the apostle Peter, it is the Holy Spirit who enables the preacher to speak the gospel with authority and power to the mighty conversion of souls (Acts 2:33, 38).
Jesus often ministered to multitudes of people numbering into the thousands (Matthew 14:21; 15:38). Jesus’ best-known sermon was most likely given in the presence of crowds numbering several thousands (Matthew 4:25, 5:1). It is of interest to note that the disciples’ first public ministry after Jesus’ resurrection was crusade evangelism. The crowds numbered in the thousands, out of which 3,000 accepted the gospel! Of course, crusade was not a term the first disciples would have been familiar with, although it simply means to take up the cross; neither was there any extensive planning on their part for the evangelistic "campaign." Nevertheless, it is evident that God had planned this evangelistic event from at least as far back as the time of the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32)!
Mass evangelism is still an effective tool for the church today. As we will see, it is not so much of getting the event planned to the last detail, although that has its place, but getting the message right. You can gather thousands of people into a stadium, but if the message is not there, then you do not have an evangelistic crusade. The power is in the message, and the message is the good news that Jesus Christ died on a cross and paid for the sins of the whole world, was buried and rose again and now reigns as Lord to save sinners who repent and accept him as their personal Lord and Savior. Halleluiah!
Questions for Bible study
Read the following verses and respond to the questions:
1. Acts 2:1-13
a. What was the day of Pentecost, and on what day of the week did it always fall? v. 1. See Leviticus 23:15-22. Note: The old covenant festival fell on a Sunday, and its new covenant fulfillment is understood here as the birthday of the church, the new harvest of firstfruits.
b. What phenomenon took place where the disciples are gathered? v. 2. What is the sound compared to? See John 3:8.
c. What second phenomenon takes place? v. 3. What comparison is made? See Exodus 19:18. Note: In later Jewish tradition Pentecost is also the anniversary of the giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19:1), where the presence of God is depicted by fire.
d. What third phenomenon occurs? v. 4. What had John and Jesus foretold would happen? See Mark 1:6-8; Acts 1:4-5. Note: The advent of the Holy Spirit is a one-time event. Spirit-baptism is now applied to everyone the moment they believe (1 Corinthians 12:13).
e. Who were in Jerusalem at the time, and what reaction did they have at what they heard from the lips of the disciples? vv. 5-6. Note: The scenario has changed from the house in the temple precincts to the streets and into the temple court. Also, the disciples’ prophetic words – associated with the reception of the Spirit – are human languages (a reversal of the curse at the Tower of Babel is at play here).
f. What miracle has occurred so that the crowd is completely amazed? vv. 7-11. What two distinct reactions unfold? vv. 12-13. Why?
g. How do all these events help the disciples prepare for the evangelistic crusade about to take place? How is this similar to preparing for a crusade today? How is it different?
2. Acts 2:14-36
a. What is Peter’s immediate purpose in addressing the crowd? vv. 14-15. Note: It was only nine in the morning, a rebuttal to verse 13.
b. What is the true explanation for the strange phenomena of that Sunday morning? vv. 16-18. Note: The first part of the early apostolic message stressed the arrival and fulfillment of the messianic age.
c. What is the meaning of the extended quote from the prophet Joel in verses 19 and 20? Note: Scholars debate whether these verses were fulfilled: 1) at the crucifixion, 2) at the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70, or 3) still to be fulfilled in the future at the Second Coming.
d. What good news fulfillment does this last quote from Joel point toward? v. 21; 4:12. Note: Here the sacred name Yahweh is applied to Jesus, emphasizing his full deity and equality with the Father.
e. How does Peter present the gospel to his audience? vv. 22-24. In your own words give the details of Peter’s Christ story. Note: The second part of the early apostolic proclamation is the retelling of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
f. What Scripture texts does Peter offer to prove his point? vv. 25-35. Can you follow Peter’s argument and explain? The third part of the early apostolic message was the scriptural proof of Jesus’ messiahship.
g. At the end of his apostolic sermon, what conclusion does Peter give? v. 36. Why?
3. Acts 2:37-47
a. What was the people’s reaction after they heard the message? v. 37. How does Peter conclude his message? vv. 38-39. The fourth and final part of the early apostolic message was the call to repentance.
b. What were the results of this evangelistic crusade? vv. 40-41. What were the results at Sinai? See Exodus 32:28. Why? How important is it to get the message right?
c. What follow-up was immediately available to those who accepted the gospel message? vv. 42-47. From these verses, can you discern the five-fold purpose of the church? Note: The church was just born, but it knew what to do: disciple, fellowship, serve, worship and evangelize.
Contemporary interaction:
Respond to the following questions:
1. Have you or your local church ever been involved in an evangelistic crusade where thousands attended? Were you trained to share the gospel?
2. Have you seen an evangelistic crusade on television? What points were emphasized in the message? How does this differ from a "counterfeit" show?
Conclusion:
One way to reach the lost is through crusade evangelism. Multitudes are still being drawn to stadiums and arenas to hear the good news that Jesus saves sinners. Let’s endeavor to participate with the next crusade that is organized in our area.
Lorenzo Arroyo
Copyright 2004
