Gods Plan for Man The Gospel & The Church

God’s Plan for Man: The Gospel & The Church Introduction: The Old Testament looks forward to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His Kingdom. In the Gospels we read of the birth, works, and death of Jesus on the cross. In Luke 24.44-49 we read what is often called "The Great Commission." Luke tells us that everything that happened to Jesus was according to God’s plan. We want to look now at the events on the Day of Pentecost. On that day three things happened; the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles, they preached the Gospel, and the church was established.

I) Fulfillment of Prophecy

A) The coming of the Holy Spirit

1. Before His death, Jesus foretold of the coming of the Holy Spirit, John 16.13

2. In Acts 1, Jesus tells His disciples to go to Jerusalem and not many days from now they would receive the Holy Spirit.

3. They would be inspired to teach and witness Jesus.

4. Beginning of Acts 2 we read of the Holy Spirit coming on the Apostles.

a. Important to establish that all that was said was true.

B) Acts 2. 17-21 Peter says that the events of this day were in fulfillment of prophecy.

1. A number of prophecies in the Old Testament pointed toward the Day of Pentecost.

a. Isaiah 2.2-3 at Jerusalem the Law of God would go forth

b. Isaiah 62.1-2 the gentiles would be called

c. Joel 2.28-32 whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2. Peter identifies the fulfillment of these prophecies here and now.

a. At the city of Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost, 33 A.D.

C) What did happen on this day?

III) The preaching of the Gospel

A) The Gospel includes the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Acts 2.22ff

1. We read of the miracles performed by Jesus. They confirmed Him being the Son of God and His teaching.

2. The death of Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament.

a. Prophecies concerning His being betrayed by Judas and sold for thirty pieces of silver.

b. Psalm describes the pain and agony of Jesus upon the cross.

3. Jesus foretold His death and resurrection very early in His ministry, John 2.19-21.

4. The prophecy of Isaiah 53 was being read by the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8.32-33. Notice that Philip preached "Jesus" to him, v. 35.

B) On the Day of Pentecost we have the first Gospel sermon

1. They were told of Jesus position, as the right hand of God.

2. They were told "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

3. When asked what they should do, Peter told the crowd to "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" Acts 2.38

a. There is no other creed or doctrine given by the Holy Spirit

b. The Gospel is God’s power to save, Romans 1.16. It is through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel, man is saved.

c. In our obedience to the Gospel of Christ, our sins are washed away by His blood.

d. In the Bible they are called Christians, Acts 11.26; and saints, referring to them being sanctified by the blood of Christ.

III) The church

A) Church is from the word ekklessia

1.Refers to a group, the called out, before the New Testament it did not have such a religious connotation. Translated as mob, assembly, and gathering was used for the word ekklessia.

2. Jesus used the word to refer to a group of people that would belong to Him.

3. It did not and does not refer to a building or a denomination.

B) Jesus promised to build His church, Matthew 16.13-18

1. The church belongs to Christ.

a. He purchased it through His death on the cross, Acts 20.28

b. He is the foundation, the basis of His church, 1 Corinthians 3.11

c. The church is His body, Colossians 1.18

d. He is the head of the church, the body does what the head tells it to do.

2. The word church is singular. Jesus built only one church.

3. On the Day of Pentecost, 3,000 were baptized into Christ, Acts 2.41

4. It is in or through baptism one has their sins washed away by the blood of Christ.

5. When one is baptized into Christ he is added to the church, the body of the saved, Acts 2.47

6. The question needs to be asked, "How does one get into Christ?" Obviously a person is outside of Christ before they are in Christ. All we can say is what the Bible says, one is baptized into Christ, Galatians 3.27

a. All that obey the Gospel are members of the Lord’s body, the church established by Christ.

b. The division between Jew and Gentile was done away with when Jesus died on the cross, Acts 2.39. We all have the same Gospel and must do the same thing in order to be saved. Colossians 1.20

c. It is in Christ we are reconciled to God.

6. It is in this sense we are using the word "church" all of the saved or the universal church.

a. The word church is also used to refer to local groups of Christians.

b. Let us not confuse a local congregation with a denomination. A denomination has its own doctrine, organization, and name.

c. There are various terms used to describe the church (people) of Christ; church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12.23), church of God, (1 Corinthians 1.2), the Way, (Acts 19.9).

7. One cannot be saved

a. by another Gospel or teaching

b. by belonging to any religious organization other that established by Jesus

c. while living in sin

Conclusion: Are you a member of the Lord’s body, His church? It is described various ways in the Bible: The bride of Christ, the family of God, and so on. The church established by Christ was established at Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost, 33 AD. Any church other church is not the one built by Jesus. Do you desire to be a member of Christ. If so, do what Jesus and those inspired by the Holy Spirit tells you to do and become a Christian.

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