Acts 2:37-47 Lesson 222

Acts 2:37-47
Lesson 222

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Repent.

Three thousand join the church.

Also - The apostles perform miracles.

Three thousand are baptized (Acts 2:41).

Study Tip:

The Bible can be complex, so it helps to study more than one translation. As you read each lesson, scroll back and forth between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation."

The Acts of the Apostles

The King James Bible

Acts 2:37-47
Three thousand are saved

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Margin notes:

"When they heard this." (2:37) - When the crowd heard that they had crucified the Messiah. See verse 2:35-36 (lesson 221)

"They were pricked in their heart." (2:37) - "They were cut to the heart."

"Repent." (2:38) - To regret, be sorry, to turn away from past behavior, to be remorseful and ask forgiveness, to atone. To repent is to see the wrong in past actions and be sorry for them. Repentance is such an important Biblical teaching; it is repeated often (Acts 3:19).

"For the remission of sins." (2:38) - "For the forgiveness of sins." Peter is quoting Jesus (Matthew 26:28).

"For the promise is unto you." (2:39) - Peter is referring to God's promise in Joel 2:28-32.

"With many other words did he testify and exhort." (2:40) - You can reread Peter's sermon in verses 2:14-39.

"Save yourselves from this untoward generation." (2:40) - "Save yourselves from this evil generation."

"There were added." (2:41) - They "were added" to the one hundred-twenty who had already joined the new church (Acts 1:15).

"About three thousand souls." (2:41) - The church was growing fast (Acts 4:4).

"The continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship." (2:42) - "They stayed steadfast in the apostles' teaching and fellowship."

"Fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." (2:43) - "A sense of awe came over everyone, and many miracles were performed by the apostles." See Acts 8:13; 2 Corinthians 12:12.

"Sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men." (2:45) - "Sold their property and goods and gave the money to others." They gave to others willingly out of love, not because they were forced by those in power.

"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple." (2:46) - "And they continued to pray together every day in the Temple." The first Christians were converted Jews who used the Temple to worship in. See "Today's Question" below.

"Eat their meat with gladness." (2:46) - "Eat their meals with gladness."

New Living Translation

Acts 2:37-47

37 Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"

38 Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles-all who have been called by the Lord our God."

40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!"

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day-about 3,000 in all.

The Believers Form a Community

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-

47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. What became of the three thousand new believers? (2:41)

You can receive these lessons up to five times per week.
Let me know if you'd like to change the number of times you receive them.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. These first Christians were Jewish converts who didn't discard their Judaism but viewed the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and an extension of their Jewish faith. They continued to go to Temple (2:46). However, their belief that Jesus was the Messiah eventually created problems with Jews still waiting for Christ. Slowly the new converts were forced out of the synagogues. Seventy years after the crucifixion, the Jewish and Christian faiths were autonomist.

Application thought for the day:

After hearing they had crucified the Messiah, the crowd asked Peter, "What should we do (2:37)?"
It isn't enough to be sorry for our sins; we must ask for forgiveness, and then allow God to forgive us.
Forgiveness is a gift. We accept this gift when we believe and repent.

Application thought for the day:

After hearing they had crucified the Messiah, the crowd asked Peter, "What should we do (2:37)?"
It isn't enough to be sorry for our sins; we must ask for forgiveness, and then allow God to forgive us.
Forgiveness is a gift. We accept this gift when we believe and repent.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2023 evolke

Subscribe for Free Bible Lessons