HONORING THE HOLY BIBLE

Thirteen years ago, I conducted an informal survey of over 500 Email and Facebook Contacts, asking them what they thought were the most important questions people are asking today about God, Christianity, the Bible and life in general.

Based on this simple research, the number 1 question the participants thought people were asking was, “How do you know the Bible is true?”

73% of those surveyed thought this question was very important; while 21% thought of it as important.  Only 6% thought it was unimportant.  If the same survey is conducted today, I am sure the majority would still think this question is important, “How do you know the Bible is true?”

In obedience to 1 PETER 3:15 - which says to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you….” I shall endeavor to answer this important question again, in honor of this holiest of books.

AN AWAKENING LESSON FROM THE FIRST CONGREGATION

 ACTS 2  41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  43  Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  44  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.   

   46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. 

New King James Version®.  Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

AN AWAKENING LESSON FROM THE FIRST CONGREGATION

   What if a brand new local church congregation suddenly grew by 3,000 new believers, most of whom were visiting from other countries that had no churches of any kind yet?  Would it be wise for us to send them all back to their homelands quickly without any time spent for their genuine discipleship?

THE FIRST GOSPEL SERMON

ACTS 2 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.  15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.  16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:                                                                  

JOEL 2:28-32a  17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.  18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and   vapor of smoke.  20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,          before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’