7 Checkpoints

 ~ Evaluate Your Christian Life By Acts 2 Standards ~

Confessing Life  ~  “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). …

Convicting Life  ~  … “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.  Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?’” (Acts 2:5-7).

Converting Life  ~  “‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’  Then Peter said to them, ‘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.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’  And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’  Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:36-41). …

Constant Life  ~  … “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). …

Continuing Life  ~  … “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple” (Acts 2:43-46a). …

Communing Life  ~  … “and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:46b). …

Contagious Life  ~  … “praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Christ, His Life

~ Various Views of Jesus Christ in Acts 2 ~

A Man Approved of God  ~  “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know…” (Acts 2:22). 

A Man Rejected by Men  ~  “…Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;…” (Acts 2:23).

A Man Raised Up by God  ~  “…whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it” (Acts 2:24). 

A Man Exalted by God  ~  “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). 

A Man Received as Savior  ~  “Then those who gladly received His word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41). 

A Man Acknowledged as Lord  ~  “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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7 Cs of Christian Living

~ How Do You Measure Up? ~

Acts 2 provides seven glimpses of an authentic Christian life. 

Confessing Life  ~  During this time of the early church a miracle was evidenced and we read that “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them” (verse 4). Clearly they were expressing their faith in God and what He had done in their lives. Today we should be witnessing with words about what we have experienced in Christ. “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:24). 

Convicting Life  ~   Those observing the scene were convinced that something special was occurring. “Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?’” (verse 7). Today we are to have a lifestyle which is convicting to others because of our love for one another. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Today we are witnessing by our lives regarding the reality of what we have experienced in Christ.

Converting Life  ~  “‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (verses 36-37). Because of the reality of what was heard and observed, others were converted by putting their faith in Christ. 

Constant Life  ~  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (verse 42). Their conversions had a consistent impact on their lifestyle.

Continuing Life  ~  “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts” (verse 46a). Clearly “every day” indicates that this was not a flash-in-the-pan experience. 

Communing Life  ~  “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (verse 46b). Are you regularly meeting with fellow believers in Jesus Christ?

Contagious Life  ~  “Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (verse 47). The natural result of authentic Christianity will be others wanting what we have and coming to know our Lord as their personal Savior.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW