When was the last time that you read the following Scripture and then really considered the depth of the text?
Acts 2:41,
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
This text was recorded on the Day of Pentecost after the apostle Peter stood (with the power of the Holy Spirit) and preached about Jesus Christ coming to this earth, dying for our sin debt, being buried – but being resurrected after three days, and having returned to the Father’s throne in glory. The people who heard this message that day were greatly convicted by the Holy Spirit and asked the following question,
Acts 2:37,
“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?”
Peter responded with,
Acts 2:38,
“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.”
Peter had instructed these hearers of the Gospel that they first needed to “repent” (that is, repent unto God, and place their faith in the crucified one – Jesus Christ); thus,
Acts 20:21,
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 10:9-10,
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Next, they were to submit to “baptism” (that is, those who in repentance have been converted unto a new life in Jesus Christ, having been spiritually washed in the waters of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, were to outwardly confess their inward washing and identify themselves with Jesus Christ through baptism); thus;
Titus 3:5,
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
1 Peter 3:21,
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
The “gift of the Holy Ghost” was promised to all of the “receivers of the Gospel” (that is, first through regeneration, in the new birth, to abide in and with Him forever; but, then secondly upon being baptized and added to the local New Testament assembly, becoming part of the Holy Spirit empowered local visible congregation would be able to participate in sounding forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ); thus,
Ephesians 1:13-14,
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
John 14:16-17,
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
Acts 1:8,
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Matthew 28:19-20,
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Too often we limit our prayers to only praying for the “lost to be saved”. Though this is an important prayer of the congregation, we should really be praying that the “word of God would increase and that the number of disciples will multiply”. If we truly prayed this prayer, and put feet to our prayer, we would see people repenting of their sins, being baptized and the Lord adding them to our congregation, and becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ. Newly born again baptized covenant members would then come to understand the words of Jesus,
Matthew 4:19,
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
If we want to see growth in our congregation, we must pray that the “word of God would increase” – but, we must also pray that we will learn to become “fishers of men”.
