The Encourager
“The First Gospel Meeting, by John Edwards”
THE FIRST GOSPEL MEETING
By John Edwards
The Lord commissioned His apostles, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk. 16:15). The gospel was preached for the first time on Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Let’s notice some great things about this gospel meeting.
A Great Day. The first gospel meeting took place on "the day of Pentecost" (Acts 2:1). Pentecost was the annual festival at which the Jews presented to God the first fruits of the harvest. Pentecost always came on the first day of the week (Lev. 23:15-16). Hence, this meeting occurred upon the first day of the week.
A Great Promise Received. The Lord promised the Holy Spirit to the apostles (Jn. 14:26). The apostles received this promise on Pentecost as "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4). This served to guide the apostles "into all truth" (Jn. 16:13).
A Great City. The first gospel meeting took place in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2:5). Hundreds of years before this meeting, Isaiah prophesied, "for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Is. 2:3). The Lord said, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning in Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:47). A great deal of planning and preparation went into this meeting!
A Great Crowd. "Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5) were present at the first gospel meeting. Many languages of people were represented (Acts 2:9-11). These Jews had come from all over the world to observe the festival of Pentecost. Though they were devoutly religious people, they were still required to come under the command of the preaching in order to receive pardon. So must we!
A Great Sermon. Peter preached "Jesus of Nazareth" to this audience (Acts 2:22-36). He declared the life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of Jesus Christ. The sermon was simple and to the point!
A Great Question Asked. The effect of the sermon was a deep and penetrating conviction that brought out of them the question: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). We should have the attitude of what would God have me to do?
A Great Plan of Salvation Given. In Peter’s answer to the question asked, he gives the Lord’s great plan of salvation. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).
A Great Response. In this meeting, "about three thousand souls" responded to the sermon by being baptized (Acts 2:41) and were added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:47).
What a great gospel meeting!
