San Diego First United Methodist Church’s Daily Devotion for Monday, 9 June 2014 – Sunday, 15 June 2014 Text to read: Acts 2:37-47

San Diego First United Methodist Church’s Daily Devotion for Monday, 9 June 2014 – Sunday, 15 June 2014
Text to read: Acts 2:37-47
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” 40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
-------
John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
Acts 2:37-47
Verse 37
[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?
They said to the apostles, Brethren — They did not style them so before.
Verse 38
[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.
Repent — And hereby return to God: be baptized - Believing in the name of Jesus - And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost - See the three-one God clearly proved. See Acts 26:20. The gift of the Holy Ghost does not mean in this place the power of speaking with tongues. For the promise of this was not given to all that were afar off, in distant ages and nations. But rather the constant fruits of faith, even righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Whomsoever the Lord our God shall call — (Whether they are Jews or Gentiles) by his word and by his Spirit: and who are not disobedient to the heavenly calling. But it is observable St. Peter did not yet understand the very words he spoke.
Verse 40
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort — In such an accepted time we should add line upon line, and not leave off, till the thing is done.
Save yourselves from this perverse generation — Many of whom were probably mocking still.
Verse 41
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And there were added — To the hundred and twenty.
Verse 42
[42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And they continued steadfast — So their daily Church communion consisted in these four particulars: 1. Hearing the word; 2. Having all things common; 3. Receiving the Lord's Supper; 4. Prayer. Ye diff'rent sects, who all declare, Lo here is Christ, and Christ is there; Your stronger proofs divinely give, And show me where the Christians live!
Verse 43
[43] And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And fear came upon every soul — Of those who did not join with them: whereby persecution was prevented, till it was needful for them.
Verse 45
[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And sold their possessions — Their lands and houses; and goods - Their movables.
And parted them to all as any one had need — To say the Christians did this only till the destruction of Jerusalem, is not true; for many did it long after. Not that there was any positive command for so doing: it needed not; for love constrained them. It was a natural fruit of that love wherewith each member of the community loved every other as his own soul. And if the whole Christian Church had continued in this spirit, this usage must have continued through all ages. To affirm therefore that Christ did not design it should continue, is neither more nor less than to affirm, that Christ did not design this measure of love should continue. I see no proof of this.
Verse 46
[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,
Continuing daily — breaking the bread - in the Lord's Supper, as did many Churches for some ages.
They partook of their food with gladness and singleness of heart — They carried the same happy and holy temper through all their common actions: eating and working with the same spirit wherewith they prayed and received the Lord's Supper.
Verse 47
[47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The Lord added daily such as were saved — From their sins: from the guilt and power of them.
-------
Monday, June 9, 2014
What is the response to Peter's sermon? 
What role does repentance play in spiritual awakening?
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
What does the promise of inclusion in verse 39 mean to you? 
How do you live it?
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
What makes the kind of growth in verse 41 possible? 
Does it still happen?
Thursday, June 12, 2014
How are you engaged in the four practices of verse 42?
Friday, June 13, 2014
Read verses 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.  Does this resemble our church? 
How are we alike? 
Different?
Saturday, June 14, 2014
What about these same verses (Acts 2:43-47) appeal to you most? 
What is most challenging?
Sunday, April 15, 2014
Pray for church planters around the world today.
-------
First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108
-------