ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

In Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost was ACTS.2:38 the main message or the altar call ?

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

If it weren't for John 3:16, there would be no need for Acts 2:38.

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

Acts 2:38 and 39 was an answer to a question. An altar call, if you will. Peters sermon began with verse 14 and ends with verse 36.

I've always found it interesting that the Bible says And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Act 2:42 The Apostles Doctrine, as far as we know, consisted of two sermons. (Acts, 1:16-23 and Acts 2:14-36, 38-39). I'm sure there was other teaching and preaching going on during that period. Wouldn't it have been nice if someone would have written those messages down?

Question: Can we extropolate, from these two sermons, all the teachings we often refer to as the Apostoles Doctrine? (Oneness, Baptism, Holiness, etc.) In other words, can we base Apostolic teachings in their entirety on these two sermons?

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

Can we or do we?
:)

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

I don't consider Acts 1:16-23 to be a sermon or teaching but something spoken by the Apostle Peter in a business meeting.

I believe Acts 2:38-39 is a call to salvation and also to post salvation experiences for Christians such as baptism in water and baptism in the Spirit.

Peter told the crowd on that Pentecost Sunday back in AD 30 how to get saved in Acts 2:21 when he said that whoseover calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The "plan of salvation" preached by Peter and Paul is the same i.e. call on the name of the Lord.

As Peter brought his sermon to a close, many were convicted and cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (not what shall we do to be saved as it is often misquoted). That is recorded in verse 37.

Peter then said:
1. turn to the Lord in repentance, call on Him for mercy and be saved
2. Follow up that salvation experience with the mikveh/baptism ceremony because of the forgiveness/remission of your sins
3. And you too can receive the Promise of the Father, this great Holy Ghost Baptism experience which Jesus has poured out on us.

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

Luke is writing much later - most likely around 30 years after Peter had preached that sermon. When he says, "Apostle's doctrine" in chapter 2, he has the whole 30 year time span in mind. We can "fill in the blanks" as it were, by reading what Paul and the others had written during that 30 year time period (and even after, as in the case of the "Prison Epistles").

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

The Book of Acts ends up with Paul in Rome. It was probably around the end of AD 61. During the time in prison there he had written Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. There are differences of opinion, but it is generally held that Paul was released and traveled for a few more years, was imprisoned again, and wrote 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. The Gospel of Luke was written some time before the Book of Acts --possibly while Paul was under arrest in Jerusalem. Here Luke would have had ample time to interview people who had interacted with Jesus, maybe even His family members for material for what became the Book of Luke.

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

The kids being run over by chariots might have been included in "and with many other words did he testify and exhort saying Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (verse 40) along with the bifurcated garments, hair touching the ears, etc.

Re: ACTS.2:38 Main Message Or Altar Call ?
 

"For the time shall come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." II Timothy 4:3

^These are those who are seeking teachers who teach an esier way..a partial birth salvation!

"Beware of false prophets, which come in to you sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves" Matthew 7:15

"But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption." II Peter 2:1

These are those who are constantly raising their voice against the New Birth message and a message of holiness and separation. The Word of God is not bashful concerning the nature or the end of those who contest truth. Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection was the message. Acts 2:38 was bringing it home, dropping it in our laps, and giving us the oppurtunity to respond and be saved. And yes! Continuing in the Apostles doctrine involved some teachings on holiness, outward apparel and according to I Cor. 11 hair fit in there too! not sure about the ears tho..