a. The Holy Spirit came upon the apostles [Acts 2:1-4]

b. Peter explained the miraculous events [sound of a rushing mighty wind, cloven tongues like fire, and speaking in the tongues of different nationalities present]. He went on to preach about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and pointed out the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy found in Christ.

c. Peter concluded with a strong affirmation about the identity of Jesus of Nazareth [Acts 2:36 (NKJV) "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."]

d. The hearers were cut to their heart and asked the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" [Acts 2:37 (NKJV)] Peter told them to "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" [Acts 2:38 (NKJV)]. He continued to exhort them to be saved [Acts 2:40 (NKJV)]. The result was 3,000 people gladly receiving the word and being baptized [Acts 2:41].

e. The new church continued to grow. Acts 2:47 (NKJV) says, ". . . the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

a. Paul was writing specifically to Timothy. One purpose of his writing was to instruct him about his conduct in the church of the living God.

b. All Christians need that knowledge. Like Timothy, we can get that knowledge from the inspired writings of the New Testament.

1. The doctrine of "impossibility of apostasy" (i.e., "once saved, always saved") implies that once a person becomes a Christian, his behavior is secondary. Some do believe that there is nothing a saved person can do to cause him to be lost. They take the last four words in 2 Peter 1:10 and forget about the rest of the apostle's teaching.

2. Those four words are "ye shall never fall" [KJV] or "you will never stumble" [NKJV]. This is truly a comforting doctrine, but it is not true.

3. Look at the five words which come just before those final four words -- "if you do these things" -- making the verse actually read, "if you do these things, you will never stumble." There is something that you must do to STAY saved.

4. Peter's teaching in the 2nd chapter of this book would be senseless if Christians could not fall back and be lost. He wrote, 2 Peter 2:20-22 (NKJV) For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."

1. It is true that Christians will not be free from the problem of sin. 1 John 1:8 was written to Christians and it says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

2. Christians remain dependent on God's grace for our hope of heaven. None of us can live a good enough life to earn our way into glory. [Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.]

3. By walking in the light, we can benefit from the ongoing action of Christ's blood to cleanse our sins [1 John 1:7 (NKJV) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.]

1. Some question the idea that God has given us any kind of pattern for living today.

2. However, we know that God expects us to follow His leadership. We need His permission (or authority) for everything we do [Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.]

3. The New Testament teaches us that certain kinds of conduct were approved of God in the early years of the church's existence. This is true of the worship of the church, the government of the church, and the way in which the church did its work. It is also true about the moral behavior of individual members of the church.

4. Since God's word has not changed, we can know that those same behaviors which God approved in the first century are still approved today. They provide a safe and reliable pattern for us to follow.

5. "The Bible doesn't say NOT to do it" is true of a great many things. However, because the Bible does not forbid something does not mean that God approves of it. [Discuss instrumental music briefly in this context.]

1. You want to know what you are getting into when you are baptized. What expectations will you have to meet? It is reasonable that you should want to know how you will need to live as a Christian.

2. You can never live with sinless perfection. The Christian life is one of growth and maturing . . . getting better and getting closer to God's ideal for the way we ought to live [Philippians 3:12-14 (NKJV) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.]

1. Remain true to your convictions and your promise to serve the Lord.

2. Don't allow anything to come between you and God. [Revelation 2:10 (NKJV) "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."]