Save Yourselves.

Act 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 

Peter- filled with the Holy Spirit as he hadn't been as of yet- preached.

Let's pause for a moment and realize that Peter (as well as all the other Apostles- except the newest member picked after Judas betrayed Christ- Acts 1:26  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.) had performed miracles when Christ walked the earth before His death.

These men had been given power before.

Mat 10:5  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 

Mat 10:6  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

Mat 10:7  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

Mat 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 

They were sent to go to where the formerly Jewish practicing Jews were residing with the Gentiles and - 

Preach. Heal. Cleanse. Raise the dead. Cast out devils. Freely giving all they'd could.

When they couldn't cast a devil out of one sick son of a man who had brought him to them, they went to Jesus and asked why they couldn't. Jesus told them that some of the miracles wouldn't be instantaneous- but they'd have to fast and pray for the miracle.

The point for this particular study is that the Apostles had been given power from Jesus before- the same power Jesus had to use for every miracle He performed, the power of the Holy Spirit given by God the Father. Jesus did nothing of His own accord but in agreement with the Holy Spirit and God the Father. Jesus divested Himself of His former self and became a slave of flesh.

The Holy Spirit had rested upon the Apostles prior to the miracle worked on the Jewish day of Pentecost. However, when Jesus lived before His death, He was the One in constant contact with the Apostles, guiding them, praying for them. After Jesus died and eventually went to heaven to stay and work the ministry He had to work from the Heavenly Sanctuary, He was no longer there to converse with in person, no longer there to guide on a day to day basis- teaching and praying for the chosen twelve. Jesus had promised to send someone to comfort them and give them what they would need without Him there on earth with them. 

While they'd had power before, they were given power again in a way they hadn't been given it before- in cloven flames touching them, in enlightenment, in knowledge, the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit of Truth filled them and not only those twelve but 120 that were with them. And then not only the 120, but 3000 people were baptized as a result of the giving of the Comforter in such a remarkable and notable way.  

Jesus told His followers He would send the Comforter and they were to wait until He sent Him before going about their ministry. They believed Jesus and waited. Their patience paid off, Jesus' promise came to pass and now they could begin to minister as guided.

Peter, that day was the spokesperson for the Apostles and the word He preached was Christ crucified, Christ dead, Christ risen and the Holy Spirit touched the hearts of the listeners convicting the previously doubting into believers. They'd heard all about Jesus' before, about His miracles and the message He'd come to give. They'd heard about the crazy man who thought He was God on earth, and they'd consented to putting the crazy blasphemer to death. Now, they been touched by the Holy Spirit, the scales on their understanding removed and they believed what they heard. They wanted to be saved.

Act 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 

Save yourselves, Peter told them. How could they save themselves? The same way we all save ourselves- by yielding to God, by faith in the unseen, hoping in Jesus Christ and His ability to save us, and do all for us that we cannot do so that we can be at one with God once more.

Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 

Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 

Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 

That day they accepted Christ as their Savior, repenting and being baptized, and they continue determinedly in the truth they'd heard from the apostles. They fellowshipped and broke bread together, and they prayed.  A holy reverence filled the people as they saw the wonders and signs the Apostles could perform.  These were men sent by Jesus Christ to draw all to His truth. Is it any wonder 3000 people heard and believed, and continued in Christ as they watched miracle after miracle? 

Act 2:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 

Act 2:45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 

Act 2:46  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, 

Act 2:47  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

They banded together no longer caught us in the material things of life because they knew there was a better life waiting for them when Jesus returned to take them with Him to heaven. No person lacked for the daily necessities because the love of God meant love for others and everyone only wanted those around them to know the love in their hearts given of God. A love that meant giving where there was a need to give if it was in their hands to give. They had a singleness of heart towards God- praising Him.  Their lives were such that daily people joined them, people that wanted the salvation only found in Christ Jesus.

While we are not a group of 3000, with more added daily… we are descendants  of  those believers. We are of the group afar off from them. We are few in comparison to the many. We walk the very narrow path, not the broad road of the world. We fight the spiritual battle waging wildly around us, as the evil one grows more desperate day by day knowing His ultimate destruction in getting closer and closer. We, just like those first believers, must repent, be baptized, and live our lives for Jesus Christ- lives that will be witnesses to others of the love of God, the hope of salvation. We must live with the Holy Spirit guiding us.  We must know that it is no longer ourselves we live for but, Christ.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

The life we now live is lived by FAITH in the SON OF GOD, who loves us and gave Himself for us!