The Transforming Power of God’s Word

GETTING STARTED

One of the most notable preachers and evangelists in American history is William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr. He began preaching in the early 1940s, and it is estimated that over the next 70 years, Billy Graham preached the gospel to more than 2.2 billion people. He is most known for his more than 400 crusades in 185 countries and territories over six continents, where the Word of God was proclaimed and an invitation to follow Christ was immediately extended. According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association staff, more than 3.2 million people have responded to the invitation of the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus at Billy Graham Crusades.

  • Who shared the gospel with you, and how did the Holy Spirit open your eyes to the truth of the gospel?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 2:37-41 (ESV)

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 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. How did the people feel immediately after hearing Peter preach the gospel? What was their inquiry to Peter and the apostles?
  2. Peter replied to their inquiry with commands and a promise. What were the commands and what was the promise?
  3. How have the gospel of Jesus Christ and the influence of the Holy Spirit made a difference in your life and the lives of your family?
  4. What is your response when others are convicted of sin and ask, “What shall we do?”

RESPOND TO GOD

On a recent Sunday, I witnessed five people being baptized before our church body. Their baptism was a public profession of faith to an inward decision they made to accept the forgiveness of Jesus Christ for their sin. Can you imagine what the worship service would have been like if that number had been three thousand? This was the response at the conclusion of Peter’s first sermon.

Peter could not have received such an overwhelming response on his own. It was only the transforming power of the Holy Spirit that influenced not only the clarity of his message, but the influence on the hearts of those who heard his words and were baptized that day. God has called some to preach and some to teach, but he has commissioned us all to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  • Ask God to give you the power of the Holy Spirit to influentially share the gospel and lead others to Christ.
  • Pray that the gospel will cause many to repent and be baptized.