Preaching - Acts 3-4

Acts 3:11 (ESV)

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.

The he in the above text is the man Peter and John healed on their way to prayer at the Temple.    After the man’s healing, the people ran to hear more from Peter and John.   Acts 3-4 is a marvelous example of the early church proclaiming (Greek: kērugma) the Gospel:

There were six core elements of kerugma:

1). The fulfillment of prophecy

2). The ministry, death and burial of Jesus

3). The resurrection 

4). The ascension and exaltation 

5). The presence of the Holy Spirit

6). The call to action (repentance and forgiveness) 

What was the result of this great teaching in these two chapters? 

Acts 4:31-37 (ESV)

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.