St. Peter's Pentecostal Sermon
Consider the several points noted in the text, as showing the result of St. Peter's sermon.
I. In the first place, the persons who had been baptized, and so added to the Church, remained in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship; that is, they joined themselves to their company, listened to their teaching, and acted accordingly; they were not ashamed to confess that they belonged to the new society who owned a crucified Master, and they did not wish merely to adopt a new name, and not withal to show by their conduct that their Christian name was a reality. As a general rule, it is clear that the effect of the conversion which was produced by St. Peter's sermon was true and vital; though there were some who disgraced their profession, yet as a general rule, the profession which was made under the influence of St. Peter's words was fully borne out by the lives of the converts.
II. Another point mentioned concerning the converts is, that they remained steadfast in the breaking of bread; this phrase has in the New Testament a peculiar signification, and generally means that which undoubtedly it does mean in this case, namely, the celebration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. And the converts remained steadfast in the partaking of the Holy Communion. In our own days, it is nothing remarkable for a Christian to listen to a sermon, and yet hold back from the breaking of bread; people think that listening to a sermon commits them to nothing, that the breaking of bread does; that the one is amusing, and the other certainly awful. What does this prove but that the heart is wrapped up in impenetrable folds of worldliness, or self-satisfaction, or carnal security.
III. Lastly, those who were converted by St. Peter's address remained steadfast in prayer. This was the proper fruit of a sermon. The sermon is rightly appreciated, it is manifestly blessed by the Holy Ghost, when it leads persons to value and join heartily in the Church's prayers. The prayers are not the mere introduction to preaching, but preaching is intended to make people pray.
Bishop Harvey Goodwin, Parish Sermons,3rd series, p. 242.
References: Acts 2:41-43. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. iii., p. 454; R. D. B. Rawnsley, Village Sermons,3rd series, p. 166. Acts 2:41-47. C. Stanford, Contemporary Pulpit,vol. v., p. 180. Acts 2:42. W. M. Arthur, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xiv., p. 91; S. Pearson, Ibid.,p. 210; E. Johnson, Ibid.,vol. xxix., p. 387; C. J. Vaughan, Church of the First Days,vol. i., p. 73; J. Irons, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. xiii., p. 41.Acts 2:42; Acts 2:43. Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times,"vol. i., p. 295.Acts 2:44; Acts 2:45. J. Dawson, The Authentic Gospel,p. 114; Church of England Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 69.