Whosoever

Acts 2:14-21

This great message was addressed to Jews gathered from over the Roman Empire.
Jew designated 1 as a member of the Nation or an Inhabitant of Judea.
Israelite designated 1 as religiously the “chosen people.”

I: No Longer just the “Chosen People.”
1. The 1st message of the empowered church was an appeal to all mankind.
2. This was the part of the Gospel Message that was the hardest for the early Church to accept.
3. The Jews Persecution of the Church was based on the Universal Appeal.
4. The Bonds of Tradition were strong and their National Pride was deep rooted.
5. Stephen saw Christianity as a world wide religion.
a. The Jews were confronted with their National Pride and Racial Prejudice and preferring to cling to it they killed Stephen.
b. Stephen demonstrated that God had never limited Himself to 1 brand nor to 1 Temple. Holy Ground was anywhere God had been encountered.
c. Like the women at the well, they wanted to limit God to 1 place.
d. “You stiff necked people.” Joseph’s brothers sold him, Moses brethren were blind to his leadership, you are blind to Jesus!

II: Limiting the Gospel Message.
1. “Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” Psa. 78:41
2. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
3. The Boundary Line of Salvation encircles the world.
4. The only limit is set by Mankind.
5. Grumbling and complaining.
6. Robbing God of the Financial Aid to do His work.
7. Grieving the Holy Spirit by Worldly living.
8. The Limits God by its own Resistance.