The Hub of the Bible

Michael E. Grooms

The second chapter of the book of Acts has been called the hub of the Bible, and for good reason. The entire Old Testament points toward the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom, beginning with the prophetic statement by God that the seed of woman would bruise the head of the serpent (Satan) in Gen. 3:15. The gospels record the preaching that “The kingdom of Heaven is at hand” by both John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2) and Jesus Christ (Matt. 4:17).  After His resurrection, Jesus was seen of His apostles for forty days, in which He was “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). The church is the kingdom of God. It was established on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. The church had not been established while Jesus was upon the earth, for He stated to the apostle Peter “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). It was not until the gospel of Christ was preached (Acts 2:14-40) and about 3,000 souls submitted to baptism (Acts 2:41) that the church of Christ was established. Acts 2:41 speaks of those who were being baptized and states that “there were added unto them about 3,000 souls.” The phrase “added unto them” implies that there was something to which to be added. This reference is to the church as it was established on that day. This is firmly established in Acts 2:47 where we read “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). All references to the church before Acts 2 are spoken in the future tense. It is only in Acts 2 and thereafter that we find the church spoken of in the present tense. The remainder of the book of Acts and the epistles reveal the maturing of the church and its doctrine. The book of Revelation speaks to the church and prophesies the presenting of the church as the bride of Christ at His coming. Thus it is established that Acts 2 is the hub of the Bible.

The key verse in Acts 2 is verse 38. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, the preaching of the gospel, and the pricking of the hearts of the people would be of no value if there were no means of attaining salvation through the blood of Christ. The means of attaining salvation is revealed in Acts 2:38. Without this revelation there would be no church, there would be no salvation, and all of the prophecies of old would be meaningless. God’s plan for salvation was revealed to man for the first time. Those who heard the preaching of the apostles were pricked in their hearts (convicted of their sin) and asked the question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Read carefully Peter’s response:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  (Acts 2:38)

Dear reader, it is quite simple. If you will obey the gospel as presented in Acts 2 as you submit to baptism for the remission of sins, the Lord will add you to His church just as He did those on the day of Pentecost and all who have obeyed His gospel. The mode of entry into the Lord’s church today is the same as it was then.