Try reading the text:
#1-They received the word.
#2-They were baptized.
#3-They continually devoted themselves to apostolic doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.
The evidence of 3,000 conversions was the fact that these were added to the church and progressed in the faith. You seem to be operating under the assumption that this account was written down on that very day and that there must have been some mechanism for counting noses at that very moment, but this assumption lacks biblical support, IMO. If you can find an altar call in that text, you're a more creative exegete than I am. </font>[/QUOTE]Historically baptism and salvation were not separated like we often do. If one were baptized they named Christ as their Lord renouncing the emperor as their lord. That means that at the emperor's option he could have had them executed for naming Christ as their lord and renouncing him as lord. When they were saved they didn't go through a class and then sit in church for awhile. Baptism was a demonstration of their faith. It was serious business to name Christ as their Lord. They could have been executed or have their business boycotted. They could have been without a job. There were 3000 that day that received the word and were baptized that same day. They received the word and showed a response. If there was not a response demanded then how would they have responded.
According to oral tradition it probably was not written down that very day. But obviously it is now and they remembered the event before it was written.
Read what precedes what you quoted, “Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”
So do you think they responded a few days later. They received and responded that same day.
Are you telling me that you never preach expecting a response to the message God has laid on your heart? Even Spurgeon talked about that to his students. The next time you preach, preach with passion and call people to walk with God and see what happens. It is never wrong to call people to do the right thing.
A New Testament preacher ... has to be surgical.
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)
John Wesley said, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of God upon the earth.”
When Jesus called His disciples do you think He said think about it. No! He said “Come follow Me.”
The nature of the gospel demands a response.
In Acts 3:19 Peter says, “"Therefore repent ....” Repent is in the imperative. It is a command.
Luke 13:3, "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Mark 1:15, “and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Repent and believe are in the imperative.
2 Cor .5:11, “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Rev. 22:17, “The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. “ Come is in the imperative.
Exodus 32:26, “then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him.
Joshua 24:15, “"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Choose is in the imperative.
1 Kings 18:21, “Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word.”
Invitataions are not just about coming forward to be saved. They are also about pastoral care. That may include prayer, counseling, and a multitude of things.
On one occasion I gave an invitation. As part of the invitation after I had preached on James 1:2-5 I mentioned that maybe someone was going through a serious trial and that possibly nobody could even begin to understand how they felt and they would like someone to pray for them. A lady came forward to ask for prayer. She mentioned that her cousin had just been murdered. We prayed for that lady and the family at that moment in public prayer.
I have never given invitations as a manipulation tool. It is a time for the pastor and staff to be sensitive to the people and allow them to be cared for in any way they feel is necessary. It is a time to show great care. It is not a time to manipulate people. If you knew me very well you would know it is not me nor about me but God. I am very against manipulation. But I am dead serious about calling people to walk with God. I have seen people get mad at me during and after the service. I did not grow up in a Christian home. I pray for the people on a regular basis. I pray for each person I visit.
If you asked me why people come forward I will tell it is because of God at work. It is His hand upon them. It is not about great oratory or manipulation. I am not a very good preacher. But God knows who I am. God wants my faithfulness not great oratory and certainly not manipulation. If I do He will humiliate me until I am humbled.
Go ahead guys let it out don't keep it all inside.