How to know what to say (Acts 2:1-13) P3

Introductory information

The disciples have been waiting in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was going to empower them to spread the Gospel of Jesus

The Feast of Pentecost (50 days from the beginning of the Passover) was an important Jewish feast and Jews from around the Mediterranean would migrate to Jerusalem to celebrate it

READ

Question to consider as we read:

How does the Holy Spirit make us better communicators?

Acts 2:1–13 ESV

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

EXAMINE

What are some key points in this passage?

Acts 2:2–4 ESV

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The first gift the Holy Spirit empowered was supernatural speech

Wind and fire were common representations of the Holy Spirit and the presence of God in the Old Testament

Acts 2:5–6 ESV

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

The moment of the gift was perfectly timed

Jewish people had been dispersed across the Mediterranean for generations, ever since the Assyrian invasions

They would have all had a common language to communicate, but the Holy Spirit spoke in their native languages (through the disciples)

Acts 2:11 ESV

11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

The message given by the Spirit drew the attention to what God had done

John 15:26-27 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Acts 2:12–13 ESV

12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Some people responded and others didn’t

This is interesting because there wasn’t something lacking in the disciples’ message

“There is not a better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit” - Dwight L. Moody

And yet, some listened and others didn’t

“The filling of the Holy Spirit brings a sharp separation between the believer and the world.” - A. W. Tozer

The clear implication here is that people responding to the gospel, is not something we can force

It is completely between them and their response to the Holy Spirit

APPLY

[Pose the following questions for group discussion, offering the suggested answers below only if the group has nothing to say or drifts too far off topic]

What are the “big ideas” you see in this passage?

Suggested “big ideas”

The Holy Spirit knows exactly when, what, and how to speak to people

Some people will hear and others will not

We have to leave the to God

How do these ideas apply in your life?

Suggested application

I need to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me

I need to take the burden of people’s response, off my shoulders

What is your next step?

Suggested next step

I am going to ask the Holy Spirit for words when I interact with people

REFLECT

Prayer Point

Ask the Lord for timing, opportunity, and words to say to the people we will cross paths with this week

Devotional Question

What frustrations might you be experiencing because you’re carrying burdens that belong to the Holy Spirit?