The Power Source of the Church

Introduction

The theme of the Book of Acts can be summarized in one verse. It is our memory verse for the month of April. Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NIV84

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2 shows us how that theme is to be carried out. We are introduced to the Holy Spirit. This chapter gives us 47 verses, but we will not take the time to read all of them, but I would encourage you to use the outline and read all 47 of these verses over the next few days. Let’s get into this study, and let’s first look at the situation.

The Situation (2:1-3)

Acts 2:1–3 NIV84

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

The Setting

The setting is in Jerusalem. It is believed that all the believers were gathered in the Temple Courts, thus the “together in one place.” There is great detail to tell us it is the day of Pentecost. It literally means, Day 50. Pentecost was the second of three great Jewish feasts celebrated at Jerusalem on a yearly basis. It was the 7th week after the Passover in grateful recognition of the completed harvest. There are several passages in the Old Testament Law that give us more clarification.

Exodus 23:16 NIV84

16 “Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. “Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.

Other passages include Leviticus 23:15-21 and Deuteronomy 16:9-12. Pentecost was also associated with the renewal of the covenant with Noah as well as the day that the law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. So, you can see the rich tradition of Pentecost and how God used the giving of the Holy Spirit on a day when literally people from all over the known world were in Jerusalem.

The Suddenness

The gift of the Holy Spirit was sudden. We see in Peter’s sermon that takes place later in this passage that it was about 9:00 in the morning. Acts 2:2

Acts 2:2 NIV84

2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

God certainly moves in His own time. We don’t know if they followers of Christ were ready to receive it, but God seemed to think so! I am reminded that whether is comes to us suddenly or over a period of time, nevertheless we can trust God as His timing!

The Symbols

Notice the symbols that came when the Spirit arrived. The word for wind is pneuma. It is the same word used for the breath of God. The wind sound can be related to other passages in the Old Testament that help us see what happens when God shows up and breathes out His will and way. For example, 2 Samuel 22:16

2 Samuel 22:16 (NIV84)

16 The valleys of the sea were exposed

and the foundations of the earth laid bare

at the rebuke of the Lord,

at the blast of breath from his nostrils.

Job 37:10 (NIV84)

10 The breath of God produces ice,

and the broad waters become frozen.

Ezekiel 13:13 NIV84

13 “ ‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury.

God moves in this wind. Another symbol we see mentioned here is fire. The fire separated and came to rest on each of them. This is thought to be again at Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:18

Exodus 19:18 NIV84

18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently,

John the Baptist used the idea of fire as a means of cleansing and judgement.

Luke 3:16 NIV84

16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

The Spirit (2:4-13)

Acts 2:4 NIV84

4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

The Delivery

We see the delivery in God’s perfect timing. The outward signs came as the Holy Spirit filled those present. Filled indicates the initial gifting of the Spirit to prepare them for God’s service. We first see this idea in the New Testament in Luke 1:15 speaking about John the Baptist.

Luke 1:15 NIV84

15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.

We will study this idea even more throughout the remainder of the Book of Acts. Acts 9:17

Acts 9:17 NIV84

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Filled also took place when one was preparing a proclamation. Several other passages in Acts will help us see those examples as we continue to study. We will also see several passages forthcoming that have filled with the Holy Spirit and being baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is important to know that these phrases are synonomous. Pouring out and receiving are two more phrases we will see in our upcoming studies. It is important to understand that as we see these phrases, that what happened at Pentecost initiated what would happen to those who believed after that event. A quick example is in Acts 10 and the story of Cornelius. We see in Acts 11:15

Acts 11:15 NIV84

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.

In context of that passage, Peter is talking about visiting Cornelius in Caesarea and the Holy Spirit coming on the household as they accepted Jesus.

The Dialect

To not get to far ahead of our passage, let’s look quickly at the dialect that took place at Pentecost. Each person spoke in their native dialect. Verses 9-11 name the different dialects that were heard. These would have been all the dialects of the known world at that time.

The Dynamic

The dynamic of this event was that all of them, in every language they spoke, were worshippers of Yahweh and were celebrating the mighty works of God. Verse 12 tells us that those who heard this were amazed and perplexed. Of course the naysayers said, “They have had too much wine.”

The Sermon (2:14-36)

Peter uses this opportunity to give a holy explanation. By the way, God will use the circumstances, situations and settings in which you have been places to always give you an opportunity to proclaim His goodness, grace, love and mercy! We can seize that opportunity or let it pass by! Thanks be to God that Peter seized this opportunity!

The Prophecy

He stands up and immediately reminds the Jewish people they are not drunk and tells them of a prophecy from the Book of Joel. Peter quotes Joel to remind the listeners of the prophecy that God is going to pour out His Spirit on all people. There will be signs in heaven and on earth. A day of judgement will come about. He ties all of that with the story of Jesus. He came and did many signs and wonders yet He was handed over to wicked men that put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. Verse 24 further explains prophecy fulfilled of how God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death. Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11 where David gives a prayer of a godly man that professes his faith in God. Peter testifies that this Psalm is not about King David because he is still in the grave. David was prophetically speaking of Jesus the Messiah who would be his descendant. Peter goes to great lengths to proclaim what has been prophesied had been fulfilled in Jesus!

The Promise

In verse 33 Peter declares Acts 2:33

Acts 2:33 NIV84

33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

The prophecy and the promise fulfilled make a strong proclamation.

The Proclamation

Acts 2:36 NIV84

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

The proclamation is bold. Peter goes back to what he quoted from Joel,

Acts 2:21 (NIV84)

21 And everyone who calls

on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Peter, in so many words declares, “The One you think is dead is Lord, Master and the Christ!” He must become that in your life as well.

Augustine wrote “Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all. Christ is not Lord at all unless He is Lord of all.”

The Bible says they were cut to the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12 NIV84

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

You may be hearing this message that Peter proclaimed and feel cut to the heart. Don’t minimize that! Allow your heart to be opened to respond the Gospel! The Bible tells us that the people Peter was speaking to asked the question in verse 37, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

The Salvations (2:37-47)

Peter answered.

Acts 2:38 NIV84

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

You have to be born of the Spirit before you can receive the Spirit! Peter gave three things that needed to be done: repent, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel is the free gift of God. But the free gift requires a response. How did they respond?

Responding to the Gospel

The people responded to the Gospel. Acts 2:41

Acts 2:41 NIV84

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Receiving the Son and the Spirit

They received the Son and the Spirit! Two truths are declared here. All Christians receive the Spirit. No one else receives this gift. The second truth is that no Christian is ever without the Spirit. The gift of the Son and the Spirit is a gift of grace fulfilling God’s promise. Human effort or achievement cannot gain the Spirit.

Renewed and Changed

Those that received the Son and Spirit were renewed and changed. Acts 2:42

Acts 2:42 NIV84

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Teaching. Fellowship. The Lord’s Supper. And prayer. These are essential to those that have received the Son and the Spirit. These are essential to growth and continued renewal and change.

Verses 43-47 is a summary of the life of the early church. They experienced God at work through wonders and signs. They shared life together in church and outside of church. The went to the temple together and worshiped together. Are you doing that? God desires a rich relationship with you and He has place you in a place like this to help you grow. Are you taking advantage of the opportunities to do so?

Acts 2:47 NIV84

47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The power source of the church helped them to achieve this goal. Perhaps this should be our goal as well.