The Day of Pentecost 2

The Day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2, marks a significant moment in Christian history — the birth of the early Church. It is celebrated as the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to begin their mission of spreading the gospel. Here’s a summary of what happened, with key points you could use for a sermon:

### 1. **The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)**

- **Setting:** The apostles and other followers of Jesus, about 120 people, were gathered together in one place in Jerusalem, waiting as Jesus had instructed them before His ascension.

- **Sudden Event:** Suddenly, a sound like a **rushing mighty wind** filled the house. Then, **tongues of fire** appeared and rested on each person present.

- **Baptism of the Holy Spirit:** They were all **filled with the Holy Spirit** and began to speak in **other tongues (languages)** as the Spirit enabled them. This was a miraculous sign and a fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses."

### 2. **The Reaction of the Crowd (Acts 2:5-13)**

- **Multinational Gathering:** Because it was the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, Jews from various nations had gathered in Jerusalem. They were astonished to hear the disciples speaking in their own native languages, praising God.

- **Curiosity and Confusion:** The crowd was amazed and perplexed. Some asked, "What does this mean?" while others mocked, saying, "They have had too much wine."

### 3. **Peter’s Sermon (Acts 2:14-36)**

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, stood up and addressed the crowd. His sermon has three main points:

#### a. **Explanation of Events (Acts 2:14-21)**

- Peter clarified that the disciples were not drunk. Instead, this was the fulfillment of **Joel's prophecy** (Joel 2:28-32):

> "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."

- Peter emphasized that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of a new era where God’s Spirit would be available to all who believe.

#### b. **Proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 2:22-36)**

- Peter testified about **Jesus' life, death, and resurrection**, emphasizing that:

- **Jesus' miracles** and works attested to His divine nature.

- He was **crucified** by wicked hands, but this was part of God’s sovereign plan.

- **God raised Jesus from the dead**, breaking the chains of death.

- He referenced King David’s prophecy (Psalm 16:8-11) as a proof of Jesus' resurrection and lordship.

- Peter declared, "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah."

### 4. **Response of the People (Acts 2:37-41)**

- **Conviction:** The listeners were "cut to the heart" and asked Peter and the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

- **Call to Repentance:** Peter responded, "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."

- **Conversion:** About **3,000 people** accepted the message, were baptized, and joined the church that day. This marked a tremendous growth in the early Christian community.

### 5. **The Birth of the Church (Acts 2:42-47)**

- The new believers devoted themselves to:

- **Apostles’ teaching**

- **Fellowship**

- **Breaking of bread**

- **Prayer**

- They lived in a spirit of unity and shared what they had. The Lord continued to add to their number daily.

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### **Application Points for a Sermon:**

1. **The Power of the Holy Spirit:** The event at Pentecost shows that the Holy Spirit empowers believers for bold witness. The transformation in Peter — from a man who denied Jesus to a bold preacher — is evidence of the Spirit's power.

2. **The Universality of the Gospel:** The speaking in tongues was a sign that the gospel was for all nations and people, breaking down language barriers. It is a reminder that God’s message is inclusive and meant for everyone.

3. **Call to Repentance:** Peter’s sermon was a call to repentance and transformation. The response of the people shows the power of conviction when the gospel is preached with the Holy Spirit's anointing.

4. **Community and Fellowship:** The early church model of fellowship, prayer, and sharing reflects how believers should live out their faith today — in unity and love.

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This event is a powerful example of how God fulfills His promises and how the Holy Spirit transforms ordinary people into bold witnesses for Christ. It sets the foundation for the mission of the Church to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.