Book of Acts.2

Pentecost and Peter’s First Sermon

Bible Passage: Ac 2:1–4, Acts 2:5–13, Ac 2:14–36, Ac 2:37–40, Ac 2:41–47

Church Born: Spirit's Arrival

Acts 1:4 “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;”

John 7:37–39 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

Acts 2:1–4 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Said of a famous evangelist, “He doesn’t have any more of God, God has more of him. When God fills us it is to the brim. We can grieve Him (Eph 4:30). We can quench Him (1 Thes 5:19). But we cannot loose Him (Eph 1:13).

The Disciples were told to go to Jerusalem and wait (Acts 1:4). They were waiting for the promise Jesus often made concerning the coming Holy Spirit; the Helper, Companion, and Giver of gifts to the believer in the church age.

Among the gifts of the Holy Spirit every believer gets these four; remembered by the acronym R.I.B.S..

Regeneration by the Spirit (Titus 3:5). This happens when the believer was born again by faith in Jesus Christ (Jn 3:5-6).

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). This is a New Testament truth (Jn 14:16-17).

Baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13). This is another New Testament truth the placing of the believer into the body of Christ (Ro 6:1-10).

Sealing of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). The permanent ownership of every believer. Eternally secure because the Holy Spirit is our guaranteer (Eph 1:13).

1. The Gift to the Nations: Tongues

Acts 2:5–6 “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.”

The Holy Spirit energized the church to reach every language group in Jerusalem in one day. No learning language, just instant communication with perfect comprehension.

In Genesis 11:1 there was only one language “Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.” The confusion curse of the tower of Babel introduced the diversity of world language. At Pentecost God in this one special gift starts the process of redeeming the nations affected by the events of Babel. Communication was no longer a barrier to the gospel. Perhaps the original tribes affected by the curse were given the gospel and the opportunity to be gathered back into fellowship with God.

Gen 12 God chooses Abraham to be father to His chosen people, Israel. According to the Abrahamic covenant all nations would be blessed through Abrahams Seed, Jesus. Ge 12:3; Ge 22:18; Ge 28:14; Gal 3:8; Acts 3:25

2. Proclamation with Power: Peter's Sermon

Acts 2:14 “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.”

Known as Peter’s first sermon we see an explanation for the gift of the believers in their ability to communicate in these various languages.

Acts 2:22–24 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.”

Peter speaks to the mission and person of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:31–32 “he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.”

He gives a powerful witness to the resurrection of Jesus.

The gospel is the good news about a Messiah whom they crucified, but was resurrected.

Acts 2:36 ““Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.””

To the Jew first, to those who crucified Him.

3. Pierced Hearts Prompt Response

Acts 2:37–40 “37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.””

Cut to the heart is a way of saying they responded to the gospel and were saved. Now to deal with the forgiveness of sins and repentance for crucifying the Lord of glory. They needed to experience fellowship and the issue of crucifying the Lord was largely in their way.

Life of the Early Church

Acts 2:41–42 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

The life of the early church in two sentences.

Fervent soul-winning

Baptisms

Growth

Apostle's doctrine

Fellowship

Breaking of bread

Prayers

Acts 2:46–47 “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

A daily habit of worship and evangelism

Is this the model for a vibrant church today?