Acts 2

Coming of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1–4 NKJV

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

Obedience

Acts 1:4a, “ And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father...”

Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:21 ESV

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Phenomena - a singular and unique event

A Sound (like a mighty wind)

A Vision (like tongues of fire)

Speech (in unlearned languages)

Scriptures speaks of two kinds of tongues (glossolalia)

Speaking in a known, but unlearned tongue (here in Acts 2)

Speaking in an unknown tongue (1 Cor 14)

If done in public worship

2-3 at most

One person at a time

Requires interpretation

Edifies (builds up) the individual

Inferior to gifts that edify the body (i.e. like prophecy)

The Crowd’s Response

Acts 2:5–13 ESV

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

The Crowd

Pentecost

Exodus 23:16–17 ESV

You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor. Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord God.

One of three annual festivals that every Jewish male was expected to celebrate in Jerusalem

Also called the Feast of Harvest

The People

“Devout men from every nation under heaven” - obviously Luke refers to the known world

East of the Caspian Sea: Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia

Asia Minor (Turkey): Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia

North Africa: Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene

Mediterranean: visitors from Rome

Cretans and Arabians

What They Heard

The disciples declaring, “the mighty works of God”

An outpouring of praise

Each in their own native languages

The Response

Bewilderment, Amazement, and Astonishment

Some (a few) mocked and scoffed

Peter’s Sermon (Acts 2:14-36)

An Appeal to Authority (Scripture)

Acts 2:14-21 (Prophecy from Joel 2:28-32)

Declaration of Jesus’ Works

Acts 2:22 NKJV

“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—

Preaching of the Cross

Acts 2:23 NKJV

Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

The Cross was both God’s design and the responsibility of the hearers

Preaching of the Resurrection

Acts 2:24 NKJV

whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Acts 2:32–33 NKJV

This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Peter continues to use the authority of scripture by referring to David’s prophecy in Psalm 16:8-11 and Psalm 110:1.

Remember that these are “devout men” who were,”both Jews and converts”, so they would have accepted the testimony of scripture (if not this interpretation)

Declaration of Jesus’ Lordship and Finished Work

Acts 2:36 NKJV

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

The Holy Spirit Convicts the Hearers

Acts 2:37 NKJV

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?”

Peter Declares the Remedy and the Promise

Acts 2:38–39 NKJV

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. 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.”

The First Harvest (on the Feast of Harvest)

Acts 2:40–47 NKJV

And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 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, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Marks of a Healthy Church

Persistence in the Apostles’ doctrine (teaching of Jesus and the scriptures)

Persistence in Fellowship (Koinonia)

Persistence in Breaking of Bread

Persistence in Prayer

Fear of God

Provision for the brethren

Praise for God

Application

The Holy Spirit prepares the hearer

The Holy Spirit provides the occassion

The Holy Spirit empowers the witness

The Holy Spirit convicts the hearer

The Holy Spirit grows and nourishes the church