Acts 2:1-41 The Birth of the Church: The Holy Spirit at Work

Surprises on airplanes Taking off In flight Landing

I. An Explosive Birth! The Holy Spirit at Work: A need for convincing proof

Convincing proof of a new work / a new body --- Important in the beginning

A. Supernatural audible sign

(ESV) Acts 2 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.

B. Supernatural visual sign

(ESV) Acts 2 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

C. Supernatural verbal sign

(ESV) Acts 2 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance.

II. An Explosive Birth! The Holy Spirit at Work: The sign of supernatural language ability

A specific initial sign ---

A. The sign: Speaking unlearned languages

(ESV) Acts 2 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.”

B. A Sign of the inclusion of Gentiles

Note: Both here and other references to the event – same as we experienced at Pentecost – i.e. spoke in other languages that they did not know – no evidence of anything else

(ESV) Acts 10 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues (languages) and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

C. A sign previous means to God are invalid

(ESV) Acts 19 1 … Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”

4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues (languages) and prophesying.

D. A sign Used for Jewish evangelism

(ESV) 1 Corinthians 14 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, …

E. Note: Spiritual gifts for building up others

(ESV) 1 Corinthians 12 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

No gift given for personal edification – always intended for others

Note: This is very different than many modern views of the gift of tongues

III. An Explosive Birth! The Holy Spirit at Work: Impact on believers

But here is the real impact – has continued through the ages.

A. Establishing unity of purpose

(ESV) Acts 2 1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

1. Recurring theme

B. Giving Boldness to share the gospel

(ESV) Acts 2 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, …

C. Making clear the message of the gospel

(ESV) Acts 2 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, …

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

1. He is God/Messiah

2. You sinned – You murdered your Messiah

D. Empowering the offer of salvation

1. – You can be saved

2. Already told them Place faith in the one you murdered

(ESV) Acts 2 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

3. Admit you’re wrong He is right

(ESV) Acts 2 38 And Peter said to them, “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.

4. Identify with Him and His people

(ESV) Acts 2 38 And Peter said to them, “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.

5. Turn from this world

(ESV) Acts 2 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

IV. An Explosive Birth! The Holy Spirit at Work: Impact on nonbelievers

A. Amazement of all

(ESV) Acts 2 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

B. Hardness to the rejectors

(ESV) Acts 2 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

C. Conviction of the seekers

(ESV) Acts 2 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

D. Inclusion of those who respond

(ESV) Acts 2 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.