The Promised Holy Spirit
Notes
Transcript
Acts 2:1-47
Acts 2:1-47
Intro
For the next 3 weeks we are going to be in this one chapter in the book of acts.
There is a lot going on and we could probably spend way more time than that, but we have 26 other chapters to cover in the next several months.
Today we are going to hover over chapter two and look at it in scope. We will go over some of it in detail, but the next couple of weeks we will be diving deeper into what is going on.
Next week we will look in depth at Peter’s Sermon and his exaltation of Christ. The week following that we will look at what it means to be a healthy new testament church.
But today we are going to talk about the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2 is the jumping off point for the beginning of the Church and It is important for us to see what it was God did in these first believers so that we can fully understand what he is continuing to do through us.
The Power of the Holy Spirit
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
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 Power of the Holy Spirit (v.1-13)
Pentecost-
Jewish Festival celebrating the harvest. Pentecost existed before the coming of the HS, but it is now recognized as the fulfillment of Scripture with the coming of the HS.
Occurred 7 weeks or 50 days after the Passover Celebration.
Pentecost would have never happened w/o the Passover.
The Spirit would not have come without JC’s sacrifice.
One of 3 Pilgrim feast mentioned in the OT law.
Also this was one of the most popular pilgrimages even more so than Passover.
Offering of the first fruits of the harvest and a renewal of the covenant.
Celebration of God’s gift of a great harvest.
Here that Harvest is not merely wheat and grain, but souls.
God uses this event to reach the nations. “From every nation under heaven” v. 5
That is why Jesus had them wait. This isn’t any coincidence. This is the fullness of time to preach the gospel to these devout men the glory of Christ.
The Spirit arrived exactly when he needed to so that the nations can hear the message of the gospel.
God was bringing forth his new covenant and harvesting souls for his kingdom during this festival.
The HS came and Luke has a hard time describing exactly what went on b/c it is something unlike anything that has ever happened before.
“sound like a mighty rushing wind”
Have you ever felt sound?
Focus--sub-woofers
The word for wind in both Hebrew and Greek is the same as the word for Spirit.
So the Spirit came in and filled the room in the same way that it was about to fill the Disciples.
This should remind us of Ezekiel’s experience in the valley of dry bones when in his vision God’s breath filled the dead bodies with life
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’
Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel.
And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.
And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”
This wind of God Represented the Presence of God in the manifestation of the Spirit of God.
Not only did they hear the spirit coming but there was also a physical manifestation of the Spirit
“tongues as of fire”
Here is what we need to recognize is that Luke is trying to put into words that which can only be fully understood by those that where there. “I guess you had to be there”
But the language of fire also tells us that this was from God.
In the OT, experiences with God were often equated to His manifestation in or through fire.
Moses and the Burning Bush
Pillar of Fire in the Wilderness
Consuming Fire in 1 Kings-Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
They were now filled with the HS and began speaking in other tongues
In this specific instance this speaking in different tongues refers solely to speaking in different languages.
This is clearly seen by the reaction from those present during the event.
“in his own language.” v. 6
“We hear them telling in our own tongues the might works of God.” v.11
This is not a time to debate about the gifting of tongues except to say that the gifting of tongues and the experience here are different in scope and purpose.
The disciples had the commission and knowledge but they lacked the power.
They needed to be empowered by the HS to speak the words of God to those present.
Words are important to God. Why? B/c God Speaks.
Words are the divine way that God communicates with us. This was his decision from the beginning of Time.
Words have power.
God created the universe with his Words.
God reveals his plan of redemption to us through words.
The Word of God became Flesh to speak the things of God to us.
Now these disciples have the opportunity to speak to all the nations God’s plan of redemption.
By the standards and knowledge of this world, this shouldn’t be.
(v. 7) “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?”
It is impossible for this backwoods hillbillies to speak with this much authority and in these many languages.
It is argued by some theologians that this is an undoing of the Tower of Babel. And to a certain extent it may be.
However, after this event there wasn’t a unifying language. Why b/c God is glorified in the diversity of His Creation.
When we get to Heaven what language do you think we are going to speak?
You might think, “English, of course,” but what about the Christian in Africa, or China, or India. They are probably thinking we will speak in our native tongue.
We have got to see that our God is not a Tribal God. He is the God of all nations and tongues.
He isn’t the American God. He isn’t the African God. He isn’t the Chinese God. He is simply God. The king of the universe. And one day people from all nations will worship Him.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
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Here is the reality we may not be unified around one language, but we are unified around one message. The message of JC and salvation offered through his sacrifice.
We are also unified by JC lordship.
There may not be a common language, but we do have a common Lord and a common message.
Look at that list of people who were present. From the North, South, East, and West. There were many there to hear the goodness of God.
The disciples were communicating the mighty works of God so that many would be saved.
Healing, Signs, Wonders, and the Resurrection.
However, there were those there that were confused and perplexed about what was happening. Even accusing the disciples of being drunk.
They were witnessing the unexplainable. They were witnessing the amazing and astounding and still some looked for an answer that would fit their limited perspective
“They are filled with new wine”
Skepticism was a reality and will continue to be a reality until Jesus comes back.
Peter responds with the reason behind what is happening and the response is astounding.
The Purpose of the Holy Spirit (v. 14-47)
Fulfill God’s Promise
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.
For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
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The Spirit Fulfills God’s Promise
Peter first defends his fellow disciples with a bit of humor and brevity.
The men speaking are not drunk it’s only 9 am. They haven’t had enough time to become drunk. This is the power of God that was promised through the prophet Joel.
Notice this was an “utterance through the prophet Joel”
Joel was speaking but the words were given to him through the Holy Spirit.
What did the spirit say would happen?
In the last days, meaning when God is creating the new covenant and the old one had passed away things were going to change.
The pouring out of the spirit is the final era in God’s plan of salvation.
God is now recreating a new people for himself. To populate the new creation he is going to bring about.
The Spirit Comes Empower His Followers
God’s people were going to have access to his power.
Power to Speak on God’s Behalf.
He would be poured out on all flesh and grant people with the ability to prophesy.
Prophets were a special office in the OT. They were the mouthpiece for God.
When they spoke they were Speaking on behalf of the almighty.
Now that office is no longer needed.
Christ Followers now have the Spirit living in them so that they can speak on God’s Behalf at all times and in all places.
Sometimes we need to see that this language will be offensive to those who don’t know Christ. Twice Peter tells those gathered that they are responsible for Jesus’ Death.
But the message isn’t solely offensive, it offers hope. That even though Jesus died he didn’t stay dead.
God raised him up.
Why are believers empowered by God so that we can speak about his good news.
Because “all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
That was Jesus’ reason for coming: Salvation.
The Spirit Comes to Exalt Christ
Peter then dives into this extensive message about Jesus and and salvation offered.
We are going to look at this more in depth next week, but we will go ahead and skim over it this week.
“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—
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
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.
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Blank-The Spirit Comes to Exalt Christ
It is all about Jesus. It was always about Jesus. It will continue to be about Jesus.
Jesus is the theme, purpose, and end to all of Scripture.
We need to exalt Jesus in all that we say. All That we Think. All that We do. B/c it is all about him.
Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection is what we proclaim. It is why we live, breath, and are sustained.
The Spirit Comes to Convict Sinners and Transform Lives
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?”
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.
For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Blank-Convict Sinners and Transform Lives
When the message of the gospel is preached there is always a response.
People either ignore or reject the message or are prompted to the proper response by the HS.
The Holy Spirit comes to convict the world of its sin and offers repentance and acceptance into the family of God.
In order to be reconciled to God we need to repent of our sin. We need to submit to the Lord and recognize that I am the responsible for his death.
That Jesus wants to draw me near.
When we submit to this truth something absolutely amazing happens. We are transformed.
Our desires shift, our hope changes and God becomes our anchor.
But this can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can’t make people see their sinfulness. We can make people repent. But we can bring them the message of grace and offer the hope of salvation to them.
The Holy Spirit Comes Establish the Church
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Blank-Establish the Church
The Holy Spirit is taking those transformed by the truth of the gospel and transforming them into a new people: The Church.
The Church is the visible manifestation of God’s new community of devoted followers.
There is both the universal Church (all believers through all times) and the Local Church.
God is calling and adding to his church all the time. He is making a people for himself to worship, glorify, and praise Him.
He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise b/c he is the God that Saves. He is the God that satisfies.
He is the God that makes us a new creation.
Conclusion
Jesus loves it when people give their heart to him.
That is why He came. That is why he Sent the HS to empower believers to preach the gospel.
Jesus wants to have a deep and loving relationship with you. He wants to be in deep fellowship with you.
He wants you love him. He wants you to cherish him. He wants you to share him with the world.
We are called, commissioned, and empowered to tell others about Jesus.
If you don’t know Jesus as your savior. I want to invite you to speak with me during this time of reflection.
You don’t have to know the right words. You don’t have to be embarrassed.
I want you to know if you don’t have an authentic relationship w/ Christ that there is nothing that anyone here wants more than to see you give your life to him.
If you are a follower of Christ, I want to challenge you to pray for an opportunity to speak life into some one you know. I want you to pray for the opportunity to preach the gospel.
I want you to pray for an opportunity to tell someone about the love of JC.
You were saved not to keep it in, but to spread it out!