The Beginning

The First Church

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 2

The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marks the official inauguration of the new covenant and serves as a witness to the nation of Israel. The Church’s reception of the Holy Spirit, preaching, and sudden growth testify to the reality of Christ’s resurrection and His ongoing reign.

What is the day of Pentecost - one of three festivals that occurs 50 days after Passover, around May or June, it is a celebration of the firstfruits of the harvest;

The festival required all Jewish men to go to Jerusalem;

But notice v. 1 - “...they were all with one accord in one place.”;

The New King James Version. (1982). (Ac 2:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

They, the disciples, were in the same place, physically and most likely spiritually and emotionally;

Remember they are inside a building most likely hiding and confused;

Then to have wind and fire, that appeared as a tongue, to just show up had to added to their confusion;

But why fire - because fire is often used to describe God’s purification;

Now to the speaking in tongues - this can be a very contriversial topic however a literial read show the spoke languages - of other nations - that they did not know clearly not heavenly utterances;

How else can we be certain of this look at the list of people groups that heard and understood them.

The First Message

Jesus will use whomever He chooses - here is a prime example, Peter, who denied Christ three times is now preaching the truth of the Ressurection;

God will use any situation or person that He wants to move HIs word forward - even Peter;

Notice in v. 13 it says - Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

The New King James Version. (1982). (Ac 2:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Don’t you find it interesting the details that are in the Bible - so my question is if man was the only author would interactions like this be included?;

Realize this the disciples were mocked - accused of be drunk, Jesus was mocked - accused of being a layer, so why should we get off free of accusations?

The Purpose

The first thing we need to acknowledge is that just like the creation of the world (Genesis 1:1), the church’s beginning is found in the action of God. Acts 2:1–4 makes it clear that the Holy Spirit of God descending upon the people moves the disciples from huddling inside praying to going out into the world to tell others about Jesus.

Next, we notice that the first church was not a well-oiled, planned-out machine.

Finally, we see here that from the beginning, the church had a worldwide orientation.

Who are we trying to reach and how are we going to be bold like the fisrt church?