Sermon Tone Analysis

Birth of the Church

Many consider this passage to be the birth of the Church.

Christ gave them their mission, ascended into heaven, and then they received the gift of the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill that mission.

That mission of course was, and still is, to make disciples of all nations.

They preached the Gospel first to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and then to the ends of the earth.

What is the Setting?

It is important to note here that the disciples obeyed their instruction and waited on the Lord.

They weren’t roaming the countryside, they waited on the Lord.

Pentecost was a festival day, known in the OT as Festival of Weeks or Firstfruits, Lev.

23:15-16

It was a very popular pilgrim festival, so there were Jews coming from all over the region, which is why Jesus told the disciples to wait, so the Gospel message would spread like a wide fire setting the stage for the missionary journeys.

God has this whole jigsaw puzzle known as life already figured out, naturally considering He is the creator.

What Happens?

Tongues like fire came to rest on each of them, and they began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

As the Spirit enabled, this is important to note.

The disciples did suddenly learn a new skill or talent.

The Holy Spirit came upon them and gave them the abilities they needed to fulfill God’s purpose.

They didn’t boast in themselves, they proclaimed God.