Acts 2-4

Acts 2

The disciples are gathered together

• Suddenly:
  • a sound like a mighty rushing wind fills the house
    • רוּחַ (ruach) Wind often symbolizes Spirit/breath of God
  • tongues “as of fire” appear
• The believers are filled with the Holy Spirit!
• They begin speaking in other languages

Pentecost

• Greek: Πεντηκοστή (Pentēkostē) = “fiftieth”
• Occurred 50 days after Passover to celebrate first of wheat harvest
  • Also known as “day of first fruits”
  • later associated with giving of the Law at Sinai

Jews from many nations are in Jerusalem. The crowd hears the disciples speaking in their native languages

Regions listed include:

• Parthia
• Media
• Egypt
• Rome
• Arabia
  and more

Some are amazed while others mock: “They are filled with new wine.”

Simon Peter stands and preaches. He explains:

• this is not drunkenness
• this fulfills Book of Joel 2
  • Spirit poured out
  • prophecy
  • last days
  • salvation for all who call on the Lord

Peter proclaims:

• Jesus performed mighty works
• Jesus was crucified
• this occurred according to God’s plan
• God raised Jesus from the dead

Peter quotes:

• Psalm 16
  • David not speaking about himself, but the Messiah
• Psalm 110
  • “YHWH says to my Lord…”

“God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

The people are “cut to the heart.” They ask: “What shall we do?”

• Peter says:
  • `repent
  • be baptized
  • receive forgiveness
  • receive the Holy Spirit

About 3,000 souls are added

The believers devote themselves to:

• apostles’ teaching
• fellowship
• breaking bread
• prayer

Characteristics noted:

• generosity
• unity
• worship
• favor with people

The church grows daily

Acts 3

Peter and John go to the temple at the hour of prayer. A man lame from birth begs for money

Peter says: “Silver and gold I do not have…”

• But in Jesus’ name he commands the man to walk
• This leads to immediate healing- the man walks, leaps, praises God
• crowds gather in amazement

Peter clarifies the healing was not by human power, Jesus performed it

Peter contrasts:

• Israel rejected Jesus
• God glorified Jesus

Major titles used for Jesus

• Servant
• Holy and Righteous One
• Author of life
• “whom God raised from the dead”

Peter acknowledges they acted in ignorance. Yet Scripture was fulfilled regarding Messiah’s suffering.

Peter urges repentance and turning back

• sins blotted out
• So that “times of refreshing” may come- end times?

Peter quotes Deuteronomy 18 from Moses. Jesus is the prophet greater than Moses

“In your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”

•Jesus fulfills God’s promises to Israel and the nations.

Acts 4

Religious leaders are disturbed because the apostles preach resurrection through Jesus

Groups involved:

• priests
• captain of the temple
• Sadducees (who did not believe in:)
  • resurrection
  • angels
  • spirits

Peter and John are arrested.Yet:

• many believe
• believers increase to about 5,000 men

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares:

• the lame man was healed through Jesus Christ
• Jesus was crucified and raised

“The stone that was rejected…”

“There is salvation in no one else…”

The leaders observe Peter and John are uneducated/common men yet bold

• They recognize “they had been with Jesus.”
• The council commands stop preaching Jesus
• Peter and John answer: “We cannot but speak…”

The church gathers to pray. They quote Psalm 2:

• nations rage against God’s Anointed
• They ask not for safety, but boldness

Then:

• the place shakes
• believers are filled with the Spirit
• they continue speaking boldly

The believers are united in heart and soul. They share possessions voluntarily.

Joseph/Barnabas introduced

• sells land and gives proceeds to apostles

Application

Jesus gives one of our most precious gifts – the Holy Spirit. Already the church is on fire ( :D ) for God. They are preaching despite prison time, using the gift of languages, and speaking boldly. Are we as the present church using our gifts and boldness like the apostles did?