Acts: CHAPTER 2
Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit!
If you need an online bible, you can check out TecartaBible here: Acts Chapter 2
AcTS 2:1-4
Pentecost, the arrival of the Holy Spirit, like tongues of fire, languages
- When the 50th day (i.e. Pentecost) was fulfilled
- Luke 9:51 – when the day of His ascension was fulfilled, Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem
- Also related – fulfilling Scriptures (e.g. Luke 4:21, a different, but related Greek word)
- Pentecost was a harvest festival (Exo. 23:14ff.), but for Jews today it commemorates the giving of the Torah on Sinai
- What happened before the giving of the Torah (the Exodus; cf. Luke 9:31); what happens here before Pentecost?
- The Wind – Wordplay on spirit/breath/wind (cf. John 3:8)
- The Fire – The burning bush (Exo. 3:2), the pillar of fire guiding (Exo. 13:21; Num. 14:14) and coming to rest on Sinai (Exo. 19:18), the fire descending on the Tabernacle (Exo. 40:38; Num. 9:15) and filling the Temple (2 Chr. 7:1) and leaving from the Temple (Eze. 11); cf. also Isa. 6:6-7
- God’s saving/gracious presence -> a new Temple? (2 Sam. 7:12-13 (kingdom!); 1 Cor. 6:19)
- Different Tongues = languages, not 1 Cor. 13:1 (tongues of men and angels), cf. 1 Cor. 12:10, 14:2
- A manifestation of the Holy Spirit not for their benefit, but for the benefit of the Word
Acts 2:5-13
Crowd composition and confused reaction
- There was also a promise that Israel would be reunified under the Messianic King (Isaiah 11:11-12, Ezekiel 37:11-14) and that the good news of God’s reign would go out and be announced to the nations through His people, filled with His Spirit
- Tower of Babel reversed (Gen. 11)
- Drunk? (1 Cor. 1:25)
- Confirmation of the inward presence of the Holy Spirit (a new thing!)
ACTS 2:14-21
Peter begins to speak: prophecy of Joel fulfilled
Joel 2:28-32 ESV "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons
and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29
Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. 30"And I will show wonders in
the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and
the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that
everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall
be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.
Isaiah 2:2 ESV It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be
established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow
to it.
Acts 2:22-28
Jesus who was crucified and killed by lawless men was raised to new life; quotes Psalm 16
How was Scripture fulfilled?
Psalm 16:8-11 ESV I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be
shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will
not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in
your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
ACTS 2:29-36
David spoke not of himself, but as a prophet foresaw the resurrection of the Christ; Christ has
been exalted to the right hand of God and given the promise of the Holy Spirit; this is all confirmation that
Jesus is the Christ!
Psalm 110:1 ESV A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your
enemies your footstool."
2 Samuel 7:12-16 ESV When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'"
ACTS 2:37-42
“What must we do” – “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”
ACTS 4:43-47
Summary of response: signs and wonders of apostles; holding things in common; selling and distributing to the poor; attending the temple; breaking bread in their homes; glad and generous hearts; praising God and having favor with all people; the Lord added to their number
Acts 2:43-47 ESV And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Other NOtes:
Peter’s sermon
- Gospel events (the cross and resurrection
- Gospel witnesses (Scripture and eyewitnesses)
- Gospel promises (what does Jesus offer me now? Forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit)
- Gospel reception (what must I do? Repent and be baptized)
A Snapshot of the Pentecost Community
- They were learning – devoted to the apostles’ teaching
- They were loving – fellowship (koinonia), sharing
- They were worshipping (breaking of bread and to prayer) (both formal and informal (in the temple courts and in their homes)
- They were evangelizing (their outreach to the world, the Lord added daily to their number) = our Missionary God sent His Missionary Spirit to create a Missionary Church -> the Spirit bears the church to witness, churches rise out of the witness
