The Holy Spirt part 6-The Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Prayer Prompt:  Lord, may I experience your power in my life.

Read: Acts 2

Introduction: Miracles in the bible can become mundane if we don’t think about what it would really be like if we were there.  We picture bible narratives in felt-board versions and Sunday school coloring pages.  But if you were Moses and you saw a bush on fire, yet not consumed, it would be astounding.  Whenever someone is visited by an angel, the angel says “don’t be afraid” because there was reason to fear.  Proverbs 9:10 says The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Though fearing Him makes us uncomfortable, if we ponder who He really is and the power being His being we come away changed.  Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire Hebrews 12:28-29.  Let us dive into the Holy Spirit’s entrance…

Study: Acts 2: 2-11; 33-40

·         When and what was the Feast of Pentecost.? See Leviticus 23:15-21 for more information.

·         What were the exact things that happened when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in the upper room?  What were the sounds, images, and experiences these verses describe?

·         Use the map to find the location of all the people groups that were represented.  Map is credited to John R. Stott in The Message of Acts. 

·         In verse 34 Peter quotes Psalm 110, about David’s prophecy of the Messiah being part of the Godhead.  What is the right hand of God?  Why is it so important?  Read Exodus 15:6 and Psalm 98:1.

·         Verse 38 describes the response of those who believed Peter’s words and asked what they must do in response.  The answer was repent.  I mark this word with a U-turn arrow in my Bible (yes I write all over it, and with colors too!) because it literally means to turn around.  Make a list of what you learn of repentance in this chapter and these other verses from Acts: 3:19, 20:26; 26:18.

What Does it Mean to Me:

·         Let’s think about the spiritual gift of tongues in the church.  Based on how you grew up, you might believe or have been taught many things about this.  No matter what our experience is, we need to have a standard of truth and that is God’s word.  What does the Bible say really happened that day.  The Greek word used in this passage for tonges is glossa which means the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations or the organ of the body (the tongue in your mouth ladies).  Later in the chapter men from all over the empire (you found those on your map) heard the gospel in their own language.  The word language (dialedkos) in verse 8 means a conversation, speech, discourse or any particular language to a particular people.  Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-33.  The words glossa is used here for tongue as well.  What does the Bible say tongues are?  Do churches today practice the biblical example for tongues?

·         The Holy Spirit’s entrance and Peter’s speech left no doubt to the power of God and Christ,  the One who sits at His right hand.  Read Ephesians 1:18-23.  I pray this for you, that this study will enlighten your eyes to see His power in your life.  When was the last time you felt it?  If it’s been awhile, why not? 

·         What did you learn from studying the word repent?  Those that heard Peter’s words were “pierced to the heart.”  Thayer’s Lexicon describes the nuances of this word as manifest tokens of sorrow.  This kind of repentance can’t be mustered up or manufactured.  It comes from a touch of the same Spirit that lit as tongues of fire.  Read Romans 8:12-17 and consider ways you have died to the flesh and how repentance was part of that process.  Or instead ponder Jeremiah 5:3 and question if your stubbornness has gotten the better or you. 

Live it Out: After the converts in chapter 2 repented they were baptized.  When were you baptized.  Have you been?  Acts 22:16 says, “Now why do you delay?  Get up and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”  If you haven’t, what’s stopping you?  If you have is there someone else you know you could encourage to do so?

Meditation: Write down a verse or truth God has shown you today through this study.  Put it somewhere you will see it often and remember His personal, life-giving word for you.