THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 2:1-41

Key Verse 2:38

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 

Jesus had told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The apostles had been taught by Jesus. They received words and teachings from him. They had personal fellowship, having common life with Jesus. They went through training programs and discipleship programs. They had the best teacher. But they needed one more thing. They needed the Holy Spirit to fill them and empower them and continue to transform them as a people of God to serve God.

This passage tells us about the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the first church. It was the beginning of God pouring out his Holy Spirit on all people. We can learn of the Spirit’s empowerment. Further, the passage shows that receiving this gift of the Holy Spirit is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead for our sins.

Describe the coming of the Holy Spirit in verses 1-4. What characteristics of the Spirit are revealed here? How many different peoples are represented in verses 9-11? What were they amazed at? What do they represent collectively? (5) Why were they in Jerusalem? How is this event related to Jesus’ promise in 1:8? 

** First, a violent sound filled the house: “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” (2)

Second, verse 3 says, “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

Third, verse 4 says that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and then began to speak in other tongues as they were enabled.

** First, we see his power in the sound like a violent wind blowing and in the fire that rested on each of them.

Second, we see his empowering work in the disciples. When the Holy Spirit empowered them, came upon them and he filled them. He came from heaven and dwelt in them individually and empowered them. 

** 15 different peoples are listed in these verses.

** See verses 6-7. One point that amazed them was that those speaking were Galileans—and most of these guys were fishermen. It might be likened today to Americans speaking in other languages. It would be amazing to most other countries to hear Americans speaking other languages. Although people in many other countries speak at least 2-3 languages, Americans are notorious for speaking only one language: English. 

** All these people who came to listen to the disciples represented the known world at the time.

** They came for Pentecost, which is the Greek word for the Feast of Harvest or Feast of Weeks, a Jewish festival that required Jews to visit Jerusalem.

** We see the power and the vision from the Holy Spirit for all nations being harvested by Jesus’ witnesses. By the Spirit’s power, all the world could hear the wonders of God and understand. 

How did the people respond (12-13)? How did Peter begin to explain what was happening? (16-17a) What will happen to each group of people mentioned in verses 17-18 when the Holy Spirit comes upon them? Why? (18-21)

** Two responses: In verse 12, we see that some asked, “What does this mean?” It seems they took the matter to heart. In verse 13, we see that others shrugged it off by calling the disciples drunk, making fun of them.

** Peter began to explain it by quoting from Joel 2. Particularly, he mentioned about God’s promise to pour out his Holy Spirit on all people, in line with the command and vision for world mission.

** Throughout the rest of the prophecy Peter quoted from Joel, we see the different groups that make up “all people.” 

> Sons and daughters: “will prophesy.”

> Young men: “will see visions.” 

> Old men: “will dream dreams.”

> Both men and women: “they will prophesy.”

** These verses show God’s desire to truly pour out his Spirit on all people, young, old, men, women, sons and daughters, that they may be empowered to know him and serve him. And he is empowering his servants to serve his world salvation purpose. It is also the work to give all people new life and purpose in him. Young people have many visions that come from themselves and this world: for a successful job, having a good time, etc. But the visions and dreams and prophecies here are from God directly to lead each person to serve the Lord and be led to his kingdom.

What did Peter’s listeners know about Jesus? (22) What does “accredited” mean? Despite their knowledge of Jesus, what did they do to him? (23) Why do you think Peter emphasized their participation in Jesus’ death? 

** See verse 22. They knew what God did among them through Jesus, which showed who Jesus is.

** “accredited” means to make authoritative, credible or reputable. 

** They “put him to death, nailing him to the cross.” 

** Here Peter emphasized “you”. When we look at the gospels, it looks like the ones mainly responsible were Pilate or the chief priests and teachers of the law. But here Peter said, “You, with the help of wicked men, put him to death.” Why did Peter do this? In one respect, it was to remind them who of Jesus is and who they are. They are sinners. Jesus died for our sins. So sinners are the ones who put Jesus to death. He began to talk about Jesus and begin to lead them to repentance. 

Although they put Jesus to death, what did God do? (24) What was David’s hope in the resurrection of Jesus? (25-28) Why did it bring him gladness and rejoicing? (26) How did God make this hope known to David? (29-31) 

** God raised him from the dead. 

** David looked ahead to the resurrection of Jesus the Lord. He had a hope for his own resurrection.

** He became stable and joyful in this hope of resurrection. David was not defeated or overcome by the shadow of death. God made known to him the paths of life. He looked ahead to being in his presence. 

** God made this hope known to him through his promised mentioned in verses 29-31. When he believed this promise, he could look ahead to the resurrection.

What “fact” did Peter testify to? (32) Where was the living Jesus? What had he done on that day? (33) What was Peter’s conclusion about: 1) Who Jesus is; 2) what the people did to Jesus? (34-37)

** The resurrection of Jesus. 

** Exalted to the right hand of God.

** He poured out the Holy Spirit on them.

** 1) Jesus is the Lord and Christ. He was shown to be this through God’s work through him during his earthly ministry, through his resurrection, and then through the outpouring of the Spirit. 

2) They put him to death. It was the reality of their sin. Peter led them to repentance.

Read verses 38-39. What was Peter’s response to them? Who is the promise of forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit for? Read verses 40-41. How does the message of resurrection address the corruption of our generation?

** See verse 38. He told them that they needed to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

** See verse 39.

** The message of resurrection leads us to turn from the corruptness of our generation to repent and believe in Jesus for death is not the end, so we should not waste our life in sin and in the corruptness of our generation. We should eagerly desire salvation, serving the Lord, life in his presence, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.