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Living Beyond Myself
Lives Ignited by the Spirit of God
Acts 2
April 30, 2006


Acts 2:1-12 (Monday)
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"” (NIV)
1) Finally, the promised gift! What was (i)s God’s purpose for sending of His Holy Spirit into the lives of believers?
2) Talk about an event that would make someone stand up and take notice! We often hear how gentle the third Person of the Godhead Trinity is, but here, we see His glory and power awesomely displayed! Would such an outward expression of praise and worship shock, frighten or perhaps even appall you today? Why or why not?
3) Do you ever long to see this kind of outpouring in our churches today? Explain your response.
4) What was the immediate response of this crowd?
5) What was it about being a “Galilean” that surprised these God-fearing Jews?
6) Very important point: The Holy Spirit does not seek to draw attention to Himself—never! Under the power of the Holy Spirit, what did these unlearned “Galileans” boldly declare?
7) Speaking in tongues (another language, or at times a heavenly language) is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10; 13:1; 14:27-32. ) What purpose did this gift serve?
8) Do you believe this particular gift has a place in today’s society? Why or why not?
9) Most of us have not experienced the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives in such a earth-shattering way! Does this mean we are any less empowered than the disciples were? Why or why not?
10) Why do you suppose the Holy Spirit first fell upon the disciples in such a breath-taking way?
11) How was this filling of the Holy Spirit different from anything experienced under the Old Covenant?
a) It is true that prior to Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was a present and active Participant in:
i) the Creation (Gen. 1:1-2)
ii) in major events during Old Testament history (Judges 6:34; 1 Samuel 16:13)
iii) in the life and ministry of Jesus (Luke 1:30-37; 4:1; 14; Acts 10:38.)
b) However, following Pentecost, there would be two major changes: the Holy Spirit would dwell in all believers, not just come falling upon certain individuals, and His presence would be permanent, not temporary (John 14:16-17.) In order for the Spirit of God to come and permanently dwell in believers, it was necessary that Jesus first die, be raised from the dead, and return to heaven. Only then, could the anticipated gift of the Holy Spirit be given (John 7:37-39; John 16:7.) This falls in perfect alignment with the Jewish festivals of Passover (the substitution of the sacrificial lamb—Jesus Christ), the Firstfruits (Jesus is the firstfruits of those all who will rise from the dead) and, of course, Pentecost (the Jewish celebration of the giving of the Law—the day we celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit!) Talk about God’s foreknowledge!
12) It is also important to realize that we are baptized by the Holy Spirit, once, upon acceptance of Christ Jesus, but we are commanded to constantly be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18!) What is the difference? Which one is an act of our own will?
13) Oh, this is too good to not be heard! Read what this week’s study helps has to say about God’s great gift of the Holy Spirit:
Pentecost was a reversal of the judgment at the Tower of Babel when God confused man’s language (Gen. 11:1-9). God’s judgment at Babel scattered the people, but God’s blessing at Pentecost united the believers in the Spirit. At Babel, the people were unable to understand each other; but at Pentecost, men heard God’s praises and understood what was said. The Tower of Babel was a scheme designed to praise men and make a name for men, but Pentecost brought praise to God. The building of Babel was an act of rebellion, but Pentecost was a ministry of humble submission to God. What a contrast!
Acts 2:13-21 (Tuesday)
“Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” (NIV)
1) I believe at least one of the reasons that the Holy Spirit is so quenched in our churches today, is the hardness of man’s heart. We see an example of that very hardness in this passage. Drunk! Some among the Jewish crowd were so hardened, they wrongly interrupted the gift of God—just as they wrongly interrupted the ministry of Jesus Christ. i.e., His choosing not to first establish His earthly kingdom, but rather, bringing all mankind eternal salvation through His death and resurrection!
2) Thank God, the world has not yet seen the complete fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy! No, beloved, we are in that wonderful period of God’s grace where anyone, anywhere and at anytime can simply call on the name of Jesus and be saved! Just take a moment and think where you would be without God’s grace—His unearned favor toward you! What if we did have to do it all—we had to be “good enough,” perfect? Not a one of us would be able to stand before a holy and just God! “Oh, magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears!” Glory, glory, glory!
3) What is that “great and glorious day of the Lord?”
Acts 2:22-28 (Wednesday)
“"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: "`I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'” (NIV)
1) If any of us doubt that our Father God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, look at the predestined plan He had for His only begotton Son, Jesus the Christ. Through God’s foreknowledge:
a) At just the right moment in history, God the Son—Jesus Christ, became flesh and was sent to this earth
b) Jesus lived a hunble, holy, righteous (sinless) and miraculous life before God and man
(1) The miracles of Christ, while certainly acts of God’s great love and compassion, were primarily the physical proof and support given by God the Father that Jesus was indeed the long awaited Messiah. These miracles were not the gift! No, they were meant to point man to Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift to all mankind!
(a) Please don’t ever make the mistake of seeking after the miracle and not the Savior! Many did at that time and, sadly, they still do today! There are those who fell away, failing to go all the way with Jesus because they are looking for something better in this life—health, happiness, riches, fame--not the reward of a life selflessly spent bring honor and glory to the great Three-in-One!
(b) Oh, yes, ask! Don’t ever not ask—but, above all else, seek Him and His kingdom!
c) Jesus was handed over to wicked men
d) Jesus was put to death on a cross
e) Jesus was raise from the dead
f) Jesus returned to God the Father (death could not hold Him!) and was filled with great joy because He had fulfilled God’s plan and purpose for His life, i.e., to bring many with Him to the Father!
2) In this passage, what gives David, the psalmist, the ability to live in constant hope?
3) I wonder how our lives would be changed if we, “always saw the Lord before us?” What are some of the things that get in our way—blur our vision?
4) What are the natural responses of keeping our eyes on Jesus?
Acts 2:29-36 (Thursday)
“"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "`The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." ' "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."” (NIV)
1) Here, we get to look directly into source of David’s faith, and our own! Looking forward! You can’t look backwards (except to learn from yours or others mistakes)—you’ll become discouraged! You can’t keep your eyes on the present—you’ll be overwhelmed! No, you look up and you look forward! God had promised that there would never fail to be a descendant of David seated as king on the throne of Israel! Because David knew God’s promises, He knew God was speaking of the promised Messiah (Genesis 3:15!) Do we “see” this promise fulfilled today? No, not in the physical realm! It is through our faith that we know and believe that this same Jesus is even now seated on David’s throne in the heavenlies and will one day return and physically sit on that earthly throne as promised to David! This same Jesus waits patiently until God the Father physically, i.e., in our natural world, places everything under His feet. (Spiritually, this is already a done deal!)
Acts 2:37-41 (Friday)
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (NIV)
1) Have you ever experienced that “cut to the heart” feeling? How did it make you feel? Can you remember what brought it about? Do you feel free to share? Please do!
2) Now, there are some who say you can’t preach like this today because it will turn people away. Many preach a watered down gospel. Man, Peter sure didn’t! Remember, this is the same Peter that denied Christ three times! What brought about this powerful change?
3) Jesus tells us, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself.” Wouldn’t you say that is exactly what Peter did?
4) How did Peter support his argument that Jesus was the Christ?
5) How many were drawn to faith in Christ from this very first preaching of the gospel?
6) What are some ways we can lift Jesus up in our own lives? How would you go about supporting your belief in our risen Lord?
7) Verses 22-27 is the whole gospel of Jesus Christ! What should be one’s first response to hearing Christ preached? What should be the believer’s second response?
8) What does repent mean?
9) Whoa! Talk about a wonderful promise—“you and your children and for all who are far off!” If you have a loved one and you’re not sure about his/her/their souls, pray these words back to your heavenly Father. They are His words—inspired by the Holy Spirit. God has promised that His word will not return to Him void—empty, lacking in their power! Don’t give up! Remind God of His promise! Pray for that “one more chance,” that “one more opportunity!” The Holy Spirit is not limited by pain, comas, forgetfulness, hardness of the heart (He is in the business of melting those hardened hearts!) Whatever the circumstance may be—God is always God! He does not want any to perish! You do your part, fervently pray and trust—no matter what you see or hear. Only God knows for sure. Trust Him! He is called Faithful!