The charge of drunkenness gave Peter the opportunity to explain what was happening. In his speech, the apostle first pointed to Scripture (Acts 2:16-21), describing the outpouring of the Spirit as the fulfillment of prophecy. Compare Acts 2:17 with Joel 2:28. How did Peter understand the time of fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy? Joel’s prophecy was about the future age … Continue reading –>
Pentecost. Let’s start with a puzzle. How is the word, “Pentecost,” related to the number, 50, and the term, “Feast of Weeks”? How did the observance of Pentecost change from a Jewish festival to an exuberant celebration of the Christian church? What thrilling event took place on the first observation of Pentecost by Christians? Do … Continue reading –>
In Acts 2:4, the gift of the Spirit was manifested through speaking in tongues. Yet, this gift was only one of many different manifestations of the Spirit (Acts 10:45-46; Acts 19:6). Others include foretelling the future (Acts 11:28), visions (Acts 7:55), inspired speech (Acts 2:8, Acts 28:25), healing (Acts 3:6, Acts 3:12; Acts 5:12, Acts 5:16), and qualification for service (Acts 6:3, Acts 6:5). The gift of tongues … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: At Pentecost, when the disciples were gathered in one accord in study and prayer, God poured out the Holy Spirit upon them… Lesson 2, July 8 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 2: 1-3. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. What elements … Continue reading –>
In obedience to Jesus’ command, the believers waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Spirit, and they waited amid fervent prayer, sincere repentance, and praise. When the day came, they “were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1, ESV), probably the same large upper room of Acts chapter 1. Soon, however, they would move to … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 2:1-4, John 14:16, Acts 2:5-13, Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:22-39, Ps. 110:1-3. Memory Text: “This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see … Continue reading –>
I’m starting this week’s lesson by asking a riddle. What do Gideon, a lad, and widow have in common? Here are some clues: Gideon lost over 99% of his army before a big battle. Judges 7:3-7 A young lad had a boy’s lunch of five small fishes and two small loaves of bread. Matthew 14:15-20 … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “The whole interim period between Pentecost and the Parousia [Second Coming] (however long or short) is to be filled with the world-wide mission of the church in the power of the Spirit. Christ’s followers were both to announce what [H]e had achieved at [H]is first coming and to summon people to repent and believe … Continue reading –>
While many people ask why God does not show them His will for their lives I have come to a simple conclusion. He does not need to. He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk … Continue reading –>
The first administrative action of the early Christian community, which numbered about 120 believers (Acts 1:15), was to choose a successor to Judas. Read Acts 1:21-22. What qualifications was the successor to Judas expected to have? Why would these be so important? The need was for a witness of Jesus’ resurrection (compare with Acts 4:33); this is crucial because … Continue reading –>
