The Move

 

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1. To carefully consider the events surrounding the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost
2. To examine Peter's first gospel sermon, and the evidence presented in it for the resurrection of Jesus Christ
3. To observe the response to the sermon, and what people were told to do in order to be saved
4. To note the establishment and characteristics of the church in Jerusalem

SUMMARY

Ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven, on the Jewish feast day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is poured out as promised. With the sound of a rushing mighty wind, and with tongues of fire appearing above their heads, those filled with the Holy Spirit begin to speak in other tongues (1-4). Devout Jews visiting from other countries are attracted and amazed as they hear wonderful works of God proclaimed in their own languages (5-13).

Peter, standing with the rest of the apostles, explains that what has happened is a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-32), who foretold that God would pour out His Spirit in the last days (14-21). He then preaches Jesus of Nazareth to the crowd, reminding them of His miracles, their involvement in His death, and proclaiming that God raised Him from the dead. As proof for the resurrection, Peter offers three lines of evidence: 1) the prophecy by David, who foretold of the resurrection (Ps 16:8-11); 2) the twelve apostles as witnesses; 3) the Spirit's outpouring itself , indicative of Christ's exaltation and reception of the promise of the Spirit from the Father. In conclusion, Peter pronounces that God has made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ (22-36).

Cut to the heart, the people ask the apostles what they should do. Peter commands them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit. With many other words he exhorts them to be saved, and about 3000 souls gladly receive his word and are baptized (37-41).

Thus begins the church in Jerusalem, which continues steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and prayers. Signs and wonders are done by the apostles, while the believers display their love and devotion through acts of benevolence and frequent worship. They enjoy the favor of the people, and the Lord adds to the church daily those being saved (42-47).

OUTLINE

1. THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT (1-4)
1. ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST (1)
1. A Jewish holiday, also known as the Feast of Weeks and Feast of Harvest, one of three great annual festivals (cf. Lev 23:15-22; Exo 23:14-18; 34:22)
2. Fifty days after the Passover Sabbath, i.e., Sunday
3. They, most likely the apostles (cf. Ac 1:11,26; 2:7,14), were gathered in one place
2. WITH AUDIBLE AND VISUAL SIGNS (2-3)
1. A sound from heaven
1. As of a rushing mighty wind
2. Filling the house where they were sitting
2. Divided tongues
1. As of fire
2. One upon each one of them
3. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (4)
1. Speaking with other tongues (known languages, cf. Ac 2:8,11)
2. As the Spirit gave them utterance
2. THE REACTION OF THE CROWD (5-13)
1. CONFUSED AND AMAZED (5-11)
1. The crowd made up of devout Jews visiting from other nations
2. The effect of what they heard
1. Drew the multitude together
2. Confused them, for everyone heard them speaking in their own language
3. Amazed and marveled them, for those speaking were Galileans
4. Yet were hearing languages of the countries of their birth
1. Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia
2. Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia
3. Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome
4. Both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs
3. Hearing in their languages the wonderful works of God
2. TWO RESPONSES (12-13)
1. One of serious questioning: "Whatever could this mean?"
2. One of mockery: "They are full of new wine."
3. THE EXPLANATION BY PETER (14-21)
1. THEY WERE NOT DRUNK (14-15)
1. Standing up with the eleven, Peter addresses the crowd
2. It was too early in the day ("third hour", i.e., 9 a.m.) for them to be drunk
2. THE FULFILLMENT OF JOEL'S PROPHECY (16-21)
1. The events were those prophesied by Joel (cf. Joel 2:28-32)
2. Which foretold of the outpouring of the Spirit
1. In the last days on all flesh
2. Leading sons and daughters to prophesy, young men to see visions, and old men to dream dreams
3. With signs and wonders in heaven above and earth beneath before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord
4. With salvation to those who call upon the name of the Lord
4. THE SERMON BY PETER (22-36)
1. PROPOSITION: GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD (22-24)
1. Jesus, a man attested to by miracles, signs and wonders
1. Done by God in their midst
2. Which they themselves knew
2. Jesus, crucified and put to death
1. According to the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God
2. Which they did by lawless hands (via the Romans)
3. Jesus, whom God raised from the dead
1. Having loosed the pains of death
2. For it was not possible that He should be held by it
2. EVIDENCE: THREEFOLD TESTIMONY (25-35)
1. The testimony of David
1. For David prophesied of Jesus (cf. Ps 16:8-11)
2. David could not be speaking of himself
1. For he was dead and buried
2. With his tomb for all to see
3. But spoke as a prophet
1. He knew that God had sworn with an oath that one of his descendants would be raised to sit on his throne
2. He therefore spoke of the resurrection of Christ, whose soul was not left in Hades nor did His flesh see corruption
2. The testimony of the apostles
1. They were witnesses
2. That God raised Jesus
3. The testimony of the Spirit's outpouring
1. Jesus poured forth what they saw and heard
1. Having been exalted to the right hand of God
2. Having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit
2. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but prophesied of the Lord (Ps 110:1)
1. Who would sit at God's right hand
2. Until His enemies became His footstool (cf. 1Co 15:25-26)
3. CONCLUSION: JESUS IS LORD AND CHRIST (36)
1. All the house of Israel were to "know assuredly" (i.e., believe with all their hearts)
2. That God made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ
5. THE CONVERSION OF 3000 SOULS (37-41)
1. THE RESPONSE OF THE LISTENERS (37)
1. They were cut to the heart
2. They said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
2. THE REPLY BY PETER (38-39)
1. Two commands
1. Repent
2. Let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
2. Two promises
1. For the remissions of sins
2. You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
3. The extent of the promise
1. To them and their children
2. To all who afar off, as many as the Lord will call
3. THE RESULTS RECORDED BY LUKE (40-41)
1. After Peter with many other words testified and exhorted them:"Be saved from this perverse generation"
2. Those who gladly receive his word were baptized
3. That day about 3000 were added (cf. Ac 2:47)
6. THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH (42-47)
1. THEIR STEADFASTNESS AND REVERENCE (42-43)
1. They continued steadfastly in:
1. The apostles' doctrine and fellowship
2. The breaking of bread and prayers
2. Fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles
2. THEIR CHARITY AND GROWTH (44-47)
1. Those who believed were together and had all things in common
1. Those with possessions and goods sold them
2. Dividing them among all according to their need
2. They continued daily with one accord in the temple
3. Breaking bread from house to house, eating with gladness and simplicity of heart
4. Praising God and having favor with all the people
5. The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved