Lesson 4: The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles (1:4-8). The promise was made to the apostles (“you” in Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 5, 8; John 14-16). Jesus referenced “the Promise of the Father” (1:4; parallel with Luke 24:49). The “Promise of the Father” is a reference to Joel 2:28-32. Jesus referenced promises “you have heard from Me” (1:4). John 14:16-17, 25-26; 15:26; 16:7-13.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles (1:4-8). Jesus detailed the manner of the Holy Spirit’s coming (1:5). “You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (1:5), as John promised (Matt. 3:11). They would receive an overwhelming influence & measure of the Spirit’s power. Their spirits would be completely overwhelmed (immersed) by the Holy Spirit. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (1:8). The apostles would be “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit would come with power.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles (1:4-8). Jesus detailed the place and time of the Holy Spirit’s coming (1:5-6). Jesus told the apostles to remain in Jerusalem for the Spirit (Lk. 24:47, 49; Ac. 1:4, 8). Jesus narrowed the time of the coming to “not many days from now” (1:5). Jesus detailed the purpose for the Holy Spirit’s coming on the apostles (1:8). “You shall receive power…and you shall be witnesses to Me” (1:8). The Spirit would come on the apostles that they might speak the Words of Truth.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study The Holy Spirit came just as Jesus promised (2:1-4). In Acts 2, the 12 apostles were all together in the city of Jerusalem (1:12; 2:5). In Acts 2, the “Day of Pentecost had fully come” (2:1). One of the 3 annual feasts all male Jews were required to attend. A.K.A. Feast of weeks (Dt. 16:10), feast of harvest (Ex. 23:16), feast of ingathering (Ex. 34:22), feast of firstfruits (Nu. 28:26-31). Pentecost was 50 days (Greek = 50th) after Passover (Lev. 23:15-21). Pentecost was always on the first day of week (Lev. 23:15-16). Sunday became day of significance for Christians, not the Sabbath (Col. 2:14-17). “Had fully come” literally means “was being fulfilled.” THE day had arrived! Not just any Pentecost! The one God made the focal point of history (cf. Gal. 4:4).

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study The Holy Spirit came just as Jesus promised (2:1-4). In Acts 2, the apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit (2:2-4). The events in their meeting place first “appeared to” the apostles only (2:3). The visible forked tongues of fire were a symbol of the audible tongues to come. “All” apostles had their spirits overwhelmed and controlled by the Spirit (2:4). The “power” of the Spirit took its effect on their minds. The “presence” of the Spirit manifested itself in their words (not own words). The apostles began to speak real, human languages they had never learned.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study The Holy Spirit’s coming immediately began to have its intended results (2:5-21). Because of the feast day, there were Jews in Jerusalem from every nation (2:5). The miraculous coming of the Holy Spirit captured the people’s attention. As a result, “the multitude came together” (1:6). They were “confused,” “all amazed and marveled,” “perplexed” (1:6-7, 12). They said/asked out loud “to one another”: “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that…?” (1:7-8). “Whatever could this mean?” (1:12). As with all efforts of God, there were those who rejected and mocked (1:13).

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study The Holy Spirit’s coming immediately began to have its intended results (2:5-21). The miraculous coming of the Holy Spirit created an opportunity for the gospel. The miracle was designed for the people to ask, “Whatever could this mean?” It was a prime opportunity to answer the honest question & the irreverent mockers.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study The Holy Spirit’s coming immediately began to have its intended results (2:5-21). The miraculous coming of the Holy Spirit created an opportunity for the gospel. Peter gave the inspired explanation for the miraculous events of the day. The events were a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28-32). God promised/prophesied hundreds of years earlier (2:14-21): “In the last days” –Christian age (cf. Isa. 2:2-4; 2 Ti. 3:1, 5). “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh” –Jew & Gentile alike Spiritual gifts given to His first-century people. His Spirit given to prepare man for the “day of the Lord.” He would save all those who obeyed Him.

Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding The church/kingdom was established (came into existence) on Pentecost in Acts 2. The coming of the kingdom and the coming of the Holy Spirit are inseparably tied. Jesus promised the kingdom would come with power in His generation (Mark 9:1). Jesus promised that power would come on the apostles from on high (Luke 24:49). Jesus promised the power would accompany the coming of the Spirit (Acts 1:8). Therefore, when the Spirit came with power in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus, the kingdom of our Lord came on that same day!

Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding The miraculous tongues Christians spoke in the first century were actual languages. When the apostles “began to speak with other tongues” (1:4), God defined that. “Everyone heard them speak in his own language” (1:6). “…Hear, each in our own language in which we were born…our own tongues” (1:8, 11). The word “tongues” and the word “language” are used interchangeably by God!

Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding Holy Spirit baptism was promised to, given to and limited to only two occasions. The 12 apostles (Jews) were baptized with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 (1:5; 2:1-4). On that same day about 3,000 souls were baptized in water, not the Spirit (2:41). In Acts 10, a group of Gentiles were baptized with the Holy Spirit (10:44; 11:14-18). On no other occasion (in N.T. or since) has anyone been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Today, “There is…one baptism” (Eph. 4:5), the one of the Great Commission given by Jesus which is to be administered by man to the end of the age—i.e., water baptism.

Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding The first day of the week (Sunday) is “the Lord’s Day” of worship for Christians. First, Jesus was raised from the dead on the first day of the week (Matt. 28:1). Now, in Acts 2, the Lord’s church was established on the first day of the week (2:1). For the rest of the N.T., Christians gathered to worship on Sunday (20:7; 1 Co. 16:1-2).

Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding “Calling on the name of the Lord” for salvation is equal to repentance and baptism! “Shall be saved” in Acts 2:21 is the same as “the remission of sins” in Acts 2:38. Thus, “calling” is not merely verbal (cf. Matt. 7:21) but is penitent baptism (cf. 22:16).

Practical Points of Application for Our Lives Trust God’s Word! When He says something will happen, it will happen! Be thankful to live in the Christian age and to be able to be in His kingdom today! Still be amazed today by the wonderful works of God! Obey the Lord, be saved, and be ready for the great and awesome day of the Lord!