ACTS 2:1-21 “The Hub of the Bible” November 4, 2012

Remembering what ACTS is: Not so much a history as a progress report of the apostles and their fulfilling the Great Commission

Acts 1:1 – 6:7 outlines the beginning and growth of the church in Jerusalem, and ends with the statement “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” Acts 1:1 – 6:7 outlines the beginning and growth of the church in Jerusalem, and ends with the statement “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:8 – 9:31 describes the spread of Christianity into Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and ends with the statement “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” Acts 6:8 – 9:31 describes the spread of Christianity into Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and ends with the statement “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” Acts 9:32 – 12:24 pictures the expansion of the church into Antioch and Caesarea and the reception of the Gentiles into the faith. It ends saying “But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.” Acts 9:32 – 12:24 pictures the expansion of the church into Antioch and Caesarea and the reception of the Gentiles into the faith. It ends saying “But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.”

Acts 12:25 – 16:5 tells of the preaching of the Gospel through Asia Minor and Galatia, ending with the report “So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.” Acts 12:25 – 16:5 tells of the preaching of the Gospel through Asia Minor and Galatia, ending with the report “So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.” Acts 16:6 – 19:20 reports on the carrying of the Word into Europe (Corinth, Ephesus, etc.) and ends by noting “So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing” Acts 16:6 – 19:20 reports on the carrying of the Word into Europe (Corinth, Ephesus, etc.) and ends by noting “So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing” Acts 19:21 – 28:31 finishes the narrative with the Gospel being preached in the heart of the ancient world, and concludes “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” Acts 19:21 – 28:31 finishes the narrative with the Gospel being preached in the heart of the ancient world, and concludes “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.”

Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Time: Pentecost The occasion of the feast The occasion of the feast Called “Pentecost” because it occurred on the fiftieth day after the Passover Sabbath. (Lev. 23:15&16) Called “Pentecost” because it occurred on the fiftieth day after the Passover Sabbath. (Lev. 23:15&16) Called the “Feast of Weeks” because it occurred a week of weeks (7 X 7) from Passover. (Deut. 16:10) Called the “Feast of Weeks” because it occurred a week of weeks (7 X 7) from Passover. (Deut. 16:10) Called the “Feast of Harvest” because it marked the day when the firstfruits of the wheat harvest were offered in sacrifice to God. (Exo. 23:16) Called the “Feast of Harvest” because it marked the day when the firstfruits of the wheat harvest were offered in sacrifice to God. (Exo. 23:16)

The characteristics of the Day The characteristics of the Day One of three occasions in the year when all men of Israel were required to go to Jerusalem to worship. (Exo. 23: However, by the time of Christ, that had been altered so that only those living within fifteen miles of Jerusalem were required to go.) One of three occasions in the year when all men of Israel were required to go to Jerusalem to worship. (Exo. 23: However, by the time of Christ, that had been altered so that only those living within fifteen miles of Jerusalem were required to go.) All work was suspended on that day. (Numbers 28:26) All work was suspended on that day. (Numbers 28:26) Offerings were to be made in conjunction with the feast. (Deut. 16:16&17) Offerings were to be made in conjunction with the feast. (Deut. 16:16&17)

The reasons for the Feast Day The reasons for the Feast Day Thanksgiving for the harvest Thanksgiving for the harvest Rejoicing for deliverance (Deut. 16:11&12) Rejoicing for deliverance (Deut. 16:11&12) Tradition—not Scripture—says it was to commemorate the giving of the law. Tradition says it was the day on which Moses had received the Law on Mt Sinai Tradition—not Scripture—says it was to commemorate the giving of the law. Tradition says it was the day on which Moses had received the Law on Mt Sinai

SUDDENLY, IT HAPPENS!!

Prophecies of this event: Prophecies of this event: Joel 2:28ff– “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. 29 “Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” Joel 2:28ff– “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. 29 “Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” John the Baptist announces it– “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11) John the Baptist announces it– “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11) Jesus promised it– “for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5) Jesus promised it– “for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5)

Place: the temple The disciples, following the ascension and in keeping with Jesus’ instruction, were “continually in the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:53) The disciples, following the ascension and in keeping with Jesus’ instruction, were “continually in the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:53) Probably in the outer court of the Gentiles, since that is one of the few places in Jerusalem large enough to accommodate such a crowd. Probably in the outer court of the Gentiles, since that is one of the few places in Jerusalem large enough to accommodate such a crowd.

What was seen and heard Sound like a violent, rushing wind Sound like a violent, rushing wind Tongues of fire—distributing themselves. The old term from the KJV is “cloven” tongues. This means they had a solid base, but split apart as they moved upward. Again, this was not fire, but “as of fire”. Tongues of fire—distributing themselves. The old term from the KJV is “cloven” tongues. This means they had a solid base, but split apart as they moved upward. Again, this was not fire, but “as of fire”. THIS IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (At least, the manifestation of what was happening.) THIS IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (At least, the manifestation of what was happening.)

Acts 2:5-13 “Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.”

The Results of this Holy Spirit Baptism On the Apostles: On the Apostles: They spoke in tongues (vs. 4) They spoke in tongues (vs. 4) These were the languages of those gathered These were the languages of those gathered But how? But how? It appears from the “divided” tongues that the apostles spoke in their language, but that the people heard in their language! It appears from the “divided” tongues that the apostles spoke in their language, but that the people heard in their language!

On the people: On the people: They were “bewildered” (v. 6) They were “bewildered” (v. 6) They were “amazed and marveled” (v.7) They were “amazed and marveled” (v.7) They were “perplexed” (v. 12) They were “perplexed” (v. 12) Some had the answer: they are drunk! Some had the answer: they are drunk! How would being drunk allow you to hear someone speaking a different language from yours in your tongue? How would being drunk allow you to hear someone speaking a different language from yours in your tongue? Peter’s answer: too early to be drunk, but not too early for the Spirit to move! Peter’s answer: too early to be drunk, but not too early for the Spirit to move!

Acts 2:14-21 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; 18 Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. 19 ‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. 21 ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ 17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams; 18 Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit And they shall prophesy. 19 ‘And I will grant wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 ‘The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come. 21 ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

What Joel says: “all mankind”—not a sampling of the Jews (the apostles) and Gentiles (the house of Cornelius), but “all” “all mankind”—not a sampling of the Jews (the apostles) and Gentiles (the house of Cornelius), but “all” “signs in heaven above…the sun shall be turned to darkness…before the great and terrible day of the Lord” “signs in heaven above…the sun shall be turned to darkness…before the great and terrible day of the Lord” “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Going back to John the Baptist’s prophecy in Matthew 3:11– “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Going back to John the Baptist’s prophecy in Matthew 3:11– “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Generally we interpret this to mean that the apostles were to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and those who reject Jesus would be baptized in fire (lost into the fires of hell). But what about those who are neither apostles or rejecters of Jesus? What about them? Generally we interpret this to mean that the apostles were to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and those who reject Jesus would be baptized in fire (lost into the fires of hell). But what about those who are neither apostles or rejecters of Jesus? What about them? I see in this prophecy of Joel and promise of a future baptism of the Holy Spirit for all of those who obey Jesus—at the same time those who do not obey receive a baptism of fire! I see in this prophecy of Joel and promise of a future baptism of the Holy Spirit for all of those who obey Jesus—at the same time those who do not obey receive a baptism of fire!

QUESTIONS?? Next week, Peter’s sermon and the people’s response Next week, Peter’s sermon and the people’s response Life in the infant days of the church Life in the infant days of the church