1 Lesson 6 Acts, Chapter 2

2 The Baptism of the Spirit (vs. 1-4) 1 The Day of Pentecost. “Pente-” (50) followed the feast of Passover by 50 days Also called “Feast of Weeks” (Deut. 16:10) (7 weeks following Passover) Also called “Feast of Harvest” (Wheat harvest) (Exo. 23:16) Also called the “Feast of the Firstfruits” (Lev. 23:17)

3 The Baptism of the Spirit (vs. 1-4) 2 The Day of Pentecost. One of three feast days (Passover, Tabernacles) the Jews were required to observe by traveling to Jerusalem. Day of Pentecost always falls on a Sunday, 7 weeks following the Passover Sabbath (Lev. 23:1-16, esp. 15) The Day of Pentecost was a feast of Thanksgiving for the harvest.

4 The Baptism of the Spirit (vs. 1-4) 3 The Manifestation of the Spirit. The Gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the 12 apostles Context demands it… the pronoun “they” (in accord with English and Greek grammar) has as it’s antecedent the nearest proper noun (apostles in vs. 26, not the 120 in vs. 15) See also Mark 16:14-20 (“the eleven”)

5 The Baptism of the Spirit (vs. 1-4) 4 The Manifestation of the Spirit. The Sound from heaven (Like a wind) AUDIBLE The cloven tongues (Like fire) VISIBLE The tongues (languages) were unlearned and a miraculous gift given by the Holy Spirit

6 The Audience (vs. 5-13) 1 The makeup of the audience. Were drawn by the sound from heaven Were confused by the ability of Galileans to speak in tongues they had not learned Were devout (careful to obey) Came from nations conquered by Romans (and even from a few outside of the Roman sphere).

7 The Audience (vs. 5-13) 2 The explanation of the tongues. Though greek was a common language, each had their own languages (ex: Aramaic in Judea) Scoffers attributed the tongues to drunkenness (note: it is self-evident that this explanation is false). Drunkenness can not explain coherent discourse in an unlearned language

8 Peter’s Message (vs ) 1 Joel’s Prophecy (14-21) Peter first dismisses the claim of drunkenness Joel’s prophecy (2:28-32) is fulfilled with the establishment of the kingdom Christian age is the “Last days” No reason to limit Joel’s prophecy to this single day, it is only the beginning of the “last days”

9 Peter’s Message (vs ) 2 Joel’s Prophecy (14-21) “all flesh” would seem to reference not only Jews, but Gentiles (cf. Acts 10, the Household of Cornelius) Parts of the prophecy would seem to indicate the end of the “last days” (vs ) “Calling on the name of the Lord” Peter describes how this is to be done in verse 38 of the text. “Shall be saved” (Salvation from sin)

10 Peter’s Message (vs ) 3 The Testimony of David (22-31) First, Peter contends that the Jews were aware (“you know”) of God’s testimony concerning His Son Jesus Jesus death was by design (23-24) Psalm 16:8-11 is quoted as a Messianic prophecy of David Peter attributes the words to a reference to the resurrection of Jesus

11 Peter’s Message (vs ) 4 Eyewitness Testimony (32) Peter and the apostles were eyewitnesses to the Lord’s resurrection (cf. 1:22; 1 Cor. 15:1-11) Ramifications (33-36) Verse 33 is a clear indication that Jesus is presently reigning in His kingdom The resurrection proves Jesus as Lord and Christ

12 Response to the Message (vs ) 1 The Jews’ Question (37) “cut” – to pierce thoroughly. i.e. – to agitate violently The Jews were stricken in conscience regarding their guilt in crucifying Jesus “What shall we do?” (Question motivated by guilt in response to the part they played in the crucifixion). What to do to avoid God’s wrath (a question indicating the desire for salvation).

13 Response to the Message (vs ) 2 Peter’s Answer (38) Told to DO two things: 1) Repent – “to change one’s mind or purpose” (Vines); 2) Be baptized in the name of Christ – immersion in water. “immersion, submersion and emergence” (Vines) Purpose of actions: “for the remission of sins.” In effect, forgiveness of sins is contingent upon repentance & baptism.

14 Response to the Message (vs ) 3 The Gift of the Holy Spirit (38) Greek ambiguous… Either, 1) Holy Spirit as a gift; or, 2) A gift given by the Holy Spirit. Many believe the reference is to Salvation itself as a gift of the Spirit If Spirit as a gift, does not require either personal indwelling (rather a relationship, cf. Col. 1:27; Gal. 1:24; 1 Jn. 4:16; ) or miraculous gifts (these given by the laying on of the apostle’s hands, cf. Acts 8:14-17).

15 Response to the Message (vs ) 3 To Whom the Promise Pertains (39) Promise: “the remission of sins”/ “the gift of the Holy Spirit” All in the “last days” until such time as Jesus comes again, including the Gentiles “those afar off” (cf. Acts 10: Eph. 2:13-17) God calls through the gospel (cf. 2 Thess. 2:14; Rom. 10:13-14)

16 Response to the Message (vs ) Souls Saved (40-41) Verse 40 indicates that the preaching continued 3000 souls were “added” (“to put to” – Vines; “to join together, to gather with” – Reese) Verse 47 indicates that those baptized are added to the church or kingdom.

17 Daily Life in the Early Church (vs ) 1 Spiritual Fellowship (42) Zealous in their Christian practice “Apostle’s doctrine” (apostles given the responsibility of imparting the truth, cf. Matthew 28:20) Fellowship here indicates spiritual communion. Lord’s Supper: “the breaking of the bread” (article in both places in the original greek). Prayer: Continual prayer (cf. 1 Thess. 5:17)

18 Daily Life in the Early Church (vs ) 2 The signs from God (43) Note: Miracles done through the apostles (not the 120) Christian hospitality & benevolence (44-47) Breaking bread here refers to common meals and hospitality Benevolence: “all things in common”

19 The Continued Salvation of Souls (vs. 47) 1 “Added to the Church ” Note: It is God that adds one to the church One is added at baptism (vs. 41) One is added at salvation (vs. 47) This is a far cry from the denominational practice that separates salvation from church membership.

20 The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches (Edward T. Hiscox, 1890, p. 22) “It is most likely that in the Apostolic age, when there was but ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism,’ and no differing denominations existed, the baptism of a convert by that very act constituted him a member of the church [see Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13], and at once endowed him with all the rights and privileges of full membership. In that sense, ‘baptism was the door into the church.’ Now it is different...”