1. Step By Step Through the New Testament (Part II) Rev. Christopher J. Respass Antioch Bible Institute Spring 2014 Lesson 2: Acts: Pentecost & Early Church Life

2. I.The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13) A. Feasts—Passover & Pentecost 1. Passover 2. Pentecost (Feast of Weeks): 50 days after Passover B. Significance 1. Passover = Jesus is the sacrifice 2. Pentecost= Holy Spirit indwells

3. Acts: Pentecost & Early Church Life C. Sounds & Sights of Pentecost 1. Sound: Wind (pneuma) --the Spirit (pneuma) of God 2. Sights: Fire --“Divine presence” --Exodus 3:2-5

4. Acts: Pentecost & Early Church Life D. Filling of the Spirit 1. Each believer was “filled” receiving as much of the Spirit as they could hold. 2. The Holy Spirit filled them with power. 3. The believers spoke in tongues (languages) unknown to them, but known and understandable by others.

5. Acts: Pentecost & Early Church Life E. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit “The event of Pentecost brought the Spirit’s presence into the life of all Christians. The Holy Spirit now teaches, leads, and produces Christian character in all believers.” (Lea & Hudson, 114).

6. Acts: Pentecost & Early Church Life II.Peter’s Sermon (Acts 2:12-40) A. Rebuts the charge of Drunkenness (v.14-15) B. Explained the significance of the Sounds, Sight and Speaking in Tongues (v.16-21)(see, Joel 2:28-32). C. Presented Jesus’ life, death and resurrection as the apex of God’s divine plan for the salvation and redemption of mankind (v.22-36)

7. Acts: Pentecost D. Made and appeal to the people for repentance, faith and baptism (v.37-39). “[Peter’s] appeal in Acts 2:38 promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who expressed repentance and faith as symbolized by baptism.” (Lea & Hudson)

8. Acts: Pentecost “Peter did not link the gift of the Holy Spirit merely with the act of baptism, but with baptism as a visible sign of repentance and faith. Christians receive the Holy Spirit by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and baptism is the outward sign of this conversion.” (Lea & Hudson, 114-15)

9. Acts: Early Church Life III.Characteristics of a Spiritual Church (2:42-47) A. Doctrine—learning about Jesus and the Word B. Fellowship—commemorating the death of Jesus and hoping in his return. C. Prayer—praise and fervent intercession. Evangelism, Discipleship, Ministry, Fellowship, Worship

10. Acts: Early Church Life IV.The Church at Prayer (Acts 4:23-31) Q: How do the prayers of this church compare to the prayers of contemporary churches you have attended? Similarities?Differences?

11. Acts: Early Church Life IV.The Problem of Sin in the Church (Acts 5) A. When Satan attacks the church he: 1. brings persecution from without 2. deception and division from within B. Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) 1. God takes hypocrisy seriously 2. They lied to God 3. Endured a drastic punishment--Death

12. Acts: Early Church Life V.Caring for Needs of Others (Acts 6) A. The Problem—Grecian widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. B. The Solution—Deacons. The apostles refused to leave the preaching of the gospel in order to make ministry to widows a full-time task. So, they appointed seven men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom as deacons.

13. Acts: Early Church Life C. The Result—God’s word increased Because the Apostles were now able to focus on preaching the word and prayer, God’s word increased and the number of believers grew rapidly.

14. Questions