Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Acts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. Stay strong. Live in the Spirit. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming…
Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 2 of the book of Acts. Read it with the thought in mind that this is the first display of the power of the Holy Spirit working through man – aside from Christ, that is. Imagine what the Spirit can do through you if you let Him! Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
2 – First celebration of the harvest of the church.
See Leviticus 23:15-22.
2:1-4 – We can have power. (Explore the Bible, Adult Learner Guide, Summer 2008, Acts)
2:1 – Pentecost – 50 days after Passover.
2:2 – wind – see Ezekiel 37:9-14. This was the falling of the Holy Spirit upon the NT church. This sound of rushing wind would have been incredible. Combine it with the sight of tongues of fire that don’t blow out as the rushing wind continues to sound. WOW!
2:3 – the Holy Spirit appears as fire. They were baptized with fire. See Matthew 3:11.
The tongue is a symbol of communication.
2:4-6 – “speaking in tongues” – what would be the use of this today? To glorify God, of course. But the languages are dead, therefore it wouldn’t enable communication as originally intended. Still, God does give us the words to speak to reach hardened hearts. And the Bible is still being translated into different languages.
2:4 – at this moment, the Holy Spirit became the guiding force of the NT church by indwelling the believers. Today, we still need to give Him control of our lives for His power to be evident in us.
speak in other tongues – leleo.
God speaks EVERY man’s language!
The Holy Spirit makes us smarter than we are.
The Holy Spirit forces us out of our upper rooms and into the streets.
2:5-6 – We can use power. (Explore the Bible, Adult Learner Guide, Summer 2008, Acts)
the God-fearing Jews heard the sound of the wind. They heard the sound of the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
2:7 – utterly amazed – they were blown away.
2:12 – amazed and perplexed – they doubted.
2:13 – “they have had too much wine” – persecution continues…
2:14-41 – Peter delivers the gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit and about 3000 people accepted Christ (and the Holy Spirit) that day.
2:17-21 – Peter doesn’t quote Joel 2:28-32 perfectly, either. What is our mission? See notes on 1:8 and 1:20.
2:25-28 – Peter doesn’t quote Psalm 16:8-11 perfectly, either. What is our mission? See notes on 1:8, 1:20 and 2:17-21.
2:29 – David is called a patriarch.
2:34-35 – Peter doesn’t quote Psalm 110:1 perfectly, either. Okay. It’s just one word off, but it is another example of how we don’t need to be perfect.
2:36 – Lord and Christ – Master over all and Messiah.
2:37-41 – We can see power at work. (Explore the Bible, Adult Learner Guide, Summer 2008, Acts)
2:37 – what shall we do – shows hope. They asked because their hearts were pierced by the message.
2:38 – Peter’s instruction was to repent and be baptized as an act of obedience and an example to others that they had received forgiveness.
2:42 – devoted themselves – cleave faithfully, single-minded.
Teaching – teaching the Word was the apostles’ “center”.
Fellowship – See Genesis 4:12 – the curse of Cain (restless wandering) is broken here.
Breaking of bread – not just a meal, but also observing the Lord’s supper (communion).
Prayer – the Word is critical for prayer.
• The book of Acts teaches us much about what the Holy Spirit is capable of doing through a mortal life. What have you learned about how He wants to work through you today? What will you do to give up a bit of control to Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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