The Grand Entrance

After the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven, they went to Jerusalem and waited. And it was worth the wait. One Pentecost, a Jewish festival, God sent the Holy Spirit to empower the disciples to build the church. The event is extra-ordinary and the impact has been felt through the ages and is in effect in our lives right now. Today we learn the significance of the events at Pentecost, and what it means for us today.

Scripture

Acts 2:1-13 ESV When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  (2)  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  (3)  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  (4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (5)  Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.  (6)  And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.  (7)  And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?  (8)  And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?  (9)  Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,  (10)  Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,  (11)  both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”  (12)  And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”  (13)  But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Bible Study Questions

We’re better together

Acts 2, verse 1 says that the disciples are together when the Holy Spirit came upon them. We see great acts of God with His people when they are together. Do you think God works better with us as individuals, or as a community? Why would you say that?

Acts 2:1 ESV When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

Matthew 18:20 ESV For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

God in the wind

The scripture says that the entire house was filled with the sound of a mighty wind from heaven. Why do you think it was only the sound of the wind, and what is the significance of the wind?

Acts 2:2 ESV And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Genesis 3:8 ESV And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

2 Kings 2:11 ESV And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

Ezekiel 1:4 ESV As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal.

God in the fire

After the wind, divided tongues appeared like fire. What is the significance of the fire?

Genesis 15:17 ESV When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.

Exodus 3:2 ESV And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.

Isaiah 4:5 ESV Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy.

Isaiah 6:5 ESV And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Filled with the Holy Spirit

Verse 4 says that after the Holy Spirit rested on each one of them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. But earlier in the Gospel accounts, we see Jesus breathing on them, and them receiving the Holy Spirit. How can we reconcile these two fillings of the Holy Spirit?

Acts 2:4 ESV And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

John 20:21-22 ESV Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”  (22)  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

John 7:39 ESV Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Evidence for the empowerment?

Also in verse 4, we learn that once they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples began speaking in tongues. And this is similar to what we see elsewhere in scripture, where new believers who received the Holy Spirit begin speaking in tongues. Do you think this means that everyone who is baptised in the Holy Spirit speaks in tongues?

Acts 2:4 ESV And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Mark 16:17 ESV And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Acts 10:45-46 ESV And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.  (46)  For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

Acts 19:6 ESV And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Act 2:38 ESV And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 ESV And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues

Verses 4 and 8 indicate that the disciples were speaking in tongues, meaning in this case, that the multitude gathered in Jerusalem were hearing the gospel in their own language. Do you think this speaking in tongues is the same gift of tongues Paul speaks about later? Why or why not?

Acts 2:4 ESV And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:4 ESV And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Corinthians 14:2 ESV For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 14:19 ESV Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28 ESV If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

Our response

In verses 11 and 12, we see the two classic responses from the multitude when we are confronted with the miracles of God. We either explain it away or we ask ourselves, what does it mean? The latter, is the right thing to do… So, what does this all mean to you?

Acts 2:12-13 ESV And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”  (13)  But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Luke 9:23 ESV And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Matthew 16:24-25 ESV Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”