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Acts Chapter Two

 
Chapter Two General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To carefully consider the events surrounding the outpouring of the
 Spirit on the day of Pentecost
 
2) To examine Peter's first gospel sermon, and the evidence presented in
 it for the resurrection of Jesus Christ
 
3) To observe the response to the sermon, and what people were told to
 do in order to be saved
 
4) To note the establishment and characteristics of the church in
 Jerusalem
 
SUMMARY
 
Ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven, on the Jewish feast day of
Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is poured out as promised. With the sound of
a rushing mighty wind, and with tongues of fire appearing above their
heads, those filled with the Holy Spirit begin to speak in other tongues
(1-4). Devout Jews visiting from other countries are attracted and
amazed as they hear wonderful works of God proclaimed in their own
languages (5-13).
 
Peter, standing with the rest of the apostles, explains that what has
happened is a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-32), who
foretold that God would pour out His Spirit in the last days (14-21).
He then preaches Jesus of Nazareth to the crowd, reminding them of His
miracles, their involvement in His death, and proclaiming that God
raised Him from the dead. As proof for the resurrection, Peter offers
three lines of evidence: 1) the prophecy by David, who foretold of the
resurrection (Psa 16:8-11); 2) the twelve apostles as witnesses; 3)
the Spirit's outpouring itself , indicative of Christ's exaltation and
reception of the promise of the Spirit from the Father. In conclusion,
Peter pronounces that God has made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord
and Christ (22-36).
 
Cut to the heart, the people ask the apostles what they should do.
Peter commands them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins
and gift of the Holy Spirit. With many other words he exhorts them to
be saved, and about 3000 souls gladly receive his word and are baptized
(37-41).
 
Thus begins the church in Jerusalem, which continues steadfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and prayers.
Signs and wonders are done by the apostles, while the believers display
their love and devotion through acts of benevolence and frequent
worship. They enjoy the favor of the people, and the Lord adds to the
church daily those being saved (42-47).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT (1-4)
 
 A. ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST (1)
 1. A Jewish holiday, also known as the Feast of Weeks and Feast of
 Harvest, one of three great annual festivals (cf. Lev 23:15-22;
 Exo 23:14-18; 34:22)
 2. Fifty days after the Passover Sabbath, i.e., Sunday
 3. They, most likely the apostles (cf. Ac 1:11,26; 2:7,14), were
 gathered in one place
 
 B. WITH AUDIBLE AND VISUAL SIGNS (2-3)
 1. A sound from heaven
 a. As of a rushing mighty wind
 b. Filling the house where they were sitting
 2. Divided tongues
 a. As of fire
 b. One upon each one of them
 
 C. FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT (4)
 1. Speaking with other tongues (known languages, cf. Ac 2:8,11)
 2. As the Spirit gave them utterance
 
II. THE REACTION OF THE CROWD (5-13)
 
 A. CONFUSED AND AMAZED (5-11)
 1. The crowd made up of devout Jews visiting from other nations
 2. The effect of what they heard
 a. Drew the multitude together
 b. Confused them, for everyone heard them speaking in their own
 language
 c. Amazed and marveled them, for those speaking were Galileans
 d. Yet were hearing languages of the countries of their birth
 1) Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia
 2) Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia
 3) Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome
 4) Both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs
 3. Hearing in their languages the wonderful works of God
 
 B. TWO RESPONSES (12-13)
 1. One of serious questioning: "Whatever could this mean?"
 2. One of mockery: "They are full of new wine."
 
III. THE EXPLANATION BY PETER (14-21)
 
 A. THEY WERE NOT DRUNK (14-15)
 1. Standing up with the eleven, Peter addresses the crowd
 2. It was too early in the day ("third hour", i.e., 9 a.m.) for
 them to be drunk
 
 B. THE FULFILLMENT OF JOEL'S PROPHECY (16-21)
 1. The events were those prophesied by Joel (cf. Joel 2:28-32)
 2. Which foretold of the outpouring of the Spirit
 a. In the last days on all flesh
 b. Leading sons and daughters to prophesy, young men to see
 visions, and old men to dream dreams
 c. With signs and wonders in heaven above and earth beneath
 before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord
 d. With salvation to those who call upon the name of the Lord
 
IV. THE SERMON BY PETER (22-36)
 
 A. PROPOSITION: GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD (22-24)
 1. Jesus, a man attested to by miracles, signs and wonders
 a. Done by God in their midst
 b. Which they themselves knew
 2. Jesus, crucified and put to death
 a. According to the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God
 b. Which they did by lawless hands (via the Romans)
 3. Jesus, whom God raised from the dead
 a. Having loosed the pains of death
 b. For it was not possible that He should be held by it
 
 B. EVIDENCE: THREEFOLD TESTIMONY (25-35)
 1. The testimony of David
 a. For David prophesied of Jesus (cf. Psa 16:8-11)
 b. David could not be speaking of himself
 1) For he was dead and buried
 2) With his tomb for all to see
 c. But spoke as a prophet
 1) He knew that God had sworn with an oath that one of his
 descendants would be raised to sit on his throne
 2) He therefore spoke of the resurrection of Christ, whose
  soul was not left in Hades nor did His flesh see
 corruption
 2. The testimony of the apostles
 a. They were witnesses
 b. That God raised Jesus
 3. The testimony of the Spirit's outpouring
 a. Jesus poured forth what they saw and heard
 1) Having been exalted to the right hand of God
 2) Having received from the Father the promise of the Holy
 Spirit
 b. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but prophesied of
 the Lord (Psa 110:1)
 1) Who would sit at God's right hand
 2) Until His enemies became His footstool (cf. 1 Co 15:
 25-26)
 
 C. CONCLUSION: JESUS IS LORD AND CHRIST (36)
 1. All the house of Israel were to "know assuredly" (i.e., believe
 with all their hearts)
 2. That God made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ
 
V. THE CONVERSION OF 3000 SOULS (37-41)
 
 A. THE RESPONSE OF THE LISTENERS (37)
 1. They were cut to the heart
 2. They said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and
 brethren, what shall we do?"
 
 B. THE REPLY BY PETER (38-39)
 1. Two commands
 a. Repent
 b. Let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
 2. Two promises
 a. For the remissions of sins
 b. You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
 3. The extent of the promise
 a. To them and their children
 b. To all who afar off, as many as the Lord will call
 
 C. THE RESULTS RECORDED BY LUKE (40-41)
 1. After Peter with many other words testified and exhorted them:
 "Be saved from this perverse generation"
 2. Those who gladly receive his word were baptized
 3. That day about 3000 were added (cf. Ac 2:47)
 
VI. THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH (42-47)
 
 A. THEIR STEADFASTNESS AND REVERENCE (42-43)
 1. They continued steadfastly in:
 a. The apostles' doctrine and fellowship
 b. The breaking of bread and prayers
 2. Fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done
 through the apostles
 
 B. THEIR CHARITY AND GROWTH (44-47)
 1. Those who believed were together and had all things in common
 a. Those with possessions and goods sold them
 b. Dividing them among all according to their need
 2. They continued daily with one accord in the temple
 3. Breaking bread from house to house, eating with gladness and
 simplicity of heart
 4. Praising God and having favor with all the people
 5. The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - The outpouring of the Spirit (1-4)
 - The reaction of the crowd (5-13)
 - The explanation by Peter (14-21)
 - The sermon by Peter (22-36)
 - The conversion of 3000 souls (37-41)
 - The beginning of the church (42-47)
 
2) What day had arrived? Who was gathered in one place? (1)
 - The Day of Pentecost; "they" (most likely the apostles, cf. Ac
 1:26; 2:7,14)
 
3) What audible and visible signs were evidence of the Spirit's
 outpouring? (2-3)
 - The sound of a mighty rushing wind filling the house where they
 were sitting
 - Divided tongues, as of fire, one sitting upon each of them
 
4) What did those filled with Spirit begin to do? (4)
 - To speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance
 
5) Who was present in Jerusalem at that time? (5)
 - Devout Jews from every nation
 
6) What indicates that the "tongues" were known languages of men? (6,11)
 - Everyone heard them speak in his own language
 - The people said, "We hear them speaking in our own tongues..."
 
7) What evidence is that those speaking were only the apostles? (7)
 - Those speaking were Galileans (which was true of the apostles,
 whereas many disciples were from other regions besides Galilee)
 
8) What was the reaction of those who heard? (7,12-13)
 - They were amazed and marveled, they were perplexed, some even
  mocked
 
9) How did Peter and the eleven discount the charge that they were
 drunk? (14-15)
 - It was only the third hour of the day (9 a.m.)
 
10) To what does Peter attribute the events of that day? (16)
 - That which was spoken by the prophet Joel
 
11) When would the events described by Joel occur? (17)
 - In the last days
 
12) Upon whom would the Spirit be poured out? (17,18)
 - All flesh
 - God's menservants and maidservants
 
13) What did Joel prophesy would be some of the effects of the Spirit's
 outpouring? (17-18)
 - Sons and daughters shall prophesy (cf. Ac 21:8-9)
 - Young men shall see visions and old men shall dream dreams
 - God's menservants and maidservants shall prophesy (cf. 1 Co 11:5)
 
14) What other events were foretold by Joel? When would they occur?
 (19-20)
 - Wonders in heaven and signs in the earth
 - The sun turned into darkness, and the moon into blood
 - Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord
 
15) What reassuring promise was made by Joel? (21)
 - Whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved
 
16) How was Jesus attested to by God? (22)
 - By miracles, wonders, and signs which He did through Him
 
17) Could the audience deny that Jesus did these signs? (22)
 - No, for they were done in their midst and they were aware of them
 
18) Though crucified by lawless hands, according to what was Jesus'
 death? (23)
 - God's predetermined purpose and foreknowledge
 
19) What is the main proposition of Peter's sermon? (24)
 - God raised Jesus from the dead
 
20) What first line of evidence did Peter present to prove his
 proposition? (25-31)
 - The prophecy of David concerning the resurrection of the Christ
 
21) How was Peter able to prove that David did not speak of himself?
 (29,34)
 - David was dead and buried, the tomb was still there
 - David did not ascend into the heavens
 
22) What two prophecies of David did Peter reference? (25-29,34-35)
 - Psalms 16:8-11; 110:1
 
23) What second line of evidence did Peter present to prove his
 proposition? (32)
 - The apostles were witnesses of the resurrection
 
24) What third line of evidence did Peter present to prove his
 proposition? (33-33)
 - The outpouring of the Spirit, indicative of being exalted to the
  right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise
 of the Holy Spirit
 
25) What did Peter want his audience to know assuredly? (36)
 - That God has made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ
 
26) How did this impact the audience? What did they ask? (37)
 - They were cut to the heart; "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
 
27) What two commands did Peter give them? (38)
 - Repent and be baptized
 
28) What two promises did Peter offer them? (38)
 - Remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit
 
29) To whom was the promise offered? (39)
 - To them and their children, and to all who are afar off, as many as
 God would call
 
30) What else did Peter say? (40)
 - With many words he testified, and exhorted them, "Be saved from
 this perverse generation"
 
31) What did those who gladly received his word do? How many? (41)
 - They were baptized; about 3000
 
32) What did those who were baptized then do? (42)
 - Continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in
 the breaking of bread and in prayers
 
33) Who were doing many wonders and signs? (43)
 - The apostles
 
34) What did those who believe do with their possessions? (44-45)
 - Sold them and shared with one another as anyone had need
 
35) What did the disciples do during those first days of the early
 church in Jerusalem? (46-47)
 - Continued daily in the temple with one accord
 - Breaking bread from house to house, eating with gladness and
 simplicity of heart
 - Praising God and having favor with all the people
 
36) What did the Lord do during those days? (47)
 - Added to the church daily those who were being saved

The 3000 On Pentecost (2:1-41)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The Book of Acts serves a unique role in the New Testament and the 
 history of the church...
 a. It picks up where the gospels leave off, and provides a backdrop 
 for the epistles
 b. It details the spread of the gospel, and expansion of the Lord's 
 church
 c. It is the only record, inspired or otherwise, of the first thirty
 years of the church
 
2. Included in the historical record of Acts are many examples of 
 conversions...
 a. In which we find the apostles and other preachers leading people
 to Christ
 b. In some cases we can read the very sermons used to proclaim the
 gospel
 c. We also have descriptions of what people were told to receive 
 God's saving grace
 
3. The value of such examples of conversion cannot be overstated...
 a. For today we can hear or see many different "gospels" being 
 proclaimed
 b. Even when the gospel facts are faithfully proclaimed, sometimes 
 people are told to respond in a manner not found in the New 
 Testament
 -- With the help of The Book of Acts, we can make sure that the
 gospel facts and commands are faithfully proclaimed!
 
4. In this series, we shall examine several examples of conversions as
 described in Acts...
 a. Noting the background of each conversion
 b. Considering the sermons proclaimed and the responses to them
 c. Analyzing the sermons and responses, seeking to glean the 
 elements of the gospel message and what response to expect of 
 those coming to Christ
 
[In this study, we start with the first example of conversion, "The 
3000 On Pentecost", as recorded in Acts 2. As we begin, let's do so
with...]
 
I. THE BACKGROUND OF THE CONVERSION
 
 A. IT WAS THE DAY OF PENTECOST - Ac 2:1
 1. An annual Jewish feast, celebrated 50 days after the 
 presentation of the firstfruits
 2. One in which Jews would travel great distances to attend - Ac
 2:5
 
 B. THE SPIRIT FELL ON THE APOSTLES - Ac 2:2-13
 1. As promised by John and Jesus - Ac 1:4-5; cf. Lk 24:49
 2. Accompanied by audible and visual signs...
 a. A sound as of a mighty rushing wind - Ac 2:2
 b. Divided tongues as of fire sitting upon each of them - Ac 
 2:3
 3. Enabling the apostles to speak in foreign languages - Ac 2:
 4-11
 a. Every man heard them speak in his own language - Ac 2:6,11
 b. That those who spoke were "Galileans" (Ac 2:7), suggesting
 the apostles
 1) For the apostles were from Galilee
 2) Whereas the 120 disciples were from all over Palestine
 4. The reaction of the crowd was mixed - Ac 2:12-13
 a. Some were amazed and perplexed
 b. Others mocked, accusing the apostles of being drunk
 
 C. PETER EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED - Ac 2:14-21
 1. It was too early for them to be drunk - Ac 2:14-15
 2. Rather, it was a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy - Ac 2:16-21
 a. Found in Joel 2:28-32
 b. In which God promised to pour out of His Spirit on all 
 flesh
 
[So we find a large gathering of religious people initially drawn by 
the miraculous events which occurred this day in Jerusalem. Having 
explained the meaning of the events, Peter immediately proceeded with
the first recorded gospel sermon...]
 
II. THE SERMON AND ITS RESPONSE
 
 A. JESUS IS PROCLAIMED...
 1. Peter began with the life and miracles of Jesus, with which
 his audience was well acquainted - Ac 2:22
 2. He laid the blame of Jesus' death at their feet, but said it 
 was in keeping with God's predetermined plan - Ac 2:23
 3. He declared that God raised Jesus from the dead, and provided
 three lines of evidence - Ac 2:24-35
 a. The testimony of David - Ac 2:25-31
 1) Who prophesied of the resurrection of God's Anointed 
  - Psa 16:8-11
 2) Who could not have been speaking of himself, but of
 Jesus
 -- Thus, the testimony of Scripture
 b. The testimony of the twelve apostles - Ac 2:32
 1) Who had to be eyewitnesses to qualify as apostles - cf. 
 Ac 1:21-26
 2) With twelve witnesses, the demands of Scripture were 
 overwhelmingly met ("by the mouth of two or three
 witnesses every word may be established.")
  -- Thus, the testimony of eyewitnesses
 c. The testimony of the Spirit's outpouring - Ac 3:33-35
 1) The outpouring of the Spirit was evidence of:
 a) Christ's exaltation to the right hand of God
 b) Christ receiving from the Father the promise of the 
 Spirit
 2) And so another prophecy of David was fulfilled - cf. Psa
 110:1
 -- Thus, the testimony of the day's events
 4. Finally, Peter reached the climax of his sermon - Ac 2:36
 a. The Jesus they crucified, God had made...
 1) "Lord" (Ruler of all - cf. Mt 28:18)
 2) "Christ" (The Anointed One prophesied in Scripture)
 b. This fact they were to "know assuredly"
 1) To understand, to accept as fact
 2) To believe firmly
 
 B. THE RESPONSE TO PETER'S SERMON...
 1. The listeners were convicted - Ac 2:37
 a. They were "cut to the heart"
 b. They asked "what shall we do?"
 2. Peter replied with commands and a promise - Ac 2:38-39
 a. The commands to repent and be baptized for the remission of
 sins
 b. The promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit, a promise for
 "as many as the Lord our God will call"
 3. Luke then summarized what followed...
 a. Peter continued to offer testimony and exhortation - Ac 2:
 40
 b. Those who "gladly received his word were baptized" - Ac 2:
 41
 c. 3000 souls were "added" (later, we learn it was the Lord 
 who was adding them to His church - cf. Ac 2:47)
 
[With this response to Peter's sermon, the Lord's church began in 
Jerusalem (cf. Ac 2:42). It was an amazing day, in which 3000 souls 
responded to the gospel of Christ. What can be gleaned from this 
example of conversion?]
 
III. AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONVERSION
 
 A. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING PETER'S SERMON...
 1. Peter's focus was on the Word, not the signs and wonders
 a. His explanation of the miraculous was no more than a 
 quotation from Joel
 b. Having explained the miraculous, he directed their 
 attention to Jesus
 2. Peter's theme was the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus
 a. His life and death they knew
 b. It was His resurrection and exaltation to God's right hand
 that he sought to prove
 3. His main objective: for them to accept Jesus as their Lord
 and Messiah (Christ)
 
 B. OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE RESPONSE...
 1. The reaction of the people is noteworthy: "cut to the heart"
 a. This shows the power of God's word to convict - cf. Ro 1:16
 b. While convicted, not all people will respond in the same
 way - cf. Ac 7:54
 2. The reply to their question ("what shall we do?") is also
 noteworthy
 a. Peter commanded them to "repent", which was what Jesus 
 expected Him to say - cf. Lk 24:46-47
 b. Peter commanded them to "be baptized", which was also in 
 keeping with what Jesus commanded the apostles - Mt 28:19;
 Mk 16:15-16
 3. The purpose of their baptism was explained: "for the remission
 of sins"
 a. The identical phrase was used by Jesus in Mt 26:28
 b. His blood was shed for many "for the remission of sins"
 c. In both cases, the preposition "for" means "with a view 
 toward, in order to"
 1) Jesus shed His blood in order to provide remission of 
 sins
 2) One is baptized in order to receive remission of sins
 (for in baptism we are baptized into Christ's death 
 - cf. Ro 6:3-6)
 4. Those who are baptized were promised "the gift of the Spirit"
 a. I take the gift to be the Spirit Himself - cf. Ac 5:32
 1) Not something the Spirit gives (such as salvation or 
 spiritual gifts)
 2) All who become Christians receive the Spirit - Ga 4:6;
  1 Co 12:13
 b. The Spirit is therefore "the promise" referred to in verse
 39
 1) Who was promised by the Father and received by Christ 
 - Ac 2:33
 2) Who was poured out by Christ on the day of Pentecost 
 - Ac 2:33
 3) Thus poured out, one can now receive the "washing of
 regeneration and renewal of the Spirit" in baptism,
 resulting in justification - cf. Ti 3:5-7
 5. Those who were baptized were "added" to the church - Ac 2:41,
 47
 a. When one is baptized (i.e., saved), the Lord adds him or
 her to His church, which is His body - cf. 1 Co 12:13
 b. Baptism is therefore the "door" to the church (in the
 universal, not local) sense
 
 C. LESSONS FOR TODAY...
 1. When preaching the gospel...
 a. Our focus should be on death, burial, resurrection and 
 exaltation of Jesus Christ - e.g., 1 Co 2:1-2; 15:1-4
 b. The evidence we offer as support should be:
 1) The testimony of Scripture (e.g., the Old Testament 
 prophecies)
 2) The testimony of the eyewitnesses (i.e., the apostles)
 c. Our goal is for people to accept the Lordship of Jesus
 Christ, acknowledging Him to be the Messiah, God's Anointed
 2. When people are convicted of sin, and ask "what shall we do?",
 we should reply:
 a. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (though not specifically
 mentioned, it is assumed in the call to "know assuredly") 
 - cf. Ac 16:30-31
 b. Repent of your sins - cf. Ac 17:30
 c. Be baptized for the remission of sins - cf. Ac 10:48; 22:16
 3. Along with remission of sins, we should tell of the promise of
 the Spirit
 a. The Spirit's role in the life of the Christian is important
 - 1 Co 6:11; Ro 8:13
 b. While the role of the Spirit is often misunderstood, we 
 should not hesitate to make mention of Him as a promise and
 gift to those who obey God! - Ac 5:32
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. With the first example of conversion, we find Peter faithfully
 carrying out the commission of his Lord...
 a. To preach the gospel - Mk 16:15
 b. To preach repentance and remission of sins in His name - Lk 24:47
 c. To include baptism along with faith as a proper response to the
 gospel - Mk 16:16
 d. To make disciples by baptizing them - Mt 28:19
 
2. Is this the gospel and response being proclaimed today?
 a. Some preach the gospel of health and wealth, with a focus on
 "signs" and "wonders", rather than on the death, resurrection and
 exaltation of Christ!
 b. Some would tell the lost to simply "say the sinner's prayer", is
 that what Peter said?
 
Those who presume to preach in the name of Christ, should be careful to
preach as did His apostles; those who wish to respond to the grace of
God in Christ, should be careful to respond as did those who heard the
apostles preach!
 
Have you responded to the preaching of the gospel in the same manner as
did "The 3000 On Pentecost"? Remember...
 
 "...those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that
 day about three thousand souls were added to them." (Acts 2:41)

－－《Executable Outlines》