Acts of the Apostles
Lesson 2Acts Chapter 2
This week we continue our study in Acts. Last week, we saw that Luke wrote everything chronologically, and, to date, we’ve studied everything that happened up to and following Christ’s resurrection and ascension into heaven.
We saw that the apostles and many disciples did as Christ commanded them and waited in Jerusalem, electing a 12th apostle during the time that they waited.
This week we will look at the empowering of Christ’s Church, as the Holy Spirit is sent to dwell in the hearts of men and women of all nations, tongues and races. We will also examine the early days of the Church as it unfolded in Jerusalem, remembering that at first the "Christian Church" was actually Jewish, and wasn’t even called "Christian". It would not be until much later that the church in Antioch would begin referring to the followers of Christ as "Christians".
For our study this week, read Acts Chapter 2 and answer the following:
- What does the word "Pentecost" mean, and what did the "Day Of Pentecost" represent to the Jews? (See Exodus 34:22 and Leviticus 23:15-17)
- In Acts 2:2, what filled the house?
- In verse four it says that "they" were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues. Who are "they"? (See Acts 1:1.)
- At the time of the "Day of Pentecost", would a lot of the Jews who had travelled from all over the known world to Jerusalem for the Passover some fifty days earlier still be in Jerusalem, or would most of them have left? (See Acts 2:5-6.)
- How do we know that the "tongues" that the Apostles spoke in were foreign languages, rather than some charismatic spiritual tongues? (See Acts 2:7-12.)
- In Acts 2:13, some doubters believed that the Apostles were "full of new wine". What does this mean, and why the reference to "new wine"?
- Metaphorically, if I said that the Apostles were "full of new wine", what would I be referring to? (See Matthew 9:16-18.)
- The first gospel message that Peter preached is described in Acts Chapter 2. What verse summarizes the Gospel message, even up thru today? What is the fundamental tenant of our faith that Peter first spoke in his message? (See Acts 2:14-21.)
- In Acts 2:22-32, Peter spoke directly to the hearers’ Jewish heritage and knowledge of what today we would call the Old Testament. What did he tell the Jews from all over the world about Christ in these verses?
- What is the impact or importance of what Peter tells the Jews in Acts 2:33-36?
- What was the reaction of the Jews who heard this? (See Acts 2:37.)
- What was Peter’s response, and how does this apply to us today? (See Acts 2:38-39.)
- What evidence was displayed that the Holy Spirit now lived in them? (See Acts 2:40-47.)
- Is this evidence that we should look for in our own lives?
May God bless us and empower us in the weeks ahead as we continue our study of this great book.
Yours in Christ,
Wes
[2016]