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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:

1. 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)
   1. ANSWER 1: "Pentecost" meant 50th, or 50th day. Accordingly, it was seven Sundays after Passover.
   2. ANSWER 2: The "Day of Pentecost" was a celebration of the harvest and the time when the Jews were to bring offerings of their "first fruits" from that harvest. Christ was God’s first fruits offering.
2. In Acts 2:2, what filled the house?
   1. ANSWER: A loud rushing sound – not actually a wind, it only sounded like a blowing wind. The sound filled the entire house.
3. 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.)
   1. ANSWER: The Apostles.
4. 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.)
   1. ANSWER: Clearly these verses tell us that many of these Jews remained in Jerusalem. They represented "Jews from every nation under heaven". In fact, many may have come to Jerusalem just for this festival.
5. 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.)
   1. ANSWER: Because everyone heard them speak "in their own language".
6. 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"?
   1. ANSWER: They believed that they were drunk at 9 in the morning.
7. Metaphorically, if I said that the Apostles were "full of new wine", what would I be referring to? (See Matthew 9:16-18.)
   1. ANSWER: I would be referring to the Gospel -- the message that Christ is the long-awaited Messiah and that through His shed blood there is forgiveness of sins and eternal life. This was the "new wine", and not the "old wine" the Sadducees and Pharisees had been teaching (i.e., salvation through works).
8. 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.)
   1. ANSWER: Acts 2:21 – All that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
9. 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?
   1. ANSWER: He told them that Christ was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, and that they had persecuted and killed him, but he had been resurrected from the grave.
10. What is the impact or importance of what Peter tells the Jews in Acts 2:33-36?
    1. ANSWER: That God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ – the rightful heir to David’s throne. Jesus was, and is, the long-awaited savior.
11. What was the reaction of the Jews who heard this? (See Acts 2:37.)
    1. ANSWER: Immediately they realized their sin and wrong doing, and asked Peter what to do.
12. What was Peter’s response, and how does this apply to us today? (See Acts 2:38-39.)
    1. ANSWER: He told them to "repent and be baptized … and you will receive the gift of Holy Spirit".
13. What evidence was displayed that the Holy Spirit now lived in them? (See Acts 2:40-47.)
    1. ANSWER 1: They were baptized.
    2. ANSWER 2: They cared more for others than themselves.
    3. ANSWER 3: They shared everything in common.
    4. ANSWER 4: They were devoted to teaching and studying with the Apostles.
    5. ANSWER 5: They were devoted to prayer.
    6. ANSWER 6: They made daily visits to the Temple.
    7. ANSWER 7: They praised God regularly.
14. Is this evidence that we should look for in our own lives?
    1. ANSWER: Absolutely.

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]

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