The Book of Acts: Chapter 2

Dr. Pothana's Teaching

1. Detailed Study on The Book Of Acts The Book Of Acts: Chapter-2 COACH Institute of Intercultural Studies Hyderabad

2. Acts 2

3. Acts 2:1-4 Descent of the Holy Spirit

4. P e n t e c o s t Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Pentecost means "fiftieth“ The Jews had 7 major feasts

5. 1. The Festival of Unleavened Bread (Passover or Pessah ) was held in the first month of the Jewish religious calendar. It was initiated to commemorate the Exodus (the ‘going out’) from Egypt in 1447BC when God led his chosen people out of slavery (see Exodus 12:1-20). The Jews were to eat unleavened bread (bread made without yeast) to remember that the Israelites didn’t have time to let their bread rise before leaving Egypt . 2. The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost, Harvest or Shavuot) – the main harvest festival celebrating the end of the wheat harvest – was held seven weeks after the first barley harvest (see Exodus 34:22). As it was fifty days after Passover , it became known as Pentecost (‘ pentekonta ’ means ‘fifty’ in Greek ). It usually occurred in late May or early June. Jesus’s early disciples were filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in 30AD.

6. 3. The Festival of Ingathering (Shelters, Tabernacles or Sukkot) celebrated the gathering in of the grapes, figs and olives that had ripened during the dry summer months. It was the autumn harvest festival held in late September or October. Also known as the Festival of Tabernacles , Shelters or Booths , this feast also commemorated the time when the Israelites escaping from Egypt had no permanent homes and pitched their tents (tabernacles) or temporary shelters (called 'sukkah' ) wherever they found sufficient water or grazing for their livestock (see Exodus 17:1). 4. Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) – This festival, usually held in mid-September, celebrated the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of the New Year in the Jewish civil calendar (the beginning of the seventh month in the Jewish religious calendar) (see Numbers 10:10). In an age with no written calendars, trumpets (originally the ‘shofar’ or ram’s horn) were sounded on the first day of each new lunar month (see Psalm 81:3), and as a sign of the new agricultural season. There is no reference to the Feast of Trumpets in the New Testament.

7. 5. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) – This solemn festival, at the end of September, was a time for remembering past sins (wrongdoings) and for making amends. It was the only day of fasting decreed in the Bible. Traditionally, the High Priest ‘atoned’ for the sins of the people once a year. He took a goat (the ‘scapegoat’) and symbolically heaped the sins of the people upon it before driving it out into the desert to take away their sins (see Leviticus 16:5-10 & 20-22). The Letter to the Hebrews contrasts this annual ceremony of atonement performed by the High Priest with the once-for-all forgiveness of sins achieved by Jesus on the cross at Calvary (see Hebrews 9:6-7 & 23-28). 6. Purim – this festival commemorated the actions of Queen Esther whose quick thinking and decisive action saved the Jewish exiles in Babylon and Persia from being massacred in 473 BC (see Esther 3:1-6 & 9:23-32). It takes place in February or March. There is no reference to this festival in the New Testament.

8. 7. Lights (Dedication or Hanukkah) – this festival was initiated to commemorate the re-dedication of the Second Temple by Judas Maccabaeus in 165BC after its defilement by King Antiochus Epiphanes. This re-dedication is recorded in the apocryphal First Book of the Maccabees (see 1 Maccabees 4:52-59). During the re-dedication, a single flask of olive oil miraculously kept the lamps in the Temple alight for the whole eight-day ceremony. Hanukkah takes place in mid-December. Jesus attended the Feast of Dedication ( Hanukkah ) in Jerusalem in the winter of 29AD (see John 10:22-24).

9. Acts 2:1, All Together In One Place Acts 2:1…they were all together in one place. Many think this (one place) was at the temple. 120 (1:15), 3,000 baptized in one day (vs. 41).

10. Acts 2:1, Many 1 Time Miracles . Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come… 2 ...a noise like a violent rushing wind... 3 ...tongues as of fire ... rested on each one of them. 4 ...all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [16 different languages]... 5 ...Jews ...from every nation under heaven. 6 ...hearing them speak in his own language. When God makes an ax head float, splits the Red Sea, gushes water out of a rock, theses are one time events to get Israel’s attention. He does not repeat them!

11. Acts 2:2, Sound Like A Violent Wind Acts 2:2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. “like” the blowing of a violent wind (simile) It wasn’t a violent wind! Many equate this with the sound of tornados. This, no doubt, was what drew 3000 people.

12. Acts 2:3, as, like, something like Acts 2:3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. CSB Acts 2:3 … like flames of ... KJV, . , ESV, NKJ , NAS Acts 2:3 … as of … NET Acts 2:3 … like a fire ... BGT Acts 2:3 … γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ [GING] ὡσεί , 1. particle denoting comparison as, like, something like Mt 3:16; 9:36; Mk 9:26; Lk 22:44; Ac 2:3; 6:15; Ro 6:13

13. Acts 2:3, Separated Acts 2:3 …tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

14. Acts 2:4, Filled With The Holy Spirit Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit … 3 references about the nativity Luke 1:15 [John] will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth… Luke 1:41…Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit… Luke 1:67…Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit…

15. Acts 2:4, Filled For Service Acts 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit… Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 13:9-10 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!

16. 2:5, Panorama of Eastern wall Acts 2:5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

17. Southeastern Corner of wall

18. Acts 2:6-12 Acts 2:6-12 When they heard this sound , a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language . 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs — we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues !" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

19. His Own Language-Our Own Tongues 1258 διάλεκτος dialektos {dee-al'-ek-tos} Meaning: 1) conversation, speech, discourse, language 2) the tongue or language peculiar to any people

20. Acts 2:13-16, Too Much Wine? Acts 2:13-16 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! Dr Ryrie says, “Jews engaged in the exercises of the synagogue on feast days abstained from eating and drinking until 10AM or noon; therefore this could not be drunkenness.”

21. Acts 2:16-21 Acts 2:16-21 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

22. Acts 2:16-21 spoken by the prophet Joel: = Ch 3 in Jewish Bible I will pour out my Spirit on all people … not yet young men…old men… Age discrimination I will pour out my Spirit in those days …wonders …and signs…Blood…fire and…smoke…sun…to darkness…moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord …everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

23. Who’s Peter Speaking To? Acts 2:14…"Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem… Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen… Rom 11:26-27 And so all Israel will be saved , as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them…

24. God Opened The Spigot Of Israel’s Promises Of The Last Days . Joel 2:27 "Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel [not yet]. , And that I am the LORD your God, And there is no other; And My people [Israel]. will never be put to shame [not yet]. 28 "It will come about after this [after what, May14th, 1948 and the church age?]. That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind [not yet, Millennial Kingdom]. ; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. [not yet, Zechariah 8:22-23].

25. Acts 2:22-24, This Jesus Of Nazareth Acts 2:22-24 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

26. Miracles, Wonders And Signs

27. Acts 2:25-36 Peter Preaches Christ Through the power of the Holy Spirit

28. Acts 2:36, Peter’s Finish Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." It’s all about Christ! Powered by the Holy Spirit.

29. Acts 2:37, Cut To The Heart Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Ray Stedman asks, “Who gave the altar call? What had Peter been preachin’? “Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

30. Acts 2:38 The Order Of Repent And Believe . Acts 2:38 …"Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness …. The order is always, #1. have a change of thought/mind, #2. then believe. "Acts 15:7…the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe." " Acts 16: 3 1 … And th e y s a i d , " Bel ie v e in the Lo r d Jesus, and you shall be saved… "Acts 28:24 And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe."

31. Repent And Believe Mark 1:15…the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Repent and believe are not synonyms, they are two completely different Greek words. Yet they are 2 sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other. If you truly have a change of thought/mind, you will believe. You also cannot believe if you have not truly had a change of thought/mind. The order is always, #1. have a change of thought/mind, #2. then believe.

32. Repent And Believe Mark 1:15 …the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, " Repent , and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ… What is the prerequisite to be baptized? Revelation 3:3 … repent . If therefore you will not wake up , I will come like a thief…

33. Acts 2:38, Baptized For Sins Acts 2:38…be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…

34. Acts 2:39, God’s Sovereignty Acts 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."

35. Acts 2:40, Save Yourselves Acts 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."

36. Acts 2:41, Acts 2:41 Those who accepted [middle voice again] his message were baptized [passive voice] , and about three thousand were added [passive voice] to their number that day. Three thousand! From 120 to 3,120 Wow!

37. Acts 2:42, Saved, Now What? Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. The apostles' teaching = Bible Study

38. Acts 2:42, Sweet Fellowship Psalm 55:14 We who had sweet fellowship together Walked in the house of God in the throng. Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy. Corrie Ten Boom

39. Acts 2:43, Signs That Mark An Apostle Acts 2:43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles . 2 Cor 12:12 The things that mark an apostle — signs, wonders and miracles — were done among you with great perseverance. These signs , wonders and miracles were to ordain the apostles, and to convince the Jews that this work was of God. As prophets of God, they were accredited to write God’s Word. Matthew 10:19 …do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

40. Acts 2:44-47, Sharing Not Socialism Acts 2:44-47 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts . They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. This is voluntary sharing not governmental taking.

41. Acts 2:47, God’s Sovereignty Acts 2:47…And the Lord added [verb indicative imperfect active] to their number daily those who were being saved [present passive voice] . Acts tells about Christ and His “building” of the church through the Holy Spirit’s work.