Bible Reading
Acts 2:1–411. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
[47:31]2. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
[47:56]3. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
[49:02]4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[49:23]5. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.
[51:33]6. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
[51:45]7. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?”
[51:57]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?”
[56:19]13. But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
[56:23]14. But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.”
[57:54]15. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
16. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
[58:03]17. “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
[58:28]18. even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
[58:37]19. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
[58:48]20. the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
[58:55]21. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
[59:02]22. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—
[59:36]23. this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
[59:40]24. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
[59:49]25. For David says concerning him, “I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;”
[01:00:04]26. “therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.”
[01:00:14]27. “For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.”
[01:00:17]28. “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”
[01:00:21]29. “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.”
[01:00:35]30. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,
31. he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
[01:00:51]32. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
[01:01:06]33. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
[01:01:12]34. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,”
[01:01:25]35. “until I make your enemies your footstool.”
36. Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
[01:01:34]37. Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
[01:01:48]38. 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.”
[01:02:06]39. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
[01:02:19]40. And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
[01:02:29]41. So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
[01:02:40]Joel 2:28–3228. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
[58:28]29. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
[58:37]30. And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.
[58:48]31. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
[58:55]32. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.
[59:02]Psalm 16:8–118. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
[01:00:04]9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
[01:00:14]10. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
[01:00:17]11. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
[01:00:21]Observation questions
- What does Acts 2 describe happening before Peter begins speaking to the crowd, and how do the people respond in different ways?
- What do the people from many nations say they are hearing in their own languages? What does that show was at the center of this miracle?
- What Scriptures does Peter use to explain Pentecost and to explain why Jesus was raised from the dead? [58:03]
- What three responses does Peter call for after the crowd is cut to the heart, and what promise does he connect to that response? [01:02:06]
Interpretation questions
- Peter explains that the Spirit’s outpouring fulfills Joel’s promise. What does it mean that God pours out His Spirit on “all flesh,” including sons, daughters, young, old, male servants, and female servants?
- The crowd heard the mighty works of God in languages they understood. How does this miracle show God’s desire to bring the good news of Jesus to people from every background and place?
- Peter tells the crowd that Jesus was crucified according to God’s definite plan, yet he also plainly says, “you crucified” Him. How can God’s sovereign plan and real human sin both be taken seriously? [59:40]
- Peter does not leave the crowd merely feeling guilty; he calls them to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. What is the difference between being sorry about sin and truly turning to Jesus?
Application questions
- Peter had denied Jesus, yet Jesus restored him and used him to speak boldly. Where do past failures still make it hard to believe that Jesus can use you? What would it look like to bring that shame honestly to Him? [57:12]
- God gives spiritual gifts to love and encourage His church, not to make anyone look more important than others. Are there ways you are tempted to compare your walk with God, your gifts, or your service with somebody else’s? [50:07]
- The people at Pentecost first asked, “What does this mean?” Think of someone in your life who is spiritually curious, confused, doubtful, or even mocking. What is one simple way you could make room for an honest conversation with them this week? [56:19]
- Peter spoke about Jesus with truth and courage, even to people who had been part of His crucifixion. When have you avoided speaking about Jesus because you feared being called weak, foolish, or judgmental? What might peaceful boldness look like in that situation? [01:05:14]
- Repentance means facing sin honestly and turning to Jesus for forgiveness. Is there a specific sin, pattern, or excuse that needs to be brought into the light rather than covered up? What would a real next step of repentance look like?
- The promise of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit is for children, those far off, and everyone God calls to Himself. Who do you tend to see as “too far off” from God? How does this promise reshape the way you pray for and speak to that person? [01:02:19]
- Jesus is the answer to life because salvation was bought with His blood, not because believers are better than others. How can you share that truth with both humility and love in a conversation this week? [01:08:43]
