Sunday School Lesson

1. Acts 2:1-21
Empowered
The Holy Spirit at Pentecost
The Church is Born
March 13, 2016
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
The glory of God!
http://kwhite75.com/websites/fbcodenville/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/glory.jpg
1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of
God.
March Memory Verse
Isaiah 6:8 ESV
8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom, shall I send, and who will go
before Us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
REFERENCES
• The ESV Study Bible, Crossway Publishing, 2008.
• The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Corporation, 1985.
• Missler, Dr. Chuck: The Book of Acts. Chapter 2. YouTube Video.

2. Introduction to The Book of Acts
• Acts is considered to be a continuation of the Gospel of Luke.
• Mostly about Peter and Paul, not the acts of apostles.
• Acts ends with Paul’s appeal to Rome:
• Acts thought to be documents prepared for Paul’s defense in Rome.
• Documents had to precede your case presentation.
Introduction to Acts 2
• Both Luke and Acts addressed to “Theophilus”.
• Theophilus means “one who loves God”.
• May be a title for a Roman official instead of a name.
• Could be symbolic name for a Christian convert.
Setting for Acts 2
• Acts 1:1-5 Apostles told to stay in Jerusalem after resurrection and Jesus
ministers to them.
• Acts 1:6-11 Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and then ascends into heaven.
• Acts 1:12-26 The apostles elect Matthias to replace Judas as the 12th
apostle.
The condition for the arrival of the Holy Spirit
John 7:37-39
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If
anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the
Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" 39 Now this he
said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet
the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Promise of the Holy Spirit and the Commissioning of the Apostles
Acts 1:8-9
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end
of the earth." 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he
was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
Acts 2:1-4 ESV
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And
suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it
filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire
appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them
utterance.

3. When the day of Pentecost arrived, …
• Pentecost – Annual harvest festival held 50 days after Passover.
• Pentecost is Greek for 50.
• Called the “Feast of Harvest” or “Feast of the Weeks” in Old Testament.
Jewish Festivals Leviticus 23
• Every Jewish Festival has a correlation to Jesus.
• Some relate to events “yet to come”.
• “The New is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed”. St.
Augustine (354-430 AD).
“… they were all together in one place.”
• They = Apostles and all believers.
• Acts 1:15 says there were 120 people in the room.
• Place is debatable –
- Listed as the “upper room” in Acts 1:13.
- Some believe they were in the Temple.
- Location was close to the Temple.
“… suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind …”
• Wind or breath is the symbol of the presence of God.
• Ezekiel 37:9
9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and
say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O
breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."
• The coming of the Spirit is marked by audible wind.

4. “It sounded like a freight train!”
Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as wind …
John 3:7-8
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows
where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes
from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
• “Wind” and “Spirit” translate the same Greek and Hebrew words.
“And divided tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of
them.”
• Fire in the OT represents the presence of God.
• “Tongues of fire” may portray the purity and power of the speech of these
disciples as they portrayed “the mighty works of God”.
And they were filled with the Holy Spirit …
• This is the fulfillment of a promise of Jesus.
• The Holy Spirit had been active in the past, but now was coming to people
in a new, more powerful way.
• This signified the beginning of the new covenant age (Church Age) that
will last until Jesus’ return.

5. “… and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
• The word translated “tongues” (Greek is glossa) can also be translated
“languages”.
• This is a miracle of speaking in a foreign language, not of hearing by the
unbeliever.
• The Holy Spirit was directing the syllables they spoke.
Is this a reversal of the event at Tower of Babel?
Genesis 11:6-7
6 And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one
language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that
they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and
there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's
speech."
Acts 2:5-8
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation
under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were
bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are
speaking Galileans? 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."

6. “…we hear them telling (in our own language) the mighty works of God.”
• Those speaking in tongues (languages) are praising God.
• The hearers understood what was being said.
Acts 2:12-13
12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this
mean?" 13 But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."
• Peter uses this as an opening to present the coming of the Holy Spirit as
fulfillment of OT prophecy.
Acts 2:14-16
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. 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:
Acts 2:17 (Joel 2:28)
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;

7. Interpretation of Joel 2:28 (Acts2:17)
• …last days = Church Age that began that day.
• …pour out my Spirit = Send the Holy Spirit.
• …on all flesh = Jews and even the Gentiles.
• …sons and daughters will prophecy = not just the prophets will prophecy.
Acts 2:18 (Joel 2:29)
18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my
Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
• Everyone includes men and women and slaves.
• The Spirit will be poured out in the Church Age (now).
Acts 2:19-20 (Joel 2:30-31) The prophecy shifts to the future – end times.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 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.
Acts 2:21 (Joel 2:32)
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved.'
• Paul quotes this OT scripture from Joel 2:32 in Romans 10:12-13.
Romans 10:12-13
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is
Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For "everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
A Closer Look
Should Christians speak in tongues today?
Guideline for Opinions on “speaking in tongues”
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has
no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
• A Christian should study the scripture and let the Holy Spirit guide you on
this subject.
How frequently did believers speak in tongues?
• Only recorded 3 times in The Book of Acts.
• Acts 2:4
• Acts 10:46 (Peter was present)
• Acts 19:6 (Paul was present)

8. An incident of speaking in tongues – Peter in Caesarea
Acts 10:44-46
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the
word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with
Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on
the Gentiles. 46 For they (Peter and Jewish converts) were hearing them
(Gentiles) speaking in tongues and extolling God.
An incident of speaking in tongues – Paul in Ephesus
Acts 19:1-4 Paul asked new converts if they received the Holy Spirit when they
first believed. They replied “No” and they were baptized “into John’s baptism”
(John the Baptist).
Acts 19:5-6
5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when
Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began
speaking in tongues and prophesying.
The religious climate in Corinth in the 1st century AD
• Speaking in tongues (Ecstatic language) was not uncommon in the pagan
churches in that day.
• Plato (429-347 BC) mentions it during his life.
• Virgil (70-19 BC) mentions a priestess healing and speaking in strange
tongues.
• Believers in Christ were using the speaking in tongues in a prideful way
(show off!).
Paul addresses speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 12-14. (Summary)
• It is one of 9 spiritual gifts.
• Spiritual gifts are a manifestation of the Holy Spirit enabling one to minister
to the needs of the church.
Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
1. The word of wisdom.
2. The word of knowledge.
3. The gift of faith.
4. The gift of healing.
5. Then working of miracles.
6. The gift of prophecy (insight from God).
7. The gift to discern spirits.
8. The gift of tongues.
9. The interpretation of tongues.

9. The Source of Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of
service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the
same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the
manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. … 11 All these are empowered
by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 says spiritual gifts were for the benefit of the whole
church and were designed to produce faith and not division.
• Ephesians 4:12 says they are: (1) For the perfecting of the saints, (2) For the
work of the ministry, and (3) For the edifying of the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 14 – Guidelines for Tongues
1 Corinthians 14:27-28
27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in
turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of
them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
• Speaking in tongues without an interpreter is meaningless and distracting
in worship.
Guidelines for Speaking in Tongues
1 Corinthians 14:39-40
39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in
tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.
• Speaking in tongues is not forbidden.
• Some scholars believe that these spiritual gifts were never intended to be
permanent, but served a purpose for the early church.
• Ephesians 4:13 & 1 Corinthians 13:9-10
Can you be filled with the Holy Spirit and not be speaking in tongues?
• YES.
• When you accept Christ as your Savior, the Holy Spirit is within you.
(Galatians 4:6)
• Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
• All these (spiritual gifts) are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who
apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:11)
• Speaking in tongues is just one of the spiritual gifts.

10. What is the importance of the Holy Spirit Coming at Pentecost?
1. After the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit
can enter ever person who accepts Jesus as their Savior.
2. In order to initiate the “Great Commission”, the spiritual gift of tongues was
given to spread the Gospel to every language.
3. The gift of tongues is for overcoming language barriers to share Jesus and
a sign of confirmation.
1 Corinthians 13 – The Love Chapter and Speaking in Tongues
1 Corinthians 13:1
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy
gong or a clanging cymbal.
• If I use my spiritual gift and I am not acting out of Love, my gift is useless.
• The spiritual gift that all believers should have is Love!
What’s love got to do with it?
1 Corinthians 13:13
13 So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is
love.
John 13:35
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one
another.
• Love is the true test of the Spirit within you!
Next Sunday – Palm Sunday
Acts 2:22-47
Getting Ready for Easter Sunday
The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

11. Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
 Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
 Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sins.
 The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be
My son.”
 Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be an overcomer.
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/