The Acts of the Apostles

1. Acts 2:1,2 – “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” John the Baptist’s prophecy fulfilled Matt 3:11 - “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” And that of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself – Acts 1:1-4 Day of Pentecost - annual spring feast when the Jews presented the first-fruits of their wheat harvest to God. The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 1 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

2. Exod.34:22 - You shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks, that is, the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. Also used to celebrate the giving of the Mosaic Law and gathered together in unity - Exod 19:1; Psalm 133:1 Paul gives further reflection on the importance of the Holy Spirit being given vs. the Mosaic Law - Gal 3:3, 23-29 Pentecost – Greek term meaning fiftieth. Feast of Weeks occurred 50 days after the Passover Lev 23:15,16; Deut 16:10,11 All male Jews expected to attend and with up to 20 miles of travel (Constable) Who were ‘they’ and what house? Acts 1:15 (~120) and the Upper Room? The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 2 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

3. noise like a violent rushing wind wind – pneuma, same Greek term as for Spirit – John 3:8 Coming as violent indicates power Tornado-like? Acts 2:3,4 – “And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” How would you describe tongues as of fire? Like the pillar of fire but consumable – Exod 3:2-6 But unlike the pillar abiding over the entire nation of Israel, each one received it individually, e.g. cloven or divided. The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 3 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

4. Both wind and fire symbolize the presence of God. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit In context how do you interpret being filled with the Holy Spirit? Under the power of the Spirit. In Acts, this repeatedly refers to proclamation of the Gospel. Acts 4:8, 31; 6:3, 5; 7:55; 9:17; 13:9, 52 But as believers Paul has told us to be filled with the Holy Spirit Eph 5:18 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit Overall, being filled is being totally controlled by the Holy Spirit and thus we bring glory as new creations in Christ Jesus to the Heavenly Father. This process was ongoing and essential to the early chruch age. and began to speak with other tongues The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 4 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

5. How about this as an outward sign of God’s power within? And the Jews were always looking for a sign weren’t they? And these were other tongues, known languages. Purpose was to authenticate and further the truth of the Gospel. Reflect back on Gen 11 where God confused the languages. The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” Acts Commentary by Constable 5 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

6. Acts 2:5,6 – “Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.” God-fearing men. Their origin is described in Acts 2:9,10 Was the sound the wind or the speaking in tongues? How big was the crowd? ~3000 became saved that day – Acts 2:41 But the temple area could hold up to 200,000 The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 6 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

7. Although they were bewildered, apparently there was no one who didn’t understand. Acts 2:7,8 – “They were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?’” bewildered, amazed, astonished – what more description do we need! The large majority of disciples were Galileans Matt 26:73 - A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.” Rude, unpolished, and unlearned men - differences easily detected The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 7 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

8. Acts 2:9-11 – “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs - we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 16 geographical-ethnic areas Wiemers, G www.generationword.com 8 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

9. Acts 2:12,13 – “And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean? But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.” Some continued in amazement and now great perplexity perplexity - totally at loss Could this be good? Others were mocking mocking – scoffing saying they were drunk sweet wine had a higher alcohol content The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 9 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel

10. Can you picture yourself there? Is there anything less miraculous today in terms of the Holy Spirit indwelling us to bring glory to the Lord? The Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:1-13 “Coming of the Holy Spirit” 10 February 2, 2014 Bob Eckel