Today’s Big Idea: After Christ’s ascension, the Holy Spirit was sent to be our divine and supernatural teacher—convicting us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). At conversion, the Holy Spirit lives in us. He leads us into God’s truth (John 14:15-17), baptizes us into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and seals us for the Day of Redemption (Ephesians 1:14). How To Experience the Holy Spirit’s Power: 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to Fill You Daily But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT2) On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. 7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11 Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. 13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!” Acts 2:1-13 (NLT2) • Biblical Guidelines For The Gift Of Tongues – 1 Corinthians 14:13-28 Tongues should be used in worship carefully, respectfully, and with interpretation—always to build up the church, not to create confusion. Biblically, tongues primarily served to proclaim the gospel in another language to help unbelievers come to faith in Christ. • Being filled with the Spirit means surrendering daily to His influence, guidance, and power. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NLT2) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT2) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT2) 2. Proclaim the Gospel Clearly and Boldly 14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel. 17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy. 19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives. 21 But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.’ 22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through Him, as you well know (Isaiah 35:5-6). 23 But God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed (Zechariah 9:9). With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him (Psalm 22:16, Isaiah 53:5). 24 But God released Him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep Him in its grip (Psalm 16:10). 25 King David said this about Him: ‘I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. 26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts His praises! My body rests in hope. 27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave (Psalm 16:10). 28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’ 29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. 31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave Him among the dead or allow His body to rot in the grave (Psalm 16:10). 2 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33 Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand (Psalm 110:1). And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’ 36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:14-36 (NLT2) 3. Repent and Be Baptized 37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. Acts 2:37-41 (NLT2) Have you truly repented and been baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ? Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT2) My Next Right Step I Will Receive God’s Grace By: Accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior Being baptized as a believer May 18th [This is only a guide – select the points you want to discuss.] Icebreaker: What's the boldest thing you've ever done (big or small)? How did you feel before, during, and after you did it? Today’s Big Idea: After Christ’s ascension, the Holy Spirit was sent to be our divine and supernatural teacher—convicting us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). At conversion, the Holy Spirit lives in us. He leads us into God’s truth (John 14:15-17), baptizes us into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and seals us for the Day of Redemption (Ephesians 1:14). John 14:15-17 – The Holy Spirit is our Advocate who guides us to truth and will never leave us 1 Corinthians 12:13 — We are baptized into one body by one Spirit. Ephesians 1:14 — The Holy Spirit guarantees our eternal inheritance. John 1:12–13 — those who receive Christ are born of God. Why is it important to know that the Holy Spirit already lives within every believer? What’s the difference between the Spirit’s indwelling at salvation and being filled daily by the Spirit? 1. Ask the Holy Spirit to Fill You Daily Read: Acts 1:8 Why did Jesus tell His disciples to wait? Read: Acts 2:1-13 What did you learn about the first experience of the disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit? How many unlearned languages were they able to speak? What did people hear them proclaim? Daily Life: Read: Galatians 5:16-17, 22-23 What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit daily rather than just occasionally? How have you seen the “fruit of the Spirit” grow (or struggle) in your life recently? What are small steps you can take to surrender more fully to the Holy Spirit each day? How can we practically “walk by the Spirit” in our everyday routines? 2. Proclaim the Gospel Boldly and Clearly Read: Acts 2:14- 36 Why do you think Peter, who once denied Jesus, was now so bold in proclaiming the gospel? When have you sensed the Holy Spirit nudging you to speak about Jesus? What happened? What fears sometimes hold us back from boldly sharing our faith? How does the Spirit help overcome them? How can we practice sharing the gospel simply and clearly? Reflect On: Romans 1:16 3. Repent and Be Baptized Read: Acts 2:37-41 & Galatians 5:24-25 How would you explain what “repentance” means to someone new to faith? Why is baptism such an important public step of faith? What “old self” attitudes or habits might God be calling you to nail to the cross right now? How can living a lifestyle of ongoing repentance help us grow spiritually? Reflect this week: Have I taken the step of believer’s baptism? Am I daily turning from sin and toward God? Prayer Focus: Pray for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. Pray for boldness to share the gospel this week. Pray for softened hearts to respond to the call to repentance and new life in Christ.