GETTING READY FOR THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH THE OF THE SPIRIT’S COMING. 2:1-4 Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Acts 1:4 (NIV) “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Pentecost Originally = It was the middle of the three annual Jewish harvest festivals (Dt. 16:16). It was either called the Feast of Harvest (celebrating the completion of the grain harvest) or the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) because it took place 50 days after the Passover, which was when the grain harvesting began. Pentecost Historically = Towards the end of the inter-testamental period, it began to be observed as the anniversary of the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai, because this was considered to have occurred 50 days after the Exodus. 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. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The noise was not wind, but sounded like it. The sight was not fire, but resembled it. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV) For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. The speech was in languages that were not their own – “speak with other tongues (languages).” So, what was it? Was it a baptism or a filling? Scripture shows that baptism is the placing of the believer into the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into [placed into and identified with] one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Filling emphasizes the power and control of the Spirit in the life of the believer. Ephesians 5:18 (NASB) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit [what follows are the results of being filled], 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Evidence of the Holy Spirit: we are joyful, grateful and humble. THE OF THE SPIRIT’S COMING. 2:5-13 Acts 2:5 (NIV) Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 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!" The first effect is that all this – what I call “funneled commotion” - this crowd of international Jews and those who were sympathetic to the God of Judaism. Second, the crowd heard – not a sermon or unintelligible speech – they heard ! 2:11 …we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God. Acts 2:12 “And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another ‘What does this mean?’” Acts 2:13 But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.” THE EXPLANATION OF THE SPIRIT’S COMING 2:14-21 Acts 2:14 (NIV) 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! Acts 2:16 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.' Let’s be good students of God’s Word and open this up bit by bit. This event was centuries ago by the prophet, Joel. It’s not the delusions of drunks; it’s the fulfillment of what God had promised. It is centered in the “ .” This is a reference to a period of time that is between the first and second comings of the Messiah. The Jews had rejected their Messiah as their King and now had to wait through a period for his return – what we could call “the church age.” It has to do with the “ ” of God’s Spirit. No longer would God’s Spirit be given in drips and drabs to His people. The image here is of a waterfall, a fire hose, of God’s Spirit as He takes up residence inside God’s children. There are no more boundaries in regard to gets the Spirit’s work in their lives. This pouring out is on all people. Peter uses Joel’s imagery of contrasts and comparisons – sons and daughters, young men and old men, servants, both men and women. There are no more boundaries in regard to who gets to God’s truth. There are segments of Christianity that get caught up in prophesy, seeing visions and dreaming dreams. The emphasis is not on the medium, but on the message. These last days until “the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come.” Peter is focused on the idea that this is just the beginning point. He rightly notes that there is a sense of “now and then” in Joel’s prophecy. Today, at the birth of the church, the Spirit is poured out into the hearts of every son or daughter of God. There will be events that close out this time that are still in the future. The grand goal of all this is that who calls on the Lord will be saved. ADMIRING THE BIRTH John 14:16 (NIV) And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. John 14:26 (NIV) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 15:26 (NIV) When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning. John 16:6 (NIV) Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see Me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. Ephesians 1:13 (NASB) In Him [Christ], you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed [ownership] in Him [Christ] with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge [down-payment, arabon] of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Galatians 4:6 (NASB) Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. You can email yourself or someone else a copy of the notes before or after you fill them in. CCLI license for streaming 20106686