Term 3 – Week 2
Big Idea – The Holy Spirit comes upon the church so they could testify about Jesus.
Acts 2:1-39
Outcomes
Know that the Holy Spirit is given to all believers to enable them to tell the good news of Jesus
Implications
- Belief – If we trust in Jesus we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, giving us the power to speak of Jesus
- Behaviour – repent and follow Jesus as Peter proclaims, being willing to speak of Jesus to others!
Introduction
Jesus told the apostles in Acts 1:8 that they were to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth – but they could never complete this task alone. The Holy Spirit comes upon the church and he enables effective witnessing to the gospel of Jesus.
The sound of wind and the sight of fire accompany this pouring out of the Spirit. In the Old Testament the sign of wind and fire indicated a visitation from God (e.g. Ex 3:2; 14:21 & 1 Kings 19:11-12). In Acts we see God permanently taking up residence in the lives of individuals. God’s Spirit is not just present with his people corporately or leading them collectively; rather each individual believer gathered that day in Jerusalem is touched by fire. As a result the crowd were able to speak in “other tongues” and understand the gospel in their own language, even though they were from all nations around the Mediterranean. This reversed he curse of Babel where God judged the world by giving them different languages so they could not understand each other (Gen 11:7).
The chief role of the Spirit is to enable believers to witness to the gospel and enable people from all over the world to understand who Jesus is and respond to him. In Acts 2:14-41, Peter then gets up and witnesses to the gospel of Jesus. He begins by quoting Joel 2:28-32, and declares that the last days of which was spoken by the prophet Joel have now been fulfilled in Christ – for the Spirit has now arrived and now salvation is offered freely to all who call upon the name of the Lord. He boldly proclaims to gospel of Jesus Christ; that Christ died, was raised to life, and ascended to heaven where God made him Lord and Christ – the response is to repent and believe. Three thousand people believed and were baptised (Acts 2:41). Thus the gospel is witnessed in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8).
Memory Verse
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1v8
Songs
Leaders PDF
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