Welcome to Week 7 of our Life of Peter series. This week we look at Acts chapter 2 and the Day of Pentecost. This is the birth of the church and the debut of a very different Apostle Peter. Let’s get started!
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
A Mighty Rushing Wind
Observe
In Acts chapter 1, it records Jesus instructing the apostles to remain in Jerusalem and wait for what the Father would send them—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There has never been, neither before nor since, a manifestation of the Spirit like this one: sound, lights, and the gift of tongues!
Acts 2:1-11
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
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.
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.”
Genesis 11:1-9
The Tower of Babel
1 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 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.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.
Imagine what it was like on the Day of Pentecost! Luke records that the Holy Spirit came down upon them with such intensity that it could be both heard and seen. It’s almost as if the Spirit was waiting, eager to descend, and when word was given He burst forth in a mighty wave. Before this, God’s Spirit would come upon someone when needed to empower them. However, on this day and on every day since, the Holy Spirit inhabits every believer and does not depart. He is the guarantee of our redemption. How loud was the sound of His arrival? Verse 6 tells us that “at this sound the multitude came together.” It was loud enough to be heard all over town! This coming of the Holy Spirit also produced the miracle of the apostles speaking in other tongues. As the apostles spoke, each listener heard them speaking in the listener’s native language.
The Bible records one other time when all men had a common tongue, in Genesis chapter 11. The people in this story were building a city with a great tower whose top would “reach the heavens.” God observed this brazen attempt by people to declare themselves His equal and decided to disrupt this unified rebellion by scattering the people and confusing their language. Ever since then, communication between tribes and nations has been an impediment to unity, with misunderstandings and distrust being a common occurrence. On the Day of Pentecost, God reversed what took place at the Tower of Babel. For one day at least, everyone was united in hearing one common language. No doubt this is a glimpse of heaven, where we will all understand each other perfectly, no matter what language we may think we’re speaking. There can be no unity without communication. We must hear and understand each other if we want to come together. We are one in His Spirit.
- If your relationship to God is the most important relationship in your life, how important is your relationship to other believers?
- What impedes believers communicating with each other? What would it take for this to change?
Heavenly Father, I confess there have been more than a few times I haven’t put in the effort it takes to communicate well to those in my life. Especially when it comes to other believers. I allow disagreements to drive us apart, when what unites us should be more important. Lord, may your Spirit give me ears to hear and understand what others are saying, and let my words be ones that build up instead of tearing down.
Day 2
Peter Explains
Observe
The assembled multitude was amazed (those who heard) and perplexed (those who didn’t). Peter gets everyone’s attention and begins his sermon by explaining what was happening.
Acts 2:12-21
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’s Sermon at Pentecost
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:
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;
18
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
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.
21
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Romans 10:5-17
The Message of Salvation to All
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 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.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
There are other instances recorded of the Holy Spirit giving someone a gift of tongues, and there are plenty of opinions about just how those gifts operated, but it seems pretty clear in this case that the miracle had two parts: the apostles who began to speak in other tongues and the listeners who each heard them in their own native language. However, not everyone in the multitude had received that listening part. They began to mock those who were amazed at what they heard, and Peter rose to their defense. It was not alcohol causing this, but God pouring out His Spirit as the prophet Joel said He would in the last days. Joel declared the result of this outpouring would be people calling upon the name of the Lord, and being saved.
In Bible times, your name was indicative of your character. Some people lived up (or down) to the name they had been given, while others earned new names by how they lived. God was known by many names. His personal name was Yahweh (I Am), which when combined with other descriptive terms was rendered Jehovah, such as Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Who Heals you), and Jehovah Shalom (The Lord of Peace). To call upon God’s name is to recognize, and rely upon, his nature.
- If you were to be renamed in accordance with how you have lived your life thus far, what name do you think you would be given?
- God’s names reveal his nature, so what is the part of God’s nature that is most precious to you?
Dear Lord, I’m sure I could be called by a lot of different names, and only a few of them are good. Not so with you, Lord. Your name tells me who you are and how you love me. Jehovah Yasha, The Lord Our Savior, what a wonderful name! How marvelous that you still want me, and even when I’m unfaithful you still reach out to me. I will find comfort in your name, Lord, now and forever.
Day 3
Jesus of Nazareth, Lord and Christ
Observe
Peter’s sermon continues as he names Jesus of Nazareth, the man these same people had urged the Romans to crucify, and proclaims His resurrection from the dead.
Acts 2:22-36
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35
until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Psalm 16:8-11
8
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
11
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 110:1
Sit at My Right Hand
A Psalm of David.
1
The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
Peter referred to the words of King David, Israel’s greatest king and a prophet in his own right. Peter quoted from Psalm 16 and Psalm 110, where David declared that the one whom God would raise from the dead was his Lord, who would ascend to heaven and sit at God’s right hand. The resurrection is not some optional part in the story of Jesus. You cannot accept Jesus is who He is without also accepting He has risen and is alive today. It is His death AND resurrection that establishes him as Lord and Christ. Thus it becomes the most important question you will ever answer, “Do you believe this man rose from the dead?”
- When you think about Jesus, which do you think about more often, the cross or the empty tomb?
- What benefit comes from keeping the resurrection of Jesus in our thoughts daily, and not only as a big deal at Easter?
Almighty God, death could not hold you. The grave did not claim you. You have risen to life again. What can I possibly have to fear? Your resurrection guarantees that I do not have to fear death itself. My prayers are heard by the same Jesus who walked out of the tomb and asked Mary why she was crying. The same Jesus who met Peter on the beach and forgave him for his weakest moment will meet me when I am at my worst. I follow you, my risen Savior!
Day 4
Immersed Every Day
Observe
A portion of the crowd, three thousand in all, is deeply convicted by Peter’s words (cut to the heart, it says), and they ask what they can do. Peter gives them an answer—Repent!
Acts 2:37-41
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Romans 6:1-11
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Peter’s response to the question “what can we do?,” was for them to repent (a purposeful change following a great conviction) and be baptized (immerse themselves) in the name of Jesus Christ (which reflects who He is and what He does) so their sins might be forgiven. This promise, Peter says, is for everyone whom God calls to Himself. This isn’t only a one time event for us. We should be continually challenged by who Jesus is and what he has done for us, and it should result in our continuing repentance (die to yourself every day) and repeated immersion in the name of Jesus Christ. The life of faith is not “one and done,” it’s an ongoing process of recognizing who we are, seeing who he is, and diving into him (metaphorically speaking).
- The Bible tells us that to follow Christ we must die to ourselves. What does that mean to you, “dying to yourself?”
- What is important about making this a daily discipline, and why is it often difficult to do?
Heavenly Father, I confess that I cling to things that I shouldn’t. What I know I should do, I don’t do, and what I don’t want to do, those are the things I do. I will not give up, Lord. Each new day is another chance to put to death the things in me that are not from you. My selfishness, my pride, my love of comfort, my sinful desires, all of these should die so all that remains is the new creation I have become in you.
Day 5
The First Church
Observe
The chapter concludes with a description of life among those believers who formed the first church.
Acts 2:42-47
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Acts 4:32-37
They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
What an amazing picture of the first church! Devoted to the apostle’s teaching, developing interpersonal bonds (breaking bread together) and prayer. In addition, there was no need for a welfare state, because the church willingly gave from their own possessions to take care of any who had need. Attending corporate worship together, showing hospitality to each other (breaking bread in their homes), they were glad and generous! They praised God and gained favor with all the people. When those characteristics are what your church is known for, no reasonable person will oppose you and God will save many through your ministry.
- When you look over the list of things happening in that first fellowship of believers, what changes might that inspire you to make about your life?
- Among the general population in our city (among those who know us), for what would you say our church is known?
Dear God, I can sense the awe and wonder that this first church must have had. Yet nothing keeps me from those same things today—nothing except me. If I am willing, I can devote myself to the teaching of your word, building strong bonds with my brothers and sisters, and being generous to those who have needs. Lord, I want to see others come to faith in you. Make me a catalyst at Rio for all these things.