Scripture Focus: Acts 2:1-18 – “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.” [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.” [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.”
I. God’s Sovereign Invasion (Acts 2:1-3)
A. The ‘ming of the invasion (1a) – “When the day of Pentecost arrived…”
B. The target of the invasion (1b) – “…they were all together in one place.”
Unified believers make a great target for Holy Spirit invasion
C. The thundering of the invasion (2) – “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were singing.”
D. The torch of the invasion (3) – “And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each
one of them.”
Interesting note: the manifestation of the Holy Spirit was audible (sound of wind), visible (tongues of fire), and verbal (speaking in tongues)
II. The Disciples’ Supernatural Manifestations (Acts 2:4)
A. Jewish Christians baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2-4) – “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were singing. [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.”
Described: involved moving wind, roaring sound, visible flame, verbal tongues
B. Samaritans baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17) – “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, [15] who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Described: occurred subsequent to salvation and water baptism; came after the Apostles prayed for them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit; occurred via the laying on of the Apostle’s hands
Note: no wind, no roar, no flames, no verbal tongues were specifically mentioned
C. Gentiles baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48) – “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. [45] And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. [46] For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, [47] “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.”
Described: Holy Spirit is sovereignly falls on them during Peter’s sermon; spontaneously resulted in tongues and praise of the God of the Jews; occurred prior to their water baptism
Note: no wind, nor roar, no flames, no prayer to receive the baptism, no laying on of anyone’s hands
D. Disciples of John the Baptizer baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7) – “And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. [2] And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” [3] And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” [4] And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come a^er him, that is, Jesus.” [5] On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. [7] There were about twelve men in all.”
Described: a group with elementary understanding of the Gospel of Jesus; had never heard of Holy Spirit; baptized in water prior to spiritual baptism; Holy Spirit came after Paul lays his hands on them; they spoke in tongues and also prophesied.
Note: no wind, no roar, no flames; only time where prophesying is mentioned with the baptism of the Holy Spirit
John 3:8 – “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
III. The Crowd’s IniNal Confusion (Acts 2:5-13)
A. They were stunned (5-11) – “…they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. [7] And they were amazed and astonished…[12a] all were amazed and perplexed…” The diverse crowd heard their own languages glorifying God in the tongues
B. They were unable to explain the phenomenon (12b) – “What does this mean?”
C. They rejected Holy Spirit’s presence (13) – “But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.”
IV. Peter’s Prophetic Declaration (Acts 2:14-17)
“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.”
Eight centuries earlier, the prophet Joel declared that this day would come. It came and will continue until Jesus Christ returns.
John 20:22 – “And when Jesus had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”