Pentecost (Acts 2)

Table of Contents

Introduction

An Unexpected Experience (Acts 2:1-13)

1)Spirit Filled and Spirit Empowered (Acts 2:1-4)

2)Amazement and Wonder and Doubt (Acts 2:5-13)

3)Principle

The Holy Spirit empowers common men to do uncommon things.

4)Illustration

5)Applications

What has God done through you lately that you know you could never have done on your own?

How are you preparing yourself in order to be ready to be used by God?

Peter's Bold Explanation (Acts 2:14-41)

1)Boldness of Peter (Acts 2:14-21) 3

The Spirit Poured Out (17-18)

Judgment For Some (19-20)

Salvation Available (21)

2)The Fulfillment in Jesus – The Gospel (Acts 2:22-24)

Jesus Is Central in All Scripture

Jesus Died

The Resurrection

3)David Prophesies Resurrection (Acts 2:25-28)

4)David Prophesies Jesus Ascension/Exaltation (Acts 2:29-35)

5)Decision Time (Acts 2:36-41)

Repentance & Baptism For Forgiveness

Believe, Receive, Be Baptized

6)Principle

The Holy Spirit gives clarity, conviction, and conversion through the Gospel message.

7)Illustration

8)Applications

When was the last time you asked God for boldness to speak His truth in love?

When was the last time you cared enough about an enemy of the Gospel to share the Gospel with him?

What fears do you have, of speaking up for Christ, that need to be brought to the Father?

An Unwavering Commitment (Acts 2:42-47)

1)Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread, and Prayer (Acts 2:42)

The Scriptures

Fellowship

The Lord's Supper or Meals Together

2)Principle

A commitment to Christ results in a commitment to His purpose through His church.

3)Illustration

4)Applications

What does your commitment to Christ's church say about your commitment to Christ?

How has God used you lately to add to the number in His Church?

What brother do you know who could use your friendship, fellowship, or even your financial help?

Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever wanted something so badly, you could hardly wait? Maybe it was a trip to some exotic destination that you have always dreamed of. Perhaps it was some new, large purchase, such as a new house. Perhaps it was the day of your wedding, when you and your bride to be would become one.

When a person longs for something to come, it is easy for that something to consume much of that person's time and energy. Every spare moment (and some that are not spare) are consumed with thoughts of that something. It can even become and idol.

But when there is a promise, such as the one given by Jesus to his disciples, the longing causes one to go to the Lord in anticipation. That is where we have seen the disciples for the past 10 days since Jesus' ascension. Waiting and praying and gathering together.

An Unexpected Experience (Acts 2:1-13)

1)Spirit Filled and Spirit Empowered (Acts 2:1-4)

They were gathered in the same way they had been for the past 10 days. Most likely praying.

They were not seeking any kind of experience but probably considering what Jesus' last words to them, “Be my witnesses...you will receive power to do just that.”

What had Jesus orchestrated? The ability to carry out exactly what he told them to do but in a very unexpected way.

We often think of foreign missions as missions taken to a foreign land. But sometimes God brings the mission field to our own back yard.

I have neighbors that live behind me who are from India. A family 4 doors down are from Pakistan. Several doors down from them are a couple from Belgium. We live in a mission field right here at home!

And so, many from various different places outside of Judea were all gathered to celebrate the 50^th day after Passover. And these were a mixed group both locationally and linguistically, but also Jews and proselytes.

As the Holy Spirit came upon this group, he empowered them with the ability to speak in other tongues – in real languages that they had not studied. Both the words and the ability to speak in the language was given by the Holy Spirit – “...as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

But prior to this, the Spirit's filling was preceded by “the sound of a mighty rushing wind.”

Some of you have experienced a tornado, or at least heard one. I have always heard that it sounds like a train. Ever since coming to Kansas, every time I hear a train whistle, I run for shelter :)

But this mighty rushing wind sound would have evoked the thought of Jesus description of the Spirit, blowing where He will. Not able to see him (just like the wind) but His effects are certainly seen.

Another manifestation to those gathered was the appearance of tongues of fire that divide and rest on each of them. Often God is shown to manifest himself in fire (e.g., the burning bush, the pillar of fire, the fire on Mt. Sinai, etc.)

And then they were filled...

And as they began to speak in other languages, people began to gather, not because of them speaking, but due to the sound of the wind with no actual wind.

2)Amazement and Wonder and Doubt (Acts 2:5-13)

They gathered to see from whence the sound, but they were in for a much bigger surprise. People were praising God in their own native language.

Certainly they all understood Hebrew or Aramaic, or Greek, but when they heard their native tongue and it being spoken by Galileans and Judeans, it is amazing.

Even if you understand a foreign language, there is something special about hearing your native tongue. Mary and I have traveled abroad on occasion. It is nice to learn the languages and try to converse with people, but when you hear someone clearly speaking to you in English, it really is refreshing.

That's exactly what God does here. He enables the 120 gather, fills them with His Spirit, then proclaim his praises in a way that is easily understandable but also seemingly impossible to the hearers and the speakers.

So those who heard and understood the words in their native tongue began to be amazed. They knew what was being said and knew that it was pointing their focus toward God and not toward the speakers. But they were also amazed that this was happening through ordinary men and women.

This was completely unexpected to both the speaker and the hearer.

Verse 6 says they were bewildered (ESV) and in verse 12, amazed and perplexed, “What does this mean?”

They understood that what was being spoken was not just off the wall gibberish, but intelligible language proclaiming God's praises. So what was God doing? That was the question on their minds.

But not everyone felt that way. There are always skeptics in every crowd. And there are those who always evaluate things in a strictly naturalistic way. (NOTE: some look for a spiritual meaning behind everything which is equally annoying and dangerous)

Verse 13 points out that some thought they had too much new wine to drink.

3)Principle

The Holy Spirit empowers common men to do uncommon things.

4)Illustration

One of the biggest hindrances to the Spirit using you and me is when we thing we have something He can use. Pride!

5)Applications

What has God done through you lately that you know you could never have done on your own?

How are you preparing yourself in order to be ready to be used by God?

Peter's Bold Explanation (Acts 2:14-41)

[Boldness, Godly Wisdom, Spiritual Insight, Love for Sinners, Clear and Complete Gospel Message]

1)Boldness of Peter (Acts 2:14-21)

Peter stands up and boldly explains the situation. It is only 9:00 AM and these men have had no wine to drink. Instead, this is fulfillment of OT prophecy that you have heard before.

Peter's boldness is a manifestation of the Spirit's power. He had shown his ability to stand in his own strength back in the garden.

And his boldness is not a defiant boldness as a rebel who has a bone to pick with the authorities that were in power. He wasn't trying to put down those who were mocking, but he had a Godly boldness that desire the truth to be known.

In fact, Peter follows his own inspired writings from his first Epistle (1 Peter 3:13-17):

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
16 yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

Peter wasn't trying to win an argument, he was trying to proclaim the truth of what was happening and fulfill his Master's will.

The Spirit Poured Out (17-18)

Through Joel, a prophet empowered by God's Spirit, God proclaimed a coming day, the “last days” when the Spirit would not just be poured out on a single person for a single purpose, but would be poured out on all flesh.

This all flesh does not mean that ultimately everyone will receive the Holy Spirit, but it does point to the fact that all nations, all genders, all languages, all geographic areas, all age groups, etc., are included in that all.

Judgment For Some (19-20)

Notice the language used in verses 19 and 20. This is the same type of apocalyptic language used in other prophetic writings. Often the writer used poetic language to describe things that God was doing or going to do.

These verses ultimately point out the hopelessness of the “day of the Lord” for those who are wrongly related to Him.

Blood, fire, and smoke all speak of judgment. The sun being darkened and moon turning to blood are the same types of words used when Isaiah spoke of the exiles being taken to Babylon.

Those separated from God in this life have judgment awaiting them.

But, this need not be the case for all.

Salvation Available (21)

Those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Peter has laid out the framework of what is happening – judgment awaits humanity but salvation is from the Lord (see also John 3:17-18)

All of this to answer the amazement of the crowd and the skepticism of some.

Peter doesn't leave them with a vague sense of what Joel was getting at. The Holy Spirit has a deeper explanation that is necessary in order for anyone to call on the name of the Lord and be saved.

2)The Fulfillment in Jesus – The Gospel (Acts 2:22-24)

Peter includes the essence of the Gospel message in these short 3 verses.

Jesus Is Central in All Scripture

He brings us back to the historical facts of the life of Jesus of Nazareth and that his life was attested by God. He was not merely another man, but a man sent by God. The very signs and wonders he did evidenced God's power at work through him.

The central figure of the Gospel has to be the Jesus revealed in all of Scripture. We must be true to God's revelation of Jesus in both the OT and NT or we will be guilty of presenting a Jesus who is of our own making.

And so, Peter points out to this audience the person they all were familiar with to some extent or at least had heard about.

Jesus Died

God's Plan

The fact that Jesus died as a criminal would have been well-known to all those present who had been in for Passover. But they were not familiar with the idea that God's plan was for Jesus to be crucified. That this was always God's plan and it was according to His divine will that it was accomplished.

So up to this point, Jesus lived and Jesus died, but what caused his death – what was the immediate cause?

Man's Responsibility/Culpability

It was you and lawless men. In other words, whether your hand actually took part in the act or whether you stood by and shouted or whether you were not even present at the crucifixion, it was you (and me) who put him on the cross.

It was God's will, but man is culpable for his part in it. Were it not for man's sin, Jesus would not have died and it would not have been part of God's fore-ordained plan all along.

But we did sin and continue to do it. And the very things we think are small potatoes in regard to sin are in fact the very sins Christ died for. So we are all responsible. And unless we understand that, there is no hope of salvation. For if it was not my sin that put him on the cross, I have no hope of his death pardoning me and freeing me from the wrath of “the day of the Lord”.

But that's not all...He didn't remain dead. Another fact that would have been rumbling through the city of Jerusalem.

The Resurrection

God raised Jesus from the dead. In fact, death could not hold him. He is the author of life.

The Christian religion is the only religion whose founder is still living or at least will never die. We have a living hope.

3)David Prophesies Resurrection (Acts 2:25-28)

And in order to point out that this is not some fictitious view of some fanatics, Peter points out the prophetic writings from David regarding the resurrection.

David could not have been talking about himself since his tomb is not empty. He died and everyone there knew it and Peter was confident of the fact as well as of the fact that they were confident of the fact.

4)David Prophesies Jesus Ascension/Exaltation (Acts 2:29-35)

Just a few points from David's prophesy and Peter's words:

David had a promise from God that his descendant would sit on the throne. But anyone who has studied the OT would know that his descendants went down hill over time and became as wicked as the nations around Israel.

This was not a failing on God's part but the natural consequences of a people who turn away from the living God.

The same is true for God's promise through Israel. They never lived up to God's requirements of them. They were to be a light to the nations. They were God's chosen people to carry out God's blessing to the nations.

But in each of these cases, God was not unfaithful to his promise. He in fact brought both of these promises to fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

He is the fulfillment of the expectations of Israel. He perfectly shine the light to the nations.

He also fulfilled the promise to David. His human descent is from the lineage of David. And his throne is the ultimate throne. His ascension to the right hand of the Father.

David calls this one to come, Lord. He acknowledges Messiah's divinity. That the enemies of God would be put under Jesus' feet and ultimately be banished from the kingdom.

This will be accomplished once and for all when Jesus returns. The “day of the Lord” will come.

5)Decision Time (Acts 2:36-41)

Peter's presentation of the evidence of Jesus life through the Gospel and several prophesies is compelling. But now he takes it to its conclusion.

He calls the people to the reality that the Hope of Israel is in fact the One they had crucified. He is, both by definition and declaration, Lord and Christ.

Verse 37 says they were cut to the heart. They realized this was true. And this was not just an acknowledgment of a mistake they had made, but it was genuine conviction by the Holy Spirit. They understood the implications of their responsibility for his death. But they didn't stay at this point.

They were compelled to ask what they could do.

Repentance & Baptism For Forgiveness

The only thing they could do was acknowledge their sin, to repent and turn to God. To effectively call on the Lord.

[Doctrinal Insert Here]

A truly repentant person recognizes that he has nothing in him that can make him right with a holy God. A right view of sin realizes that sin cannot be compensated for nor can it be paid off – it has to be paid for. And man has nothing he can pay for his own sin, God must pay. Jesus has paid.

This passage is not attempting to give a formula for baptism, but rather an identification with Christ. The Holy Spirit baptizes a person, but a person is commanded to be baptized as an outward sign of an inward reality.

It was to show a change in loyalty and a change of ownership.

Notice Peter's concern for the lost here. He pleads with them to “Save themselves from this corrupt (crooked) generation.”

He isn't concerned with the size of their group only with the condition of the souls of the people. He desired that they experience the life that he had – one that is only found through Jesus.

Believe, Receive, Be Baptized

The ones who believe, received his word, repented, and were baptized and there were about 3000 new believers.

The Spirit granted faith to believe, conviction of sin, and a repentant heart.

Note: these new believers were now going to return to their own land (many of them at least) and spread the Gospel message. The Holy Spirit brought this about and it is a direct fulfillment of what Jesus commanded the disciples (apostles) to do. Who gets the glory for making this happen? Certainly not man!

6)Principle

The Holy Spirit gives clarity, conviction, and conversion through the Gospel message.

7)Illustration

8)Applications

When was the last time you asked God for boldness to speak His truth in love?

When was the last time you cared enough about an enemy of the Gospel to share the Gospel with him?

What fears do you have, of speaking up for Christ, that need to be brought to the Father?

An Unwavering Commitment (Acts 2:42-47)

1)Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread, and Prayer (Acts 2:42)

Devoted: Consecrated to a purpose, set apart...

The text tells us several things these believers were devoted to.

The Scriptures

The apostles' teachings or Scripture itself. Remember, the Scriptures were not complete at this time. But God had endowed the apostles as ambassador’s of Christ. They spoke with the authority of the King.

That doesn't mean that everything they said was canonized, but it does mean that they were especially gifted by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the truths of Scripture. God uniquely equipped them for a time to enable them to teach the church the truths of God.

Fellowship

The believers were devoted to one another. They desired to be with one another and enjoyed the fellowship they had in the common bond the Holy Spirit brought.

This did not mean that everyone thought alike, but they all had mutual love for one another which God poured out into them. This was not natural in a humanistic sense, but was a Divine endowment by the Holy Spirit.

And we see that in the context of this text, there was genuine concern for the other believers. Nobody thought that what they owned was their own possession – at least not when they saw a brother who had a need.

The Lord's Supper or Meals Together

This breaking of bread together may have several underlying meanings. It may be the celebration of the Lord's Supper. For Jesus told his disciples to do it often and as often as they do it, to remember His death until he returns.

It also may mean that they shared meals together. In the Middle East, it is very intimate to have a mean with someone. To share a table and break bread together was something that drew people together.

2)Principle

A commitment to Christ results in a commitment to His purpose through His church.

3)Illustration

4)Applications

What does your commitment to Christ's church say about your commitment to Christ?

How has God used you lately to add to the number in His Church?

What brother do you know who could use your friendship, fellowship, or even your financial help?

Preparing the Church (Acts 1)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Empowered Workers (Acts 1:1-11)

1)Introduction to the Sequel (Acts 1:1-2)

Jesus gave commands (verse 2), through the Holy Spirit

Jesus chose the apostles (verse 2)

2)Forty Days (Acts 1:3)

3)Wait (Acts 1:4-5)

4)What About The Kingdom (Acts 1:6-8)

Wrong Kingdom View

Witnesses

5)Jesus' Ascension (Acts 1:9-11)

6)Principle

God always offers the ability to do any job He commands of you.

7)Illustration

8)Applications

How often do you take God up on His offer to provide the ability to do?

What are you refusing to do because you think you can't do it?

Active Waiters (Acts 1:12-26)

1)They Obeyed (Acts 1:12-13)

2)They Prayed (Acts 1:14)

The Church is Necessary

3)They Prepared (Selected Laborers) (Acts 1:15-26)

Identifying the Need

Basing Understanding Upon Scripture

Identifying Qualifications

Identify Candidates

Praying

Leaving the Choice to God

4)Wrap Up

5)Principle

Prayer is essential when waiting on God and seeking wisdom for next steps.

6)Illustration

7)Applications

How often are you taking advantage of your privilege to pray? How about with other believers?

How do you use your time when God tells you to wait?

Are you more apt to admire a Christian leader's natural abilities and personality or humility and dependence on God and His word?

Introduction

In Discipleship Journal editor Susan Maycinik writes:

The line between obedience and performance can be a blurry one. Yet it is an important distinction to grasp, because obedience leads to life, and performance to death...

Obedience is seeking God with your whole heart. Performance is having a quiet time because you'll feel guilty if you don't.

Obedience is finding ways to let the Word of God dwell in your richly. Performance is quickly scanning a passage so you can check it off your Bible reading plan.

Obedience is inviting guests to your home for dinner. Performance is feeling anxious about whether every detail of the meal will be perfect.

Obedience is following God's prompting to start a small group. Performance is reluctance to let anyone else lead the group because they might not do it as well as you would.

Obedience is doing your best. Performance is wanting to be best.

Obedience is saying yes to whatever God asks of you. Performance is saying yes to whatever people ask of you.

Obedience is following the promptings of God's Spirit. Performance is following a list of man-made requirements.

Obedience springs from fear of God. Performance springs from fear of failure.¹

Empowered Workers (Acts 1:1-11)

1)Introduction to the Sequel (Acts 1:1-2)

Note: the name Theophilus means “Lover of God” or “One loved by God” (Theo, Phileo)

Luke gives a very concise summary of the whole book in the first couple of verses and then spends the rest of the book recording the details of how summary is realized.

The book of Luke was just the beginning of Jesus' acts and teachings (This contradicts those who claim to be red-letter Christians) “...what Jesus began to do and teach”.

The implication of what Luke is saying is that Jesus' work and teachings were going to continue on after his ascension, but they were going to take on another form – that of a work through his apostles and other disciples.

Jesus gave commands (verse 2), through the Holy Spirit...

The ability for the commands to be received and understood by Jesus apostles was a work of the Holy Spirit. He illuminates the mind and heart to receive God's truth.

The antithesis of this were things that Jesus told the disciples earlier that were received merely by human minds. Often they didn't even understand and sometimes had the audacity to try and correct Jesus.

So the ability for man to receive and assimilate what God has to say is a work of God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus chose the apostles (verse 2)

The last part of verse 2 points out the the apostles were the primary recipients of the commands Jesus gave.

They were the 12, now 11, that followed him for 3 years. And they were his chosen ambassadors to the world.

A disciple is one who sits under the teaching and obeys what is taught – conforming to the life of learning under the master.

But when a king would send out a representative, an apostle, he bore the authority of the king. What he spoke was taken as the word of the king.

And so we see these elements in the first two verses:

• Jesus work has only begun

• Jesus teaching will continue

• Jesus gave commands that were to be followed

• The understanding (and as we will see, the empowerment) of these commands comes by the work of the Holy Spirit

• The apostles are Jesus' chosen instruments to continue his work

2)Forty Days (Acts 1:3)

You might wonder why Jesus spent 40 days showing himself to various people and not just ascending into heaven after a couple. And you may have wondered, not just because you were asked that question in our study this week.

You may have identified a number of significant forties in the Old and New Testament, there are lots of them:

• It rained for 40 days and 40 nights in Noah's day

• The spies of Israel spent 40 days exploring the promised land

• The Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness

• Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and being tempted

But we're not going to look at any of this. The only thing I would like us to consider is a couple of items regarding the length of time and its significance to the apostles.

1. They needed the affirmation that what they witnessed was in fact true (ever experience something and then wonder if you weren't actually dreaming)

2. They needed the time to absorb Jesus' teaching from the Prophets that pointed to his fulfillment – suffering, kingdom, etc.

3. They needed the assurance that even when they didn't see him, he saw them and was near them (example of the time some doubted)

4. Other things...

The time that he spent with them helped to bolster their faith in him. He proved to them that he was not just a vision or a spirit but that he was in fact flesh and bone.

3)Wait (Acts 1:4-5)

Don't you hate to wait? It is not one of my strong suits.

In the army, there was always an urgency everywhere we went. But it always included a long line and a long wait. Thus the saying, “Hurry up and wait”.

But Jesus' point here is this, nothing I have told you to do or am about to tell you to do is possible in your current condition.

What was their current condition? These were men of faith. They had put all their trust and hope in Jesus. They were full-fledged believers.

But they lacked the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to empower them for the work Jesus had for them.

Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

The Holy Spirit was the one Jesus had promise numerous times. The Spirit of Truth who would lead them into all truth. The Comforter, that would bring them peace and joy in difficulty.

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

When Jesus promised that he would never leave them and never forsake them, he was referring to the fact that he would indwell them in the person of the Holy Spirit.

And so they were to wait for an enabling that only comes by God's power through the Holy Spirit.

Other passages you might want to jot down are:

• John 14:15-17

• John 15:26-27

• John 16:12-15

4)What About The Kingdom (Acts 1:6-8)

You might have wondered why the question about the kingdom of Israel comes up in the conversation.

Well, every Jew of their day was awaiting the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, God's promise to David that through his lineage there would be one to sit on his throne and reign forever.

In fact, Jesus' own statements throughout his earthly ministry talked about the Kingdom of God being at hand. Being near. Being here.

Wrong Kingdom View

Every Jew was hoping for an end of the Roman occupation or before that, the Greeks, or before that, whatever other dominant nation there was. But the bottom line is, most took the OT prophecies as a literal time when God would supplant those in power over Israel and place Messiah on the throne.

But they seemed to have missed the spiritual nature of the kingdom. Certainly the religious leaders missed it.

They argued with John about the need for baptism. They were used to circumcising and baptizing proselytes to Judaism. Since they were descendants from Abraham, what did they need baptism for.

But John argued that they needed both a baptism of repentance, acknowledging their sin, as well as a baptism by the Holy Spirit that only Messiah could bring.

Messiah, Jesus, opened the gates to the kingdom. He is now enthroned at the right hand of God the Father. And one day he will return in the consummation of his kingdom.

And thus the interesting response to the apostles. He was not skirting the question, but he was providing the scope of the kingdom's domain:

Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the ends of the earth. In other words, this is not a national kingdom, but it encompasses all people groups regardless of their ethnicity.

And you and I are proof of that fact. If you in fact belong to Christ, then he is your king, and you are part of his kingdom and will enjoy the benefits of his eternal kingdom when he returns.

Witnesses

So, instead of being part of an earthly monarchy, these apostles were part of a much grander and infinitely superior monarchy. One to which they were called to go out and conquer. The conquest was not with swords and spears, but with the evidences of who the King is and what he has done to establish his kingdom.

Their only ability to accomplish the command from their king is by the power of the Holy Spirit. You see, all the compelling words in the world, true as they may be, are nothing if not empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In fact, any work that you and I do for God, if not done in the power of the Holy Spirit is effectively a waste of our time. It certainly is not pleasing to God. He can get anything He wants done, using whatever person He chooses, but as a believer, we must recognize that we steal God's glory when we do His work in our own strength.

The gospel message has power, not because of the messenger, but because of the work of the Spirit upon the hearer.

We must obediently witness by spreading the gospel, the whole gospel. And that done in the strength that only God can give. But the results belong to God alone.

5)Jesus' Ascension (Acts 1:9-11)

These apostles have been through a pretty turbulent month and a half. Everything leading up to and including Jesus' arrest, trial, execution – that was grueling and emotionally draining. What a great disappointment.

Then the elation and disbelief at his resurrection. And having him teach and explain things that were only previously shadows in the Old Testament. Now things were beginning to come clear. Now he would be with us forever, right? Well not in the same way.

So as they see him lifted out of their sight, perhaps a sinking feeling came over them. He has given us things to do, but who are we going to ask when we have a question? Who is going to correct our thinking when we get it wrong? How are we going to know when we are doing things right?

But certainly, this was not unexpected. Jesus' had told them he had to go to the Father before sending the Comforter. He had to go and prepare a place for them, but he would return.

Yet, I would have craned my neck as well.

6)Principle

God always offers the ability to do any job He commands of you.

7)Illustration

8)Applications

How often do you take God up on His offer to provide the ability to do?

What are you refusing to do because you think you can't do it?

Even though it may be true, you can't do it, if it is of God, then He is responsible to equip you. He doesn't need our abilities.

Active Waiters (Acts 1:12-26)

We often think of waiting as an idle activity. But it should not be for a believer, at least when he is waiting on God. There is plenty that can and should be done during those times of waiting.

1)They Obeyed (Acts 1:12-13)

The first thing this group did was obey Jesus command to wait in Jerusalem. They returned to the upper room where they were staying.

It names the 11 apostles, as Judas Iscariot was no longer alive.

2)They Prayed (Acts 1:14)

Verse 14 tells us that they joined together, they were unified, with one accord, in prayer with other believers:

• the women – we know that Jesus had many women disciples

• Mary, Jesus' mother

• Jesus' brothers

Just a note on some of these individuals that now comprise the first church.

Before Jesus' resurrection, his brothers didn't even believe in him. It was not until after the resurrection, when he appeared to them, that they believed. James even went on to write the book of James.

Mary's mother, who bore him and cared for him and then witnessed his death and resurrection, is now coming to him in prayer. She had the same needs as any other human being, the need of a Savior, and she needed to submit to his authority in her life.

But all these spent lots of time, devoting themselves to prayer.

These disciples have come a long ways since the garden of Gethsemane. Remember Peter's bold statement regarding standing with Christ. And then Jesus telling them to watch and pray because the spirit was willing but the body was weak.

I think they had learned a great deal about their own weaknesses.

I wonder if some of us do so little praying because we don't realize how very weak we really are?

The Church is Necessary

I have known some individual who felt their faith was deeply personal. And it is not wrong to have a great personal prayer time, in fact, it is essential to a good Christian walk.

But I've also heard people say that they don't need to be a part of a Christian fellowship, a local church. That type of attitude is completely un-Biblical. Throughout the NT we are told to continue gathering with other believers. We need to be held accountable. We need others to help guide the blind spots we have. And certainly we are not using the gifts God has given to edify the body of Christ if we are not actively involved in a local church.

Our group here tonight has no intention of being a substitute for membership in a church. You and I need that accountability, the teaching, the refining, the exercise of our gifts, etc. And we need to be joining together with other believers in prayer – unified in prayer for the work God has set before us.

A church can't make a person right with God. But it's hard to conceive of a person remaining right with God when he has no part in a church.

A coal, taken from a blazing fire, will soon fade and lose its heat. The same is true for a believer who chooses to go the Christian life alone.

3)They Prepared (Selected Laborers) (Acts 1:15-26)

Identifying the Need

There were 120 in the group, and yet Peter felt compelled to bring up the need for another apostle.

Certainly he didn't believe that Jesus chose 12 for nothing or arbitrarily. So he recognized the significance of 12, even though I might not or don't have time to go into it.

He must also have recognized the calling upon the apostles as being a large task. In wisdom, Peter seems to have been perusing the Scriptures, looking at Messianic prophecy in the Psalms.

And he saw the significance of what was fulfilled, even in the evil actions of Judas the traitor.

Basing Understanding Upon Scripture

And he comes across two Psalms of David. Although the Psalms may have had immediate significance in the life of David, his Psalms often had prophetic undertones and meanings.

David certainly was not a vindictive person, as noted by his treatment of Saul and others who wrongfully treated him. He was a man of forgiveness.

But it seems as though these Psalms have a bit different tone. As if he is taking up the offense for God's anointed, Messiah.

Identifying Qualifications

Peter speaks of the qualification in terms of their (the other 11) own qualifications: tenure of following Jesus, been around from the beginning when the forerunner came (John), all the way until he was taken up to heaven.

So he had to have been a consistent follower and one who was a witness to all the events that had transpired, including the resurrection.

Identify Candidates

They identified two men who met those qualifications and their names were put out. They were nominated.

Praying

And then they acknowledged that God needed to make the choice, so they brought the issue to him in prayer. They mention that both seemed to meet the qualifications from what they could see, but they needed God to determine based upon what He could see.

It would have been easy to skip this step and just cast lots. But this group realized that they were unable to make a right decision without Divine wisdom and direction.

Leaving the Choice to God

Then they cast lots. This was a common practice, leaving what appeared to be chance up to the sovereign choice of God.

4)Wrap Up

So why did Jesus leave these apostles 10 days before they would receive the Holy Spirit? The Scripture doesn't tell us.

But the time was not a waste. It was a time to reflect on their own inadequacy and turn in total dependence on God through prayer.

This was a time of testing. And as James tells us, trials test our faith and they develop steadfastness (or perseverance).

I believe Jesus left them simple instructions to follow, wait until you are empowered. But he had also given them 3 years of instruction in total dependence upon the Father. In how to pray to the Father. And how to rely upon God rather than on their own understanding.

5)Principle

Prayer is essential when waiting on God and seeking wisdom for next steps.

7)Applications

How often are you taking advantage of your privilege to pray? How about with other believers?

How do you use your time when God tells you to wait?

Are you more apt to admire a Christian leader's natural abilities and personality or humility and dependence on God and His word?

1Larson, Craig Brian, “Choice Contemporary Stories & Illustrations”, page 182

Introductions

Preamble

The notes that follow are my written notes for my past lecture. However, these notes deviate from the content of my lecture due to the fact that my lecture deviated from the content of my notes. In fact, there is a direct correlation between the deviation from my notes in the lecture and the deviation from my lecture in the notes due. If this paragraph seem as though it is a ramble and make little sense, that is due, in part, to its rambling nature and weak attempt at subtle humor.

Introduction

When electronic equipment, e.g., radios, televisions, etc., needs calibration, it is very important that the calibration equipment has been calibrated to a very stable source otherwise the equipment being calibrated will not be able to accurately perform its set purpose.

When I was in the army, my job was field radio repair. Periodically the signal generators, frequency analyzers, and other repair equipment, had to be sent in to be adjusted. The soldiers I worked for expected their radios to tune to the right frequencies. They relied upon the diligence of those fixing their systems and we relied upon the accuracy of the equipment used for repair.

People are a lot like field radios. We quickly get out of tune. We need to be re-synchronized in order to continue on the right path in life. The problem is, there are many sources out there that claim to have an accurate view of what God is like and yet they derive their views of God from unreliable sources. They, themselves, are in need of calibration.

Consider, if you will, what the general view of man might be in regard to the nature of God:

• I want a God that is very much like me
• one that thinks I am okay and wishes more people were like me
• he understands my failings and just wants me to try harder
• his standard of righteousness is very close to my conception of "good deeds"
• his main purpose is to ensure that I have an enjoyable life here on earth -- just be happy

If you haven't felt that way before, then you are a better person than I am. But you get the idea, my fallen and broken existence wants to make God in my own image when in reality, I am made in the image of God. But I can't know this without God's revelation to me. I must gain an understanding of God based solely on His revelation of himself through nature and through His single special revelation, the Holy Bible. Only when I return, over and over, to the source for calibration, will I be able to ensure my course in life is going in the direction that I was designed for.

The Holy Bible

1)What It Is

It is a book. It is a book of books. 66 books to be exact.

39 in the Old Testament.

27 in the New Testament.

Four attributes of Scripture (the Bible):

• inspiration -- God breathed through human writers
• inerrant -- Gods word was accurately recorded by the human authors and without error in the original form
• authoritative -- as coming from God who is the ultimate authority, his words have authority for all time as if they were coming freshly from the mouth of God
• sufficient -- the Scriptures are completed, there is no need of any new revelation from God apart from his written word

2)Where It Came From

It is the Word of God, it doesn't become the word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

God did not dictate to men and they wrote down the text. But, the text in its original form, is in fact inerrant.

2 Peter 1:

20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

And the message that the Bible conveys is the message that God intends to convey. We must discover what the text is saying.

3)What It Reveals

Why do we read books? In order to increase our understanding.

Even if you were forced to read something in school that you didn't want to read, you may have read it anyway in order to pass the class.

Our expectation, when we read something, is that we will gain an understanding of what the author is trying to reveal.

The same is true with the Bible. Contrary to some popular opinion, it is not filled with codes, riddles, and esoteric sayings that are inaccessible to common folk like you and me.

But the Bible is literature, and as such, we need to understand a little bit about the author, the setting, the audience (immediate and otherwise) and then we are able to see the underlying principles that apply to our own lives.

What It Reveals About God

The most important aspect of the Bible is what it reveals about the nature and character of God.

Without this Book, we would have a very limited understanding of who God is.

But Scripture reveals to us His: perfection, moral purity, love, justice, unchanging nature, infinite wisdom.

From the Bible we see that He is patient, merciful, and full of grace. But His patience will not last forever.

Because of His perfect justice, no infraction will ever go unpunished. He cannot overlook evil by turning a blind eye – that would not be justice.

What It Reveals About Man

The Bible shows us that the deepest need of every man is to relate to his Creator – He has made us this way.

Augustine put it this way, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
But as the Bible reveals, we are unable to find our rest in the Lord apart from a work of God himself.

The Scripture reveals to us our broken state – that we are dead in trespasses and sins.

That we are enemies of God. That we are aliens and strangers with no part in the people of God. Not in our natural state.

Not unless God does something to awaken our senses, reveal our lost condition, and bring us to a place of sorrow and repentance.

What It Reveals To Christians

Who we are. How to live. God's will for us. God's plan for our future.

It reveals God's standard of righteousness and it leads Christians in the path of righteousness.

4)It Must Be Studied

The Bible is called the Holy Bible because its ultimate Author is Holy.

It reveals to man how he can be holy.

Hebrews 4

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The Scripture reveals to us where we fall short of God's expectation. But it doesn't leave us there. It reveals God's provision for our shortcomings.

Isaiah 55

10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

5)Principle

It's impossible to do God's will without being in His word.

6)Illustration

Have you ever wanted to see a movie, but instead settled for your friend's explanation of the plot and a blow by blow account from the opening scene to the end? That would be ludicrous.

Have you ever wanted to learn a new language but didn't want to expend the effort so you had to rely on someone else to interpret for you? Never really being certain their interpretation was correct.

Why then, would you want to go through life gaining only hearsay understanding of what the Bible teaches. Periodically listening in on conversations about sacred Scripture, but never really “owning” the text for yourself?

7)Applications

What are you willing to give up this year in order to get deeper into the Bible?

A little less football. A little less television. What if you gave God first pick of your time?

What are you willing to take on this year in order to get the Bible more deeply into you?

How seriously are you willing to take the personal questions – the ones that ask you to apply God's word?

Acts of the Apostles

1)The Author and Audience

Luke – medical doctor.

He was most likely an educated Gentile – the level of Greek used in Luke and Acts are very technical.

Acts 1:1-2

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,
2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

Luke 1:1-4

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us,
2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us,
3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

2)The Date

It is believed that the book dates to before A. D. 64 due to the fact that the book ends with Paul in Rome. Paul describes his treatment in positive terms.

It was in A. D. 64 that Nero set fire to Rome and blamed it on the Christians.

Paul's death took place around A. D. 68.

3)The Book

As noted above, this book is a continuation of Luke's account of the events of Jesus' life.

In fact, this book could be called Luke 2 or Second Luke.

Note as well, that in the book of Luke he starts out by telling Theophilus that his account is a detailed compilation of what others had been eyewitnesses to. The things that “have been accomplished among us”.

And as if that wasn't enough, the first verse of Acts 1 seems to be saying that what Jesus did on earth was only the beginning of his work.

It was what “Jesus began to do and teach”.

And so the name Acts or Acts of the Apostles is really the Acts of the Apostles Empowered by Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

4)The Work of the Holy Spirit

Indwelling/Empowering His People

If there is a common theme throughout Acts it is this, those who hear and receive the gospel message by faith, receive the Holy Spirit to indwell them.

This phenomenon began at Pentecost with the disciples in an upper room.

It continued with those who heard Peter's message and repented.

It went on to Samaria and to the Gentile nations as the gospel spread.

In fact, the Holy Spirit is the one that convicts the hearer of his need of salvation. He is the one that quickens the heart and brings salvation.

The Holy Spirit turned ordinary common folks into people who “turned the world upside down”.

From fearful men and women hiding out into bold professors of truth, willing to risk their lives for what they new to be true.

The Holy Spirit filled Steven to the point that while he was being stoned, he asked that the sin not be held against them.

The Spread of the Gospel

Jesus had told his disciples that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Little did they know how that would take place. But as the church began to grow in Jerusalem, God used an unlikely means to cause the gospel to go out.

Isn't it comfortable when everything seems to be going well? The church is growing. Things seem to be happening. There is fellowship, good teaching, and true worship. Sometimes it gets so comfortable, we don't want anything to change, after all, why should it? Isn't this the way Christianity is suppose to be?

But God used persecution, starting with Stephen, to drive most of the believers out of the Jerusalem church, into the Gentile world.

This was His means of Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts.

And then, if things were not strange enough, he uses the arch-enemy of the believers as God's instrument to the Gentiles – Saul/Paul.

In Dealing With Controversy

In the early days, when the Scriptures were still being written by the Apostles, no doubt there would be questions about life and how this Christian life was to be lived out.

Specifically, we will study the issue of conforming to Old Covenant laws as it relates to Gentile believers.

We will see that there were questions that needed to be answered. Hebrews deals with many of these issues as it points to the superiority of Christ in all things relating to Old Covenant “types and shadows”.

Paul deals with this as well in his letter to the Galatians pointing to the fact that if one relies on their conformance to the law for salvation, they are denying the sufficiency of Jesus' work of atonement on the cross.

We will see that a dispute between Paul and Barnabas regarding John Mark actually leads to a doubled effort in missionary work.

5)The Actors

There are two prominent characters in the book of Acts: Peter (chs. 1-12) and Paul (chs. 13-28)

Peter and John

In the first several chapters of Acts, we are going to see two of Jesus' closest disciples, Peter and John.

The first sermon out of Peter's mouth resulted in 3000 being added to the Jerusalem church.

Later, Peter and John are brought before the Sanhedrin and questions about their teaching – they are told not to preach in the name of Jesus (they had headed a man born crippled).

Peter is the first to go to a Gentile, Cornelius, and preach the gospel. It is at this time that Peter realizes, through a vision from God, that salvation is not exclusive to Jews or Proselytes, but to all God's people, regardless of their ethnicity.

Stephen

Stephen, a deacon in the Jerusalem church, is falsely accused of blasphemy. In answer to his accusers, he points out the stiff-necked nature of many of Abraham's descendants and accused the Sanhedrin of the same sin. He was stoned and a great persecution began.

Saul

The persecution that ensued had a great spokesman in Saul.

The persecution also caused the dispersion of most of the believers in Jerusalem, thus spreading the Gospel message out into parts of Asia Minor.

Philip

Philip left Jerusalem and began spreading the gospel in Samaria

Paul

The Apostle to the Gentiles. Wrote most of the epistles of the New Testament.

3 missionary journeys.

Would always try to speak to Jews first and then to Gentiles.

Responsible for planting numerous churches in Asia Minor and in Greece.

Multiple beatings, stonings, and other persecutions.

Arrested and eventually brought to Rome to stand trial before Ceasar.

6)The 21^st Century Acts

Here in the 21^st century, we have much to be thankful for.

For one thing, we should be thankful for the preservation of the written word of God, and namely, the book of Acts that we will be studying this year.

The events and work that took place in the first century are having any impact even today. The struggles they endured served to lay the foundation for the message you and I have in our day.

The gospel message, the power of the Holy Spirit, the effectiveness of God's word...none of these things have changed.

I wonder what Acts God has in store for the 21^st century church? What would happen to our world if a few men from Kansas City began living in the power of the Spirit? Heeding the Word of God? And living as if this life really mattered?

7)Principle

Acts, empowered by the Holy Spirit, have impact now and relevance for the future.

8)Illustration:

9)Applications:

How are you benefiting from the actions of godly men and women in your past?

When was the last time you thanked the Lord for the preservation of His word?

What percentage of what you do for God is actually empowered by Him?

Conclusion

We stand at an unprecedented place in history. At least we do in regard to availability of information and Biblical resources.

But the availability of something never guarantees that it is put to good use.

Will you commit with me this year, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to put the study of Acts to good use? To ask God to open your eyes, clear your mind, and soften your heart to the things we study?

That's my prayer for all of us.