These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- Birth of the church: Acts 1:1-14
- End of Judas…
- Jesus had ASCENDED up the heaven – the DISCIPLES were on their own…
- They had been given clear INSTRUCTIONS – they were to WAIT…
- But one of the hardest things to do in life – is NOTHING…
- Therefore – Peter stood up to address the problem of the TWELFTH apostle…
- Judas had betrayed Jesus – unrepentant he took his own life…
- And with his REWARD [thirty shekels] – bought a piece of land in the Hinnom valley [γέεννα]!
- Twelfth Apostle
- Looking to the Word – Peter saw this Judas had abandoned his position – Psalm 69:25
- But that God intended someone else to take his place – Psalm 109:8
- He put forth TWO qualifications – the replacement must be like the other ELEVEN…
- And they had to have been with Jesus from His baptism – until His ascension…
- TWO men were chosen by the DISCIPLES – Justus and Mathias…
- But since God did NOT answer – they cast LOTS – and Mathias was numbered with ELEVEN…
- Was he the TWELFTH – maybe – but GOD did chose another – Galatians 1:1
- End of Judas…
- 1st – Pentecost… vs. 1-3
- 1st – Feasts of Israel… vs. 1
- Fifty days…
- When the Day of Pentecost had fully come!
- TEN days after the Ascension of Jesus Christ – Acts 1:9
- FIFTY days after His resurrection from the DEAD…
- In [ἐν] the fullness [συμπληρόω] – like the counting down of a CLOCK…
- Came THE day [τὴν ἡμέραν] of PENTECOST – from the Greek word FIFTY [πέντε]!
- Later Rain…
- God commanded Israel to hold SEVEN major feasts ever year – Leviticus 23
- The first FOUR feast are called the LATER rain feasts [take place in spring]
- Feast of Passover [death of Jesus] – took place on the 14th day of Nissan – Leviticus 23:5
- Feast of Unleavened Bread [no more sin] – started on the 15th day – Leviticus 23:6
- Feast of First Fruits – [resurrection] was the FIRST Sunday after Passover – Leviticus 23:11
- Feast of Weeks – was FIFTY days after First Fruits – Leviticus 23:15
- We celebrate certain holidays every year – and look forward to them…
- Time off from work – a chance to spend time with family…
- But those holidays also have meaning – perhaps remembering a national hero or event!
- The feasts of Israel looked BACK to remember specific events in Jewish HISTORY…
- But they also looked FORWARD to key EVENTS in the prophetic plan of God for the world…
- These first FOUR feasts were ALL fulfilled in the FIRST coming of Jesus…
- The last THREE feasts will be fulfilled in His SECOND coming!
- The Law…
- Feast of WEEKS – the word WEEKS [שִׁבְעִים] – means SEVENS in Hebrew…
- Because SEVEN weeks [forty nine days] after Israel left Egypt…
- They arrived at Mount SINAI – where God gave Moses the Law – Exodus 19:1
- To this day the Jews celebrate Pentecost as the giving of the LAW…
- This will become important when we see how many were SAVED on Pentecost [3000]
- Because Pentecost was also a celebration of the HARVEST [the WHEAT harvest]!
- Leaven…
- Leviticus 23:17 – “Bring from your [house] two loaves… they shall be baked with leaven. They are the first fruits to the LORD.”
- Feast of Weeks is unique – it is the only FEAST to include LEAVEN…
- Recall that LEAVEN in the Bible is a picture of SIN – I Corinthians 5:6-8
- Yet here we are told the FEAST requires TWO loaves that MUST contain LEAVEN…
- Because on the FEAST of PENTECOST – God took TWO groups of SINNERS [Jews and Gentiles]
- And made them the FIRST Fruits of the HARVEST – He created the CHURCH!
- Ephesians 2:14 – “[He] has made both one and broke down the middle wall of separation.”
- Traditionally the Book of RUTH is read on Pentecost – the story of Boaz and Ruth…
- The reason for RUTH being read – the story takes place during the wheat HARVEST…
- But more importantly it is the story of a Jew [Boaz] REDEEMING a Gentile [Ruth]!
- Pentecost was fulfilled in the birth of the Church – Jesus REDEEMING His gentile bride…
- The feast included TWO loaves of leavened bread – representing Jews and Gentiles…
- Because when Jesus REDEEMED the church – He saved BOTH…
- Celebrating the true HARVEST – the work of reaching the world with the Gospel!
- 2nd – One Accord… vs. 1
- They were all with one accord in one place!
- On Pentecost – ALL [πᾶς] of the DISCIPLES were [imperfect] continually in ONE accord…
- ONE accord [ὁμοθυμαδόν] – 12x in NT – we first saw this word back in – Acts 1:14
- Describing a great orchestra with many instruments – different sounds…
- But as they follow one CONDUCTOR – then they blend together in beautiful harmony…
- Because the DISCIPLES had been in the upper room PRAYING to the Lord…
- Now we the DISCIPLES were all in one PLACE in HARMONY – ready for God to use them!
- Sadly the church is NOT known today for its UNITY…
- We are known for our DENOMINATIONS – our differences…
- And then we wonder why the church is so ineffective for the Lord!
- When believers are [continually] PRAYING to the Lord – and WAITING on the Lord…
- We will find that any differences we have seem to melt away…
- Because what we have in common is more important than what separates us!
- John 13:35 – “By this all will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
- 3rd – Holy Spirit… vs. 2-3
- Rushing wind… vs. 2
- Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind.
- It filled the whole house where they were sitting!
- AND [καί] – without any WARNING – it happened SUDDENLY [ἄφνω]
- There came a SOUND [ἦχος] – an ECHO from Heaven…
- It sounded like a powerful WIND blowing into the room…
- The word SPIRT [πνεῦμα] in the Bible comes from the root word for WIND [πνοή]
- The breath of God – the Spirit of the Lord – had arrived just as Jesus promised!
- John 14:6 – “The Father… will give you another Helper [παράκλητος].”
- Fire… vs. 3
- Then there appeared to them divided tongues – as of fire – and one sat upon each of them!
- Once the Spirit was in the room – TONGUES appeared over each DISCIPLE…
- We are told TWO things about these TONGUES…
- FIRST – they were DIVIDED – it might better be said they spread throughout the room…
- SECOND – they appeared [ὡσεί] to be on FIRE – the promised Baptism of the Spirit!
- Matthew 3:11– “Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
- When Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord – he said I am doomed…
- He knew he was NOT worthy to be used by God – he knew he was a SINNER…
- An angel came with a coal and touched his LIPS – purifying him – taking away his SIN!
- Isaiah 6:8 – “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send – and who will go for Us? Then Isaiah said: Here am I! Send me.”
- Many times we are shy to share to stand up for God – because we do NOT feel worthy…
- We know we are SINNERS – so who are we to tell others about Jesus…
- But the Lord sends His Spirit like a FIRE – to purify our lips – give us boldness to speak!
- 1st – Feasts of Israel… vs. 1
- 2nd – Filled with the Sprit… vs. 4-13
- 1st – Gifts of the Spirit… vs. 4
- Three fold ministry…
- They were all filled with the Holy Spirit!
- AND [καί] – connecting the PRAYER and WAITING – to the COMING and FILLING…
- Then ALL [πᾶς] 120 DISCIPLES in the UPPER room were [aorist] FILLED [passive]
- Recall – there are THREE prepositions that are used to define the WORK of the SPIRIT…
- PARA [παρά] – the Spirit comes ALONGSIDE and convicts the world of their SIN – John 16:8
- EN [ἐν] – the Spirit comes and lives INSIDE of the believer – I Corinthians 6:19
- EPI [ἐπί] – the Spirit comes UPON the believer to give them POWER – Acts 1:8
- When Peter was before the Sanhedrin – he was FILLED [aorist] with the Spirit – Acts 4:8
- When the church prayed after being persecuted – they were all FILLED [aorist] – Acts 4:31
- When Ananias prayed or Saul – he was FILLED [aorist] with the Spirit – Acts 9:17
- When Saul was renamed PAUL – he was FILLED [aorist] with the Spirit – Acts 13:9
- This THIRD aspect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is the often misunderstood…
- It can be called the BAPTISM of the Spirit – being FILLED with the Spirit…
- What it describes is something that happens AFTER salvation…
- It is a SINGLE [aorist] occurrence that happens when we NEED it…
- The Holy Spirit comes UPON [ἐπί] us empower us for the Work God wants to do through us…
- But we need to be constantly refilled – to stay on FIRE for Jesus…
- Not just ONCE – but over and over and over again for – daily asking for the Holy Spirit!
- Luke 11:13 -“Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.”
- What are the GIFTS…
- [They] began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance!
- AND [καί] – because they were FILLED [aorist] with the Spirit…
- The Spirit gave them the GIFT of TONGUES – I Corinthians 12:10
- They were able to speak in OTHER [ἕτερος] languages [γλῶσσα] they did NOT know!
- When we are FILLED with the Spirit – we are given GIFTS from the Spirit of God…
- There are at least 23 GIFTS listed throughout the New Testament…
- There are SEVEN motivational GIFTS [χάρισμα] – Romans 12:6-8
- There are NINE spiritual GIFTS [πνευματικός] – I Corinthians 12:8-10
- There are FIVE positional GIFTS [δόμα] – Ephesians 4:11
- There are TWO relational GIFTS [χάρισμα] singleness and marriage – I Corinthians 7:7
- I Peter 4:10 – “Each one has received a gift [χάρισμα].”
- Everyone who has been FILLED with the Spirit has at least one GIFT…
- But we are NOT defined by our gift – I am a prophet or I am a healer…
- It is the Holy Spirit who gives us ANY or ALL of the GIFTS as the NEED arises!
- Romans 12:6 – “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.”
- I Corinthians 12:11 – “The Spirit… distributes to each one individually as He wills.”
- What is our GIFT…
- Paul told Timothy to NOT neglect his GIFT [χάρισμα] – I Timothy 4:14
- It was a GIFT Timothy had gotten by PROPHECY – and having HANDS laid on him…
- PROPHECY – a word given through divine inspiration [not from man]
- LAYING on of hand by the ELDERS – we would say the pastors of the church…
- The idea being they recognized the GIFT – and confirmed it by laying hands on Timothy!
- If we are not sure of our GIFT – all we need to do is step out and try different things…
- If God has given us a desire to worship – get involved with the worship team…
- If God has given us a desire to teach – start teaching a Bible study…
- If it does NOT work – if there is NO fruit – it is likely NOT our gift…
- But when we are doing what God has called us to do – everyone will notice – it will be obvious!
- 2nd – Gift of Tongues… vs. 5-8
- Scattered… vs. 5
- There were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews – devout men – from every nation under heaven!
- There were [imperfect] a LOT of Jewish VISITORS staying [κατοικέω] in Jerusalem…
- The reason is THREE of the FEASTS were required [Passover – Pentecost – Rosh Hashanah]
- EVERY Jewish man over TWENTY – had to go to Jerusalem EVERY year – Exodus 23:14
- Therefore those who were DEVOUT [religious] would make sure to come…
- And during these FEASTS the population of Jerusalem would swell to over ONE million…
- They would come from EVERY [πᾶς] nation under heaven!
- 722 B.C. [because of sin] the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered – II Kings 17:18
- 586 B.C. – the southern Kingdom was taken captive to Babylon – II Chronicles 36:21
- After SEVENTY years a remnant returned to Israel [just FIFTY thousand] – Ezra 2:64
- The rest remained scattered [diaspora] throughout the nations!
- Prayer language… vs. 6
- When this sound occurred the multitude came together and were confused.
- Because everyone heard them speak in his own language!
- BUT [δέ] – when everyone heard the sound [the arrival of the Spirit]
- A crowd came to see what had happened [curious]
- And they were CONFUSED – because they heard them speaking in THEIR dialect [διάλεκτος]
- Usually when God gives the GIFT of tongues – it is used for PRAYER…
- In those times when our heart is heavy – but we lack the words to share…
- Our spirit is speaking directly to God – apart from the understanding of our mind!
- I Corinthians 14:14 – “If I pray in tongues – my spirit is praying but I do not understand what I am saying.” [NLT]
- Tongues is a wonderful gift to use personally – a way to pray – sing in the spirit…
- Not having to worry about finding the right words – just freely worshiping God!
- In Church…
- Unfortunately the GIFT of tongues is often MISUSED today…
- In a church only TWO or THREE people are to speak in tongues – I Corinthians 14:27
- Then there MUST be an interpreter – if there is NOT then they should stay SILENT!
- I Corinthians 14:23 – “If unbelievers… come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language they will think you are crazy.”
- If an unbeliever walks into a church where people are speaking in tongues all at once…
- All they see is chaos – they will likely think the people have gone mad…
- Even if what is being said is true – no one can understand them…
- Привет – как дела? Слава Богу! Иисус любит тебя!
- Better for churches to teach the Word of God – so that people can grow – Romans 10:17
- Because the Word has the ability to cut right to our heart – convict us of our sin…
- It can turn us away from the world – and convince us to follow Jesus!
- Evangelism… vs. 7-8
- Then they were all amazed and marveled saying to one another:
- Look are not all these who speak Galileans?
- And how is it that we hear each in our own language in which we were born?
- BUT [δέ] – they were [imperfect] ALL [πᾶς] continually amazed and marveled…
- Because LOOK [imperative] – the DISCIPLES were all from the Galilee…
- HOW then did each of them hear the DISCIPLES speak in their own DIALECT [διάλεκτος]
- Isaiah had prophesied this – speaking to unbelievers in ANOTHER tongue – Isaiah 28:11
- I Corinthians 14:22 – “Therefore tongues are for a sign… to unbelievers.”
- We often have teams from other countries who come to do ministry…
- Imagine if they showed up and all started talking about Jesus in perfect Ilonggo [διάλεκτος]
- It would grab a LOT of attention – people would be ready to hear about Jesus!
- What an amazing plan – God used Pentecost – to save Jews from all over the world…
- Each hearing the Good News in their own particular DIALECT!
- 3rd – Sovereign God… vs. 9-11
- Diverse locations… vs. 9-10
- Parthians and Medes and Elamites – those dwelling in Mesopotamia.
- Judea and Cappadocia – Pontus and Asia – Phrygia and Pamphylia!
- The MAJORITY of the VISITORS in Jerusalem came from the Middle East…
- We are given a list of TEN locations where they came from…
- Parthia – located in the northern part of modern day Iran…
- Medes – located in northern Iran – the ancestors of modern day Kurds…
- Elamites – located in southern Iran – Elam is the modern day province of Ilam…
- As – located in modern day Iraq and Syria…
- Judea – is a reference to modern day Israel…
- Cappadocia – is located in the central portion of modern day Turkey…
- Pontus – is located on the black sea – in the north east part of Turkey…
- Asia [minor] – was a Roman province located the south western part of Turkey…
- Pa – was located in the west-central part of Anatolia in central Turkey…
- Pamphylia – a coastal region in the south of Turkey along the Mediterranean Sea!
- From Africa… vs. 10
- Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene!
- Egypt – is the same as modern day Egypt on the north east corner of Africa…
- Libya – refers to the northern coast of Africa to the west of Egypt…
- Cyrene – is a city that is located in the modern day country of Libya!
- From Europe… vs. 10-11
- Visitors from Rome!
- Rome – is the same as the modern day city of Rome in Italy…
- VISITORS – [ἐπιδημοῦντες] guests for the FEAST who had come from the Capitol!
- Diverse faiths… vs. 11
- Both Jews and proselytes!
- Jews – refer to those who were born into the Jewish faith…
- Proselytes – refer to those who were NOT Jews – but converted to the Jewish faith!
- Diverse cultures… vs. 11
- Cretans and Arabs – hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God!
- Cretans – refers to those who came from the Island of Crete in the Mediterranean…
- The emphasis being those who practiced the Hellenistic [Greek] culture…
- Arabs – refers to those who came from the Arabian peninsula [middle east]
- The emphasis being those who practiced a nomadic culture…
- All these people – from all these places – with all their faiths – and all their cultures…
- All heard the DISCIPLES speak – in their own LANGUAGE…
- The WONDERFUL [μεγαλεῖος] – from the word GREAT [μέγας] – works of God!
- God had assembled this DIVERSE group from ALL over the world [Pentecost]
- I am sure many of them questioned why God allowed them to be scattered…
- But God had a plan far greater than anyone of them could have imagined…
- A plan to use these Jews – and Pentecost – to spread the Gospel message!
- There are going to be things that happen in our lives that we do not understand…
- We may not always understand why God does something in our lives…
- But our responsibility is not to understand – it is to obey – and trust He has a plan!
- 4th – Two responses… vs. 12-13
- Amazed… vs. 12
- So they were all amazed and perplexed saying to one another: Whatever could this mean?
- FIRST the reaction from some of those who had gathered was POSITIVE…
- They were AMAZED [imperfect] – and CONFUSED…
- But said to one another – [optative] MAYBE [θέλω] this is something…
- They did NOT know what – but they were HOPEFUL God was moving!
- Mocking… vs. 13
- Others mocking said: They are full of new wine!
- BUT [δέ] there were OTHERS [ἕτερος] who MOCKED saying [imperfect]
- These men are FULL of new wine [γλεῦκος] – SUGAR rush…
- Pentecost was [and still is] very much a big PARTY [fiesta]!
- I have met many drunken people – and they do talk funny…
- But I have never met a drunk – who could suddenly speak LATIN or ARABIC…
- So why did some of those listening refuse to see the power of God at work…
- Because they did NOT want to know Jesus – so they did NOT see the power of the Spirit!
- I Corinthians 2:14 – “The un-believer does not understand the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him…”
- New Wine…
- In one way those who called the disciples DRUNK were right…
- God was pouring out NEW Wine – He was doing a NEW work – Luke 5:37-38
- God desires to use us to share the GOOD News with world that is going to hell…
- So He FILLS us up with the POWER of the Spirit – and sets us on FIRE…
- But not everyone is going to receive what we say…
- Some will write us off as being CRAZY – drunk – anything but right…
- But others will have the HOPE that what we are saying is TRUE…
- The good news that God so loved the world – that Jesus came to die so we could live!
- 1st – Gifts of the Spirit… vs. 4