Acts of the Apostles
Session 2: Empowered to Minister
The Coming of the Holy Spirit (2:1-13)
The band of disciples were gatherer “all together in one place” when suddenly they were startled by supernatural happenings – “a sound as the rushing of a mighty wind” which filled the entire house. “Tongues of fire” seemed to rest on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and each began to speak in unfamiliar languages.
1. What was the significance of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost?
________________________________________________________________________
2. How is the supernatural phenomena described? _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. What was the outward manifestation of the Holy Spirit in each person? ___________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Why was that unusual? ________________________________________________
5. Why were the Jews from other countries amazed by what they saw and heard?
________________________________________________________________________
6. What were the different areas represented by the visitors? _____________________
7. What was the reason some gave for the strange behavior of the disciples?
________________________________________________________________________
The First Christian Sermon (2:14-41)
Peter’s sermon gave us a foundational pattern for use to tell the story of Christ down through the ages. He is no longer afraid of the Jews, gone is the lack of courage, and shame of betrayal, now he is empowered. He is now coming to the “rock” that Jesus knew he would be. He directly confronts the Jews, telling them they are guilty of killing the Savior of mankind. But Peter also tells them that salvation is at hand. They, too, can become followers of Jesus that very day.
1. To whom did Peter address his remarks? _________________________________
2. Why is this significant to us? __________________________________________
3. What Old Testament prophet did Peter quote in his address? ________________
4. Peter mentioned David, why did he do that? _______________________________
5. What was the basic theme of Peter’s message? _____________________________
6. How effective was it? _________________________________________________
The Fellowship of Believers (2:42-47)
The large numbers of believers were not left to drift apart, but were kept together and shaped into a unit of fellowship and faith.
1. What were the activities of the early church? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. How did the new believers approach what they did?______________________________
3. What unusual deeds did the apostles do? _________________________________
4. Where did the early believers meet? _____________________________________
5. How did they handle physical needs among them? __________________________
6. What was growth like in the early church? _________________________________
7. What are some lessons we can learn from the start of this early group of believers?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
It would seem that all of the positives from a growing, happy church were in evidence with this group. Even though the specter of opposition loomed, they were confident in their faith, and confident that God would see them through any contingency that might arise. They respected each other and put away the pretenses of “haves” and “have nots”. They enjoyed unity, instruction, sharing, praise, prayers, singleness of heart and effort, and most of all, gladness.
How can we help our church be like the first church in Jerusalem?