INTRODUCTION TO OCTOBER LESSONS: Since the creation of Adam and Eve, God has always had a people, but he has not always had a church. Even though the church was envisioned in the great commission of the Old Testament (Genesis 12:1-3), predicted by the prophets during a locust plague (Joel 2:28-32), and promised to the apostles at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13-20), she was not actually born until the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41). But after her birth, the church spread like fire across the Roman Empire. In this first part of our study of Acts, students will learn about that birth, how the early disciples shared their possessions with any who had need (especially widows), and how Philip the evangelist and Peter the apostle stretched that early church to be more inclusive.
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Unit: Acts (Part 1)
Theme: The Church Begins
Lesson Text: Acts 2:1-4, 14-15, 22-24, 29-32; 36-42
Supplemental Text: Acts 2:1-47; Joel 2:28-32; Psalm 16:8-11
Aim: Devote yourself to the things the early church devoted itself to.
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Download a PDF of this week’s lesson material (the study by Mark Scott, the Application by David Faust, and Discovery Questions by Doug Redford): LOOKOUT_Oct1_2023.
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By Mark Scott
Many will recognize the name of evangelist Dean Sharp. He preached a revival sermon entitled “Operation Steadfast.” It was based on the King James Version reading of Acts 2:42, “They continued steadfastly in. . . .” The message traced what the young church continued to do in its earliest days. When the church was born, it immediately gave herself to doing what “Jesus began to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1).
The Spirit and the Church
Acts 2:1-4
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and so was the church. The Twelve (minus Judas, plus Matthias) constituted the New Israel. The prayer meeting that preceded the birth of the church consisted of about 120 people—notice the number 12 even in that number (Acts 1:15-26). The apostles waited and waited (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). Then, on the 50th day following the Passover Sabbath, the Holy Spirit gave birth to the church.
The pronoun they might refer to the 120 people gathered for prayer, but it would certainly refer to at least the Twelve apostles. They were in one place, though the precise location is unknown. Wherever it was, it gave way to a larger area that would accommodate the large Pentecost crowd. Three events characterized the Spirit birthing the church—wind (the sound of it, at least), fire, and speech—which are all rather consistent “signs” of the presence of God in both Testaments. The sound like the blowing of a violent wind reminded the apostles of Jesus’ promise (John 20:22). The fire (shaped like tongues on their heads) was symbolic of purification and even judgment (Matthew 3:11; Hebrews 10:26-27). The “inspired” speech was the ability to speak other languages, discerned by the nations and the people who would have spoken those dialects (Acts 2:5-11).
Jesus and the Church
Acts 2:14-15, 22-24, 29-31
First the apostles came together, and then the multitude came together. Sixteen people groups and places are mentioned that had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost (and perhaps Passover earlier). They were amazed and perplexed by what they heard (i.e., the gospel in their own languages and dialects). But some mocked the apostles, saying that they were filled with new (or sweet, the Greek word gleukos, the source of our word glucose) wine.
The apostles preached about Jesus, Jesus, and Jesus, and Peter’s sermon was the one recorded. He addressed the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the guests of Jerusalem, and then he quickly dismissed the mockery. Not only would new wine not have been produced in the spring of the year, but to be drunk at such an early hour of the day made the charge ridiculous.
Peter then quoted from Joel 2:28-32, which was the prediction of the coming of the Spirit. Then he moved quickly to speak about Jesus. The gospel was all about Jesus. Peter mentioned Jesus’ credentials (miracles, wonders, and signs), his fulfillment of God’s deliberate plan, his gruesome crucifixion, and his glorious resurrection.
Spoiler alert: the bulk of the Pentecost sermon was about the resurrection; 10 of the 19 verses were about it. Peter marshaled support from Psalm 16 and Psalm 110 to prove his point. Much of the good news is summarized in the phrase “death could not hold him.” The Psalms make us think of King David. But that patriarch and prophet has a grave in Jerusalem to this very day (though the credibility of the designated spot is unlikely). David’s bones are somewhere in Jerusalem. The Son of David’s bones are nowhere to be found.
The People in the Church
Acts 2:36-42
Peter’s sermon-in-a-sentence is verse 36. By virtue of the resurrection, God made Jesus, whom the people had crucified, both Lord and Messiah. That was as much as the people could take. They were deeply convicted (cut to the heart) and asked what they could do to get right with God (a question asked four times in the New Testament).
Peter did not tell his audience to believe, because they would not have asked their question if they did not already believe. Peter told them to repent and be baptized because they desperately needed to do both. This would provide forgiveness and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Two commands followed by two promises. And this promise of salvation was for individuals, families, and ethnic groups far off.
Peter’s sermon went on as he exhorted the people to save yourselves. Three thousand responded, and the church was born. They gave themselves to teaching, fellowship, Communion, and prayer. Those actions should steadfastly be enjoined today.
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