| INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES | Acts Lesson 2 | |||
| Contact: David Parham
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Acts Chapter 2
Memory verses for this week: Phil 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Introduction: In Chapter 1 last week, we saw the apostles coming together and doing those things commanded of the Lord just before He ascended unto the Father. We saw the first business meeting of the church as the church voted to replace to vacancy of Judas Iscariot with Matthias, a man they felt who would fill the office the best. I. The Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. I think there are few things that probably please God more than to see His people gathering together for His honor in one place, and to be in "one accord." With so many differences of opinion on virtually every topic today, it is a unique church who can come together and be of the "one mind" that Jesus would have us to be. But if we are in God’s Will, we will be in agreement on all the major doctrines, we will love one another and put God’s Word above all other authorities on decisions, and we will be backing our Pastor in his leadership of the church. These people were like that… one mind, one accord.
The day of Pentecost came 50 days after the passover feast and was called the Feast of Harvest. We know the Lord showed himself 40 days after the resurrection (Acts 1:3), and with the ten days of waiting, we have the 50 days.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. We see the Holy Spirit filled the house where the church was gathered together. They were baptized in the Holy Spirit by Christ on this day. Remember the verse we read last week in Matthew where John the Baptist told how Jesus would come and baptize them with the Holy Spirit. Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. In verse 4, we see that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. While Christ used the element of the Holy Spirit to baptize the believers in the church on this great day, today we are filled with the Holy Spirit when we are saved. Because of the unique situation that was there in that day, many spake in tongues to give others there that did not speak the Hebrew and Greek the ability to understand the message that was preached. Note these were not gibberish words like many who claim to speak in tongues today, but were words of another language. When you see the term "unknown" tongue in the Bible, you see the word unknown italicized to point out that there was no exact word to bring over the meaning to the English language. As the Spirit gave them utterance, they spoke in a language that they truly did not know. That would be as if I suddenly could speak fluent Chinese and I’ve never studied the language. This may seem impossible with man, but with God, all things are possible. The first time we have record of there being more than one language on earth was over in Genesis Chapter 11 where God confounded the people who were trying to build a tower unto heaven.
Some other references made in the bible in speaking in tongues are recorded in Acts at the house of Cornelius and in I Corinthians where Paul put more emphasis on making what was spoken to be simple and understandable than to speak in many tongues. Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. 1 Cor 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 1 Cor 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Acts 2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Acts 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. They were all astounded at the ability to hear in their native tongue when the person speaking did not know their language. God gave special abilities on this day. We see all these many different people with various backgrounds who had traveled from far away to be in attendance on this great day there in Jerusalem. All of these names are different languages spoken that day. Some thought that those speaking were drunk, but in verse 14-15 Peter makes it clear that a great thing was being done fulfilling prophecy by the prophet Joel.
II. Peter’s Sermon.. a Fulfillment of Prophecy in Joel Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: Acts 2:19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The verses over in Joel are in Chapter 2 of Joel. Joel 2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Joel 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. Joel’s prophecy covered much more than just this one day, but covered from the coming of the Holy Spirit on this day of Pentecost to the close of tribulation. Note the verses in Revelation Chapter 6. Rev 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Rev 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. Rev 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? In verse 17, it is important that we keep the distinction clear between "the last days" in relation to the nation of Israel and the "last days" relating to the church and the end of our time period. The "last days" as related to the church began with the birth of Jesus Christ. The "last days" as related to Israel are the days of Israel’s exaltation and blessing, and synonymous with the kingdom age. We are so blessed to be living in this time called the dispensation of Grace. In verse 21, it says a time will come that "whosoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." We should realize what a blessing and opportunity is set before every man and woman in this time of the Gentiles. We need to make the most of this time, because a day is coming, and is not long away in my estimation, when the Lord will gather together the Jews again and this nation will be born again in a day.
III. The Works of Jesus Prove He is Lord and Christ Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Peter gives good advice to the crowd that day, and it is good for us today. "Hear these words." So many want to speak today, but not many will listen. When it comes to God’s Word, it is wise that we all listen to "Thus Saith the Word of God." In verse 22, Peter tells them that by the many wonders and signs that Jesus performed, God proved Him to be the Christ. Jesus truly was a man approved of God. John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. It was no accident that Jesus went to Calvary on that specific day. We mentioned last week that when the fulness of time came, Jesus was born. And when the appointed day came, Jesus went to the Cross to pay for our sins. Christ’s death was according to a definite and fixed purpose of God. In the eternal counsel halls of glory, God the Father made a pact with the Son that He would come and die to pay for the sins of mankind. This was a well thought out and settled plan with the foreknowledge of God. He knew that even with the all the law, man could never live up to the requirements of righteousness, and someone would have to pay the debt of our sins if we were to ever come into the presence of God. God being totally righteous, can not look upon sin. We who know Christ as Savior are able to come to God because of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. None of us in our own righteousness can stand before God, but as many as will acknowledge their sinful condition and turn to the Savior, can be saved and have the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Speaking concerning Abraham over in Romans, Paul by leadership of the Holy Spirit wrote:
IV. David Spoke of Christ’s Future Kingdom Acts 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Acts 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Because of what David foresaw, he said his heart rejoiced and his tongue was glad. David looked forward to the promise of Christ’s coming, where you and I look back in full assurance with faith because of the Words penned and the prophecies fulfilled by our Savior. David said he knew God would not let Christ’s body decay even after death. Acts 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. I rejoice with David in the Lord making known to use the ways of life. All the ways of life are tied to Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. If we want to have a successful and joyous life, we need look no further than to Jesus Christ. He puts joy in your heart and hope in your step. Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. David was prophetical in these words, that one day God would put Christ on the throne of David. Christ came and lived for 33 ½ years before His death on Mount Calvary, but He never sat on this royal throne. In the Millennial kingdom, the 1,000 years following the 7 years of tribulation, Jesus will sit on David’s Throne and control this entire earth as he will rule with righteousness like this world has never known.
V. The Resurrection of Jesus Proves He is Lord and Christ Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Acts 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. We find that Jesus is to sit on the right hand of God until God makes Satan His footstool. Peter in this great sermon reminds the Jews that the one they crucified, God has made both Lord and Christ.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Many religious groups have tried to use verse 38 to prove baptismal regeneration. But the key word in this teaching if the first word… "REPENT". When the Jews heard the sermon, it says they were pricked in the heart. Conviction of sin brings this.. and when we then acknowledge our sin, repent of it, and turn to Christ for salvation, we are saved. We are baptized as an act of righteousness and it brings us into the local church. But ‘acts of righteousness’ do not save us. Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Do you remember all those difficult "persons" of verbs when you studied English in Junior High. If you look carefully at these verses, you find that "repent" is second person plural.. it is a command to the world to all men. "Be baptized" is third person singular… only those who have repented and been saved were to be baptized. "Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" is second person plural. If you look carefully, you will understand that Peter was saying to Repent and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.. and then be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus because of the remission of your sins. Don’t let people mislead you on this verse. The bible is always in total harmony. It does not teach one thing about salvation and then teach a conflicting scripture somewhere else. We need to always ask the "who", "what" "when" and "where" questions. Is this during the New Testament times… Who is talking. When Jesus spoke, it was crystal clear except when He spoke of the deeper things or the teaching with the parables. But get everything in synch before coming to conclusion as to what one or two verses mean. Many are mislead by television evangelists who use verses out of context to teach false doctrine. We see that 3,000 responded to the preaching and were saved and baptized.
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. We see after the church was empowered from on high that they continued stedfastly in "Apostle’s doctrine, fellowship, and breaking of bread, and in prayer." These were the needful things necessary to continue God’s work. We need to be sure we don’t fail to study God’s Word every week. In verse 43, it says that "fear came upon all of them". We know that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Prov. 9:10) As they continued daily, God blessed them and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Internet Bible Studies are prepared and distributed free of charge. The lessons may not be sold without consent. If you have questions or wish to discuss the lessons, or possibly need help in finding Jesus Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior, contact David Parham at 940-322-4343. Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. e-mail at: davidparham@ internetbible.netWebsite: http://www.internetbible.netPractice Random Acts of Kindness. Each act spreads, and many will be blessed.
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