Acts | Chapter 2 : vimarsana.com
Acts | Chapter 2
On this Saturday, October 2nd, our focus turns to the second chapter of Acts. Below are some questions to answer as you read the text. For a printable version, click HERE.
Read Acts Chapter 2
What stands out to you as you read this chapter?
Are there any words or phrases that you feel are key ideas in this chapter?
What other features do you wish you knew more about (culture, religion, customs, etc.) in order to help you understand this chapter?
How do you think this chapter fits in the larger story of Acts and the Bible as a whole?
ACT OUT: How does the Holy Spirit want to use this text in your life, for others or for yourself? Maybe you noticed it. Acts begins with a sense of anticipation. The reader feels something big is about to happen. Did you notice how Luke quotes a command (1:4) and a promise of Jesus (1:7-8) that come from the end of his gospel (Luke 24:49)? These are words of the crucified and risen Jesus to his apostles. They are words that will certainly be fulfilled. . .someday. Acts takes us straight to the day of fulfillment! What if you had been in the upper room? Imagine the scene: the roar of a windstorm, tongues of fire seVling on each one present; a small company, around 120, speaking of “the wonderful things God has done” in languages they never learned. You can’t miss the miraculous nature of these events.
Yet, dramatic as the first 13 verses of Acts 2 may be, the point Peter wants his hearers to notice over the next 28 verses (Acts 2:14-41) is that this new work of the Holy Spirit isn’t new at all, from a biblical standpoint. The prophet Joel had predicted the day when the Spirit would be poured out, and a harvest of naGons would be brought in. King David saw the resurrection prophetically in the Psalms. Looking into the future (Acts 2:31), David’s hope anticipated the Messiah being raised from the dead and ascending to heaven to pour out the Spirit and to rule as Lord, calling both Jews and “those far away” to be forgiven of their sins. That Messiah is Jesus, Peter claims. All who turn to Jesus in faith and repentance will be saved!
Careful readers of the Old Testament would notice that one of the signs of the true Messiah (God’s ultimate King) would be to fulfill the promise of creating a Sprit-filled new community of believers from every nation. It begins on Pentecost, right here in Acts 2. Prayer: Lord, whether or not you want me to experience anything like the early believers did, please fill me with your Holy Spirit! I want to receive your promise of salva@on and be in fellowship with believers of all nations. I also want to tell others the wonderful things you’ve done! Amen
Read Acts Chapter 2
What stands out to you as you read this chapter?
Are there any words or phrases that you feel are key ideas in this chapter?
What other features do you wish you knew more about (culture, religion, customs, etc.) in order to help you understand this chapter?
How do you think this chapter fits in the larger story of Acts and the Bible as a whole?
ACT OUT: How does the Holy Spirit want to use this text in your life, for others or for yourself? Maybe you noticed it. Acts begins with a sense of anticipation. The reader feels something big is about to happen. Did you notice how Luke quotes a command (1:4) and a promise of Jesus (1:7-8) that come from the end of his gospel (Luke 24:49)? These are words of the crucified and risen Jesus to his apostles. They are words that will certainly be fulfilled. . .someday. Acts takes us straight to the day of fulfillment! What if you had been in the upper room? Imagine the scene: the roar of a windstorm, tongues of fire seVling on each one present; a small company, around 120, speaking of “the wonderful things God has done” in languages they never learned. You can’t miss the miraculous nature of these events.
Yet, dramatic as the first 13 verses of Acts 2 may be, the point Peter wants his hearers to notice over the next 28 verses (Acts 2:14-41) is that this new work of the Holy Spirit isn’t new at all, from a biblical standpoint. The prophet Joel had predicted the day when the Spirit would be poured out, and a harvest of naGons would be brought in. King David saw the resurrection prophetically in the Psalms. Looking into the future (Acts 2:31), David’s hope anticipated the Messiah being raised from the dead and ascending to heaven to pour out the Spirit and to rule as Lord, calling both Jews and “those far away” to be forgiven of their sins. That Messiah is Jesus, Peter claims. All who turn to Jesus in faith and repentance will be saved!
Careful readers of the Old Testament would notice that one of the signs of the true Messiah (God’s ultimate King) would be to fulfill the promise of creating a Sprit-filled new community of believers from every nation. It begins on Pentecost, right here in Acts 2. Prayer: Lord, whether or not you want me to experience anything like the early believers did, please fill me with your Holy Spirit! I want to receive your promise of salva@on and be in fellowship with believers of all nations. I also want to tell others the wonderful things you’ve done! Amen