A Study On The Book of Acts: Pentecost: Preparation & Proof | Acts 2:1-4

Acts 2:1-4 | Pentecost: Preparation & Proof

Important points to keep in mind:

How did the Apostles prepare for the Pentecost?  (Read Acts 1:12-26)

* They re-established the leadership structure (Due to the falling away of Judas Iscariot)

* They prepared in faith that God will use them. 

They are preparing in faith. It is not time for them to go out yet, but they are preparing in faith and prayer.

* They prepared in unity.

Prayer is one of the foundations where the Holy Spirit will move. 

The disciples prepared in faith, unity, and prayer after which the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost.

An important way we can prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is to spend time in prayer. It is when we pray that we would see God moving in mighty ways. We are to ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit upon us so that we can carry out the mission of Jesus Christ in our generation. 

The Proof of Pentecost:

Jewish pilgrims would come from all across Israel and other lands for the Passover and stay for 50 days for the Feast of the Pentecost which is also called as the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of the first-fruits, especially of the wheat harvest presented to God. It was also roughly the day the Israelites received the law in the wilderness in Exodus 19:1, about 40 days after the first Passover in Egypt. Pentecost is at the beginning of the week. This is the first work before the work for the week begins. Jews from across the world would come for Passover and stay until the Pentecost. So Pentecost in Acts 2 was a strategic time when many people would be gathered there.

Evidence Of Pentecost | Acts 2:1-4

"1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." ~ Acts 2:1-4

* Wind - Acts 2:2

Wind was often used as a metaphor for the breath of God in the OT. The wind also represents the end-time resurrection life.

* Fire - Acts 2:3

Fire is associated with God in the Old Testament. The fire again evokes a theophany (visual manifestation of God to mankind) with God revealing his glory in the Old Testament. As the burning bush experience of Moses, fire denotes the divine presence of God - Exodus 3:2-5

Fire is also associated with the judgement of God - Isaiah 66:15-16 

* Tongues - Acts 2:4

Tongues is the most significant of the three signs for Luke.

Tongues provides the catalyst/agent for multicultural audience. Acts 2:5-13

There were Jewish people from all around the world there. They could hear them speak in their own language.

Tongues provides the catalyst for Peter’s message - Acts 2:16-17 

Tongues relate to Acts theme in Acts 1:8

Tongues is speech inspired by the Holy Spirit

Tongues is prophetic speech - Acts 2:17-18

It is also cross-cultural speech - to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the world.

We need the Holy Spirit for new birth, we need the Holy Spirit for empowerment. The disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit again and again in Acts. We need this continuous empowerment in our lives today.

God poured out his Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. It is very clear that the church and the believers need the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot do this on our own.

Application:

* Prayer and unity in church for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

* God still continues to pour out His Spirit upon individuals.

* Holy Spirit empowerment is for cross-cultural witness.

Key verse of Acts: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." ~ Acts 1:8

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