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Lesson 10 - The Mission of the Church, Acts 2:1-47
(To help you answer the questions see the Notes below.
I became disillusioned with the church during my high school years and dropped out. In college I resisted those from a church near the campus who sought to evangelize me. But even as I resisted, I saw something in the fellowship of believers that attracted me. Eventually my resistance was overcome, and I was drawn both to the Lord and the church.
Our experiences of the church may vary from excellent to frustrating. But whatever our experience, we need to return to the Scriptures to refresh our vision for the church and its mission. What we see in Scripture is a standard for both fellowship and mission that can fill us with renewed hope and commitment to God's people.
Has the church been a place of frustration or satisfaction for you? Why?
Read Acts 2:1-41. How do the events on the day of Pentecost begin to fulfill Jesus' promise in Acts 1:8?
How does Peter use Joel's prophecy to explain what is happening on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-21)?
The mission of the church is to proclaim the message: "Jesus, whom you crucified, [is] both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). What reasons does Peter offer for believing that message (Acts 2:22-41)?
How does that first message about Jesus compare and contrast with the message the church proclaims today? (Give examples.)
Thousands responded to Peter's sermon (Acts 2:22-39). Why do you think his message was so convincing to the people gathered in Jerusalem?
How convincing is that message in our culture today? Explain.
Read Acts 2:42-47. The church's mission and message created a fellowship. How would you describe that first fellowship of believers?
There were larger worship gatherings at the temple and smaller gatherings in homes (Acts 2:46). Why are both important?
"The Lord added to their number daily" (Acts 2:47). What is our role and what is God's role in the growth of the church?
What are the consequences of losing sight of our role or God's role in adding people to the church?
In what ways could your church or fellowship benefit from the example of the early church described in this chapter?
Acts 2:1
2:1 Held 50 days after Passover, Pentecost was also called the Feast of Weeks. It was one of three major annual feasts (Deut. 16:16), a festival of thanksgiving for the harvested crops. Jesus was crucified at Passover time, and he ascended 40 days after his resurrection. The Holy Spirit came 50 days after the resurrection, ten days after the ascension. Jews of many nations gathered in Jerusalem for this festival. Thus Peter's speech (Acts 2:14ff) was given to an international audience, and it resulted in a worldwide harvest of new believers-the first converts to Christianity.
Acts 2:3-11
2:3-4 This was a fulfillment of John the Baptist's words about the Holy Spirit's baptizing with fire (Luke 3:16), and of the prophet Joel's words about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29).
Why tongues of fire? Tongues symbolize speech and the communication of the gospel. Fire symbolizes God's purifying presence, which burns away the undesirable elements of our lives and sets our hearts aflame to ignite the lives of others. On Mount Sinai, God confirmed the validity of the Old Testament law with fire from heaven (Exodus 19:16-18). At Pentecost, God confirmed the validity of the Holy Spirit's ministry by sending fire. At Mount Sinai, fire had come down on one place; at Pentecost, fire came down on many believers, symbolizing that God's presence is now available to all who believe in him.
2:3-4 God made his presence known to this group of believers in a spectacular way-violent wind, fire, and his Holy Spirit. Would you like God to reveal himself to you in such recognizable ways? He may do so, but be wary of forcing your expectations on God. In 1 Kings 19:10-13, Elijah also needed a message from God. There was a great wind, then an earthquake, and finally a fire. But God's message came in a "gentle whisper." God may use dramatic methods to work in your life-or he may speak in gentle whispers. Wait patiently and always listen.
2:4-11 These people literally spoke in other languages-a miraculous attention-getter for the international crowd gathered in town for the feast. All the nationalities represented recognized their own languages being spoken. But more than miraculous speaking drew people's attention; they saw the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The apostles continued to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit wherever they went.
2:7-8 Christianity is not limited to any race or group of people. Christ offers salvation to all people without regard to nationality. Visitors in Jerusalem were surprised to hear the apostles and other believers speaking in languages other than their own, the languages of other nationalities, but they need not have been. God works all kinds of miracles to spread the gospel, using many languages as he calls all kinds of people to become his followers. No matter what your race, color, nationality, or language, God speaks to you. Are you listening?
2:9-11 Why are all these places mentioned? This is a list of many lands from which Jews came to the festivals in Jerusalem. These Jews were not living in Palestine because they had been dispersed throughout the world through captivities and persecutions. Very likely, some of the Jews who responded to Peter's message returned to their homelands with God's Good News of salvation. Thus God prepared the way for the spread of the gospel. As you read Acts, you will see how the way was often prepared for Paul and other messengers by people who became believers at Pentecost. The church at Rome, for example, was probably begun by such Jewish believers.
Acts 2:14ff
2:14 Peter had been an unstable leader during Jesus' ministry, letting his bravado be his downfall, even denying that he knew Jesus (John 18:15-18, 25-27). But Christ had forgiven and restored him (John 21). This was a new Peter, humble but bold. His confidence came from the Holy Spirit, who made him a powerful and dynamic speaker. Have you ever felt as if you've made such bad mistakes that God could never forgive and use you? No matter what sins you have committed, God promises to forgive you and make you useful for his kingdom. Allow him to forgive you and use you effectively to serve him.
2:14ff Peter tells the people why they should listen to the testimony of the believers: because the Old Testament prophecies had been entirely fulfilled in Jesus (2:14-21), because Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 2:25-36), and because the risen Christ could change their lives (Acts 2:37-40).
Acts 2:15
2:15 Peter answered accusations that they were all drunk (Acts 2:13) by saying it was much too early in the day for that.
Acts 2:16-21
2:16-21 Not everything mentioned in Joel 2:28-29 was happening that particular morning. The "last days" include all the days between Christ's first and second comings, and is another way of saying "from now on." "The great and glorious day of the Lord" (Acts 2:20) denotes the whole Christian age. Even Moses yearned for the Lord to put his Spirit on everyone (Numbers 11:29). At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was released throughout the entire world-to men, women, slaves, Jews, Gentiles. Now everyone can receive the Spirit. This was a revolutionary thought for first-century Jews.
Acts 2:23
2:23 Everything that happened to Jesus was under God's control. His plans were never disrupted by the Roman government or the Jewish officials. This was especially comforting to those facing oppression during the time of the early Christian church.
Acts 2:24
2:24 Peter began with a public proclamation of the resurrection at a time when it could be verified by many witnesses. This was a powerful statement, because many of the people listening to Peter's words had been in Jerusalem 50 days earlier at Passover and may have seen or heard about the crucifixion and resurrection of this "great teacher." Jesus' resurrection was the ultimate sign that what he said about himself was true. Without the resurrection, we would have no reason to believe in Jesus (1 Cor. 15:14).
Acts 2:25-32
2:25-32 Peter quoted from Psalm 16:8-11-a psalm written by David. He explained that David was not writing about himself, because David died and was buried (Acts 2:29). Instead, he wrote as a prophet (Acts 2:30) who spoke of the Messiah who would be resurrected. The audience understood "decay" (Acts 2:27) to mean the grave. The emphasis here is that Jesus' body was not left to decay but was in fact resurrected and glorified.
Acts 2:33
2:33 He "has poured out what you now see and hear" could be paraphrased, "gave Jesus the authority to send the Holy Spirit, with the results you are seeing and hearing today."
Acts 2:37
2:37 After Peter's powerful, Spirit-filled message, the people were deeply moved and asked, "What shall we do?" This is the basic question we must ask. It is not enough to be sorry for our sins-we must let God forgive them, and then we must live like forgiven people. Has God spoken to you through his Word or through the words of another believer? Like Peter's audience, ask God what you should do, and then obey.
Acts 2:38-39
2:38-39 If you want to follow Christ, you must "repent and be baptized." To repent means to turn from sin, changing the direction of your life from selfishness and rebellion against God's laws. At the same time, you must turn to Christ, depending on him for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and purpose. We cannot save ourselves-only God can save us. Baptism identifies us with Christ and with the community of believers. It is a condition of discipleship and a sign of faith.
Acts 2:40-43
2:40-43 About 3,000 people became new believers when Peter preached the Good News about Christ. These new Christians were united with the other believers, taught by the apostles, and included in the prayer meetings and fellowship. New believers in Christ need to be in groups where they can learn God's Word, pray, and mature in the faith. If you have just begun a relationship with Christ, seek out other believers for fellowship, prayer, and teaching. This is the way to grow.
2:42 "Breaking of bread" Some people believe this refers to communion services that were celebrated in remembrance of Jesus and were patterned after the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples before his death. Others believe that this refers to a common meal, much like a potluck meal, to which the participating families brought something to share so that they could all eat together. It is more likely the latter explanation that is the best one.
Acts 2:44
2:44 Recognizing the other believers as brothers and sisters in the family of God, the Christians in Jerusalem shared all they had so that all could benefit from God's gifts. It is tempting-especially if we have material wealth-to cut ourselves off from one another, each taking care of his or her own interests, each providing for and enjoying his or her own little piece of the world. But as part of God's spiritual family, it is our responsibility to help one another in every way possible. God's family works best when its members work together.
Acts 2:46
2:46 A common misconception about the first Christians (who were Jews) was that they rejected the Jewish religion. But these believers saw Jesus' message and resurrection as the fulfillment of everything they knew and believed from the Old Testament. The Jewish believers at first did not separate from the rest of the Jewish community. They still went to the temple and synagogues for worship and instruction in the Scriptures. But their belief in Jesus created great friction with Jews who didn't believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Thus, believing Jews were forced to meet in private homes for communion, prayer, and teaching about Christ. By the end of the first century, many of these Jewish believers were excommunicated from their synagogues.
Acts 2:47
2:47 A healthy Christian community attracts people to Christ. The Jerusalem church's zeal for worship and brotherly love was contagious. A healthy, loving church will grow in numbers. What are you doing to make your church the kind of place that will attract others to Christ?
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