Bible Study Snacks, Acts 2:1-47

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. I'd like to thank you for joining me again as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word and wisdom together. I hope that your week has gone well, and that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, we will continue our study with the Book of Acts, Chapter Two.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES:

The reader will be able...

1) To carefully consider the events surrounding the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

2) To examine Peter's first gospel sermon, and the evidence presented in it for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3) To observe the response to the sermon, and what people were told to do in order to be saved.

4) To note the establishment and characteristics of the church in Jerusalem.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts, Chapter 2:

Ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven, on the Jewish feast day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is poured out as promised. With the sound of a rushing mighty wind, and with tongues of fire appearing above their heads, those filled with the Holy Spirit begin to speak in other tongues (Acts 2:1-4). Devout Jews visiting from other countries are attracted and amazed as they hear wonderful works of God proclaimed in their own languages (Acts 2:5-13).

Peter, standing with the rest of the apostles, explains that what has happened is a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-32), who foretold that God would pour out His Spirit in the last days (Acts 2:14-21). He then preaches Jesus of Nazareth to the crowd, reminding them of His miracles, their involvement in His death, and proclaiming that God raised Him from the dead.

As proof for the resurrection, Peter offers three lines of evidence: 1) the prophecy by David, who foretold of the resurrection (Psalm 16:8-11); 2) the twelve apostles as witnesses; 3) the Spirit's outpouring itself , indicative of Christ's exaltation and reception of the promise of the Spirit from the Father. In conclusion, Peter pronounces that God has made Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:22-36).

Cut to the heart, the people ask the apostles what they should do. Peter commands them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit. With many other words he exhorts them to be saved, and about 3000 souls gladly receive his word and are baptized (Acts 2:37-41).

Thus begins the church in Jerusalem, which continues steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and prayers. Signs and wonders are done by the apostles, while the believers display their love and devotion through acts of benevolence and frequent worship. They enjoy the favor of the people, and the Lord adds to the church daily those being saved (Acts 2:42-47).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What are the main points of this chapter? (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:5-13; Acts 2:14-21; Acts 2:22-36; Acts 2:37-41; Acts 2:42-47)
2) What day had arrived? Who was gathered in one place? (Acts 2:1)
3) What audible and visible signs were evidence of the Spirit's outpouring? (Acts 2:2-3)
4) What did those filled with Spirit begin to do? (Acts 2:4)
5) Who was present in Jerusalem at that time? (Acts 2:5)
6) What indicates that the "tongues" were known languages of men? (Acts 2:6, 11)
7) What evidence is that those speaking were only the apostles? (Acts 2:7)
8) What was the reaction of those who heard? (Acts 2:7, 12-13)
9) How did Peter and the eleven discount the charge that they were drunk? (Acts 2:14-15)
10) To what does Peter attribute the events of that day? (Acts 2:16)
11) When would the events described by Joel occur? (Acts 2:17)
12) Upon whom would the Spirit be poured out? (Acts 2:17, 18)
13) What did Joel prophesy would be some of the effects of the Spirit's outpouring? (Acts 2:17-18)
14) What other events were foretold by Joel? When would they occur? (Acts 2:19-20)
15) What reassuring promise was made by Joel? (Acts 2:21)
16) How was Jesus attested to by God? (Acts 2:22)
17) Could the audience deny that Jesus did these signs? (Acts 2:22)
18) Though crucified by lawless hands, according to what was Jesus' death? (Acts 2:23)
19) What is the main proposition of Peter's sermon? (Acts 2:24)
20) What first line of evidence did Peter present to prove his proposition? (Acts 2:25-31)
21) How was Peter able to prove that David did not speak of himself? (Acts 2:29, 34)
22) What two prophecies of David did Peter reference? (Acts 2:25-29, 34-35) What second line of evidence did Peter present to prove his proposition? (Acts 2:32)
23) What second line of evidence did Peter present to prove his proposition? (Acts 2:32)
24) What third line of evidence did Peter present to prove his proposition? (Acts 2:33-33)
25) What did Peter want his audience to know assuredly? (Acts 2:36)
26) How did this impact the audience? What did they ask? (Acts 2:37)
27) What two commands did Peter give them? (Acts 2:38)
28) What two promises did Peter offer them? (Acts 2:38)
29) To whom was the promise offered? (Acts 2:39)
30) What else did Peter say? (Acts 2:40)
31) What did those who gladly received his word do? How many? (Acts 2:41)
32) What did those who were baptized then do? (Acts 2:42)
33) Who were doing many wonders and signs? (Acts 2:43)
34) What did those who believe do with their possessions? (Acts 2:44-45)
35) What did the disciples do during those first days of the early church in Jerusalem? (Acts 2:46-47)
36) What did the Lord do during those days? (Acts 2:47)

After completing this weeks' study, go back and read through it again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri