Acts 2 - What Does a New Testament Church Look Like?
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 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.
Pentecost was a term that meant "50 days". The feast of Pentecost in the Jewish faith was celebrated 50 days after the Passover. Yesterday, we learned that 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven to the right hand of the Father. Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit.
The disciples did as Jesus commanded and sure enough a sound like a violent wind filled the house where they were staying. When Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove. Rarely is the Holy Spirit seen, but at Pentecost the Holy Spirit looked like "tongues of fire". The tongues rested on the apostles, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in other tongues. The Greek term is "glossalalia" which means they spoke in other languages.
The Greek word for Spirit "Pneuma" and Hebrew word for Spirit "Ruach" both mean "wind" or "breath". So you might say the Holy Spirit "breathed" on them.
These divided tongues, as of fire, appearing over each one, were also unusual. It probably should be connected with John the Baptist’s prophecy that Jesus would baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11). - Guzik
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
If there ever was a good time for the Holy Spirit to come upon the apostles and enable them to speak in different tongues, it was Pentecost! Why? Because Jews who had been dispersed all across the world were in Jerusalem to observe this feast. These nations represented people from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Minor.
For the people from all of these far away nations to hear Galileans (most of whom were fishermen) speak in their native tongues was a supernatural occurrence. It was a sign of God's presence. They heard the "wonders of God" being proclaimed. The apostles were declaring the glory of God in their own language which got their attention. This paved the way for Peter's first sermon
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]
Peter once again spoke as the leader of the apostles. He quoted from the prophet Joel, in chapter 2, where Joel prophesied the Spirit would be poured out on all people. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon particular people, at particular times for particular purposes. I.e. Samson, David, Elijah. One the day of Pentecost, Holy Spirit was poured out on all people regardless of age or gender.
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e]
Peter then used words from Psalm 16, a psalm of David, to explain what happened to Jesus after the Jews crucified him. Note Peter holds them all guilty even though the plan to arrest and try Jesus was orchestrated by a few men. I.e. Judas, the religious leaders
Peter recognized that though this Psalm spoke of David, it spoke of someone greater than David – the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Jesus may have taught Peter this when He instructed the disciples in the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-45). - Guzik
Jesus of Nazareth, the man they all knew (as you yourselves also know, Acts 2:22), was the one who fulfilled this prophetic Psalm. How did Peter know this? He saw the resurrected Jesus! The basic evidence of the resurrection was simply the report of reliable eyewitnesses: Of which we are all witnesses. - Guzik
29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’[f]
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Peter connected the Old Testament prophecies of Joel and David, to what just happened to Jesus on the cross. Importantly Jesus was raised from the dead proving that he was and is the Messiah. The physical, literal, and bodily resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of the Christian faith. As Paul said in Corinthians, "If Jesus has not risen from the dead, we among all people are most to be pitied."
The Holy Spirit convicted the Jewish people who were gathered, and they asked Peter what they should do? Peter told them to "repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.". To repent means to turn from trusting in yourself to trusting in Jesus. It means to live your life under the new leadership of Jesus. It is turning from the things you know are wrong and living your life for Jesus.
Here we also see the importance of Holy Baptism. Importantly, Peter says they were to be "baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins." The word baptism comes from the Greek word "baptizo", which means to "completely cover" or "immerse". An example would be a seed that is buried into the dirt, or completely covered by the dirt. It is in this sense baptized. This is why water was used as a symbol that they were completely covered by God's grace in Christ Jesus!
Then, Peter makes another important promise. The promise was for them individually and also "for their children". Just like all the Israelites who were circumcised were considered part of the Old Covenant God made with Abraham, now those who were filled with the Holy Spirit and believed in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins were baptized. It was the outward sign of an inward reality. It was the new covenant sealed by Jesus' blood shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sin.
3,000 people were baptized that day and that probably only included the men. If families were represented it would be closer to 10,000.
The response of the crowd also helps us to put the events of that Day of Pentecost into perspective. The exercise of the gift of tongues produced nothing in the listeners except for astonishment and mocking. It wasn’t until the gospel was preached that conviction from the Holy Spirit came. This was the work God really wanted to accomplish.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
These verses are very important because they give us the DNA of the first church, and a blueprint for what our churches should look like. Most importantly when they practiced these different aspects of their life together, the Lord added to their number "daily those who were being saved." This helps clarify what evangelism is and what it isn't.
Evangelism isn't a program, it is the organic nature of the church when it is functioning properly. Note the four main aspects to their life together.
Teaching - Teaching how the Old Testament related to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Teaching about Jesus' life, and the messages he gave about the kingdom of God and how to participate in its coming on earth.
Fellowship - This was the deep relational intimacy they experienced together through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for "fellowship" is "koinonia". The friendships we have with other Christians are different than friendship in the world, because they are centered in the person of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Breaking of Bread - This could very well be related to Holy Communion, as Jesus commanded the apostles to do this at the Last Supper. Jesus said, "Whenever you gather do this in remembrance of me". So there was the breaking bread to remember Jesus' body broken and His blood poured out. Historians tells us this was part of a larger meal called the "agape feast". This might be similar to our modern day potluck in the church. Everybody brought food to share and they enjoyed each other's company.
Prayer - Jesus taught them how to pray and modeled it constantly. It would make perfect sense to not only pray individually but also together.
The apostles performed many signs and wonders fulfilling what Jesus said, "You will do even greater things than me because I am going to the Father and will send you the Holy Spirit."
Also, there was a deep sense of generosity in the early church, as everybody pooled together resources to provide those in need. They didn't just meet once a week but enjoyed community everyday together. Though this may not be practical today, it certainly shows us that we can't expect true Christian community to grow in just a one hour worship service on Sunday.
This was the type of community that they invited people into and look what happened. The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Do you think this applies to the church today? Do you think if our churches more resembled the early church in Acts 2 that we might reach more people for Christ? I think the answer is pretty obvious!
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