Essentials

Opening Q:  What is something people are not united about in our school? Town? Country?

                        What happens when there is no unity in a group, team?

                        Can much get done without a strong sense of unity?

 Theme: UNITY THROUGH THE SPIRIT

Read Acts 2:1-13.

Reminder: the disciples are waiting for what Jesus promised would come (Holy Spirit).

1.     When does this take place? (Vs 1 - Pentecost.  A feast 50 days after the feast of the Passover where they celebrated the giving of the law.  God gave the 10 commandments to Moses 50 days after bringing them out of Egypt.  )

Pentecost is often referred to as the “birth of the church.”  50 days after resurrection.

2.     What 3 things take place at the coming of the Spirit (Vs 2-4)?

A.    Sound – like a mighty rushing wind

B.    Tongues of Fire (Earthly analogies to speak of what is heavenly and transcendent).

C.     Filled with Holy Spirit…(as a result) began to speak in tongues.

3.     Why is this a “good time” for the Holy Spirit to come? (verse 5) Festival brought Jews from all over the world to Jerusalem.  ACCELERATES the Gospel spread.

4.     Verses 8-11 List of the diaspora = spreading of the Jews and where they are all over the world. (spread came partially from being conquered by different empires/slaves/exiles).

READ verses 12-21

1.     What does the crowd think of all these people speaking in different language with one another? Verse 12  

2.     How does Peter respond to this confusion?  First sermon/Major Speech.  Opportunity! Too early to be drunk (vs 15 “third hour of the day”). 9am was customary prayer hour, then eat at 4^th hour.  Peter is being humorous.  

3.     Peter with the 11 (verse 12) – unity as witnesses. Peter is the vocal representative of the group.

4.     Who does Peter reference in vs. 17-21?  Joel 2:28-32.  Spirit on all people.

Why? Uses the text the crowd knew and believed in.  Prophets!

What does it mean?  Today is the day this is happening. Fulfillment!!!

READ

5.     Vs 22-24 Peter breaks down what has happened:

A.    God’s plan to send Jesus, his ministry, death, and resurrection.

B.    Jesus performed mighty works, wonders, signs.

C.     YOU crucified.

6.     Verse 25-36. Peter pushing them to conviction.

Quotes Psalm 16:8-11 (Again, use the OT sacred writings)

7.     Vv. 29-36 David’s lineage.  Repetition.

What do we see of the ESSENTIALS in this passage?

READ VV. 37-41

Call to repentance and unity in Christ.  What was the result of Peter's message and the power of the Holy Spirit (v41)?

READ VV. 42-47

What qualities marked the early church? What habits were they committed to practicing?

There is a lot to admire about the early church. Their generosity and hospitality alone set a high bar for every church community today.

A.   Devoted to Apostles ___________ (learning from those who knew Christ.  This is discipleship.  There is no New Testament to read - instead they have the direct words from those who knew Christ!) 

B.    ________________ (Greek is koinonia = coin-uh-nea) “association, communion, close relationship” with others and God. TOGETHER.

C.    Breaking of ___________ = sense of sharing/caring. 

D.   P_________

E.    G___________

F.    Temple ________ together