Acts 2:1-21
January 23, 2022
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Introduction (Acts 2:1)
A. Everyone thinks Christianity is fine as it is
1. “Just leave me alone” is the motto of modern society – and it has creeped into Christianity too
2. “Don’t expect me to do anything but just come to church on occasion”
3. “Definitely don’t expect me to sacrifice my happiness and time for the will of God”
4. And so, if we would just admit it, We are weak, and powerless in our lives!
5. We are probably the least spirit filled Christians in history, and it shows most in our families, and even in our church, because where the Spirit of Christ is there's Liberty. There's peace. There's unity. There is holy Spirit Power! And there is joy!
6. And so many Christians don’t have those things like we should!
B. But there was a day, when God showed the world a different kind of power – a different kind of Christianity…
C. The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1)
1. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2. Pentecost (it means ‘50 days’ since the Passover)
3. It was the celebration of the beginning of harvest time.
a. In Israel, there were two harvests each year.
1) The early harvest (the first harvest) came during the months of May and June
2) The final harvest came in the Fall.
b. Pentecost was the celebration of the start of the wheat harvest, which was during the middle of the month of May or sometimes in early June according to our calendar.
c. It brought Jews from all over the world to Jerusalem.
4. So, it has been 50 days since Jesus died on Passover
5. 10 days since Jesus left and ascended to heaven
D. So much confusion about what happened on that day, 2,000 years ago
E. So, let’s clear some things up
1. What was So Special About the Day of Pentecost?
2. What was the Gift of Speaking in Tongues?
3. What is the Filling of the Holy Spirit?
4. And What is this World Coming To?
F. We will only learn about the first two things today
II. Message
A. What Was So Special About the Day of Pentecost? (Acts 2:2-21)
1. An Expected Event (go back to Acts 1:4)
a. After His resurrection, Jesus told His remaining disciples to go back to the upper room, and wait (Acts 1:4) And, [JESUS] being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
b. What do you think those 120 disciples were waiting for?
1) They weren’t just sitting there in that upper room
2) they were waiting for something big to happen – something marvellous – something impossible!
3) The Promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit!
c. And here they are in chapter 2…
1) This small group of baby Christians (“they…”) have been assembling and praying and waiting for those ten days since Jesus left
2) And notice, they are STILL together – they haven’t fallen out with each other
3) Still in the Upper Room
4) Still waiting like they were told to
5) In unity – in one accord – in godly, biblical harmony of heart and lives
d. They didn’t know what was going to happen, and didn’t even know when
e. Until it just happened!
2. A Sudden Event (Acts 2:2-4)
a. Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
b. Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
c. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
d. Imagine this moment…
e. Suddenly
1) A sound coming down from the sky – a rushing, fierce wind – like a storm (tornado) focused on just this one house in Jerusalem, where about 120 people were gathered in an upper room
2) The sound descended through the rafters and into the whole house where they were praying – it filled the entire house
f. Isn’t it wonderful that God needs no introduction – just wait on Him, and He will come!
3. A Supernatural Event (Acts 2:2-4)
a. Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
b. Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
c. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
d. Something supernatural was happening in the upper room
1) Wind slammed down from the sky through the ceiling into that quiet room
2) The noise of it begins to attract thousands of people to gather outside of this house where they had just spent the last 10 days praying
3) Flames of fire appeared over the heads of everyone in that room
4) In the shape of a single tongue of fire – very symbolic of what was about to happen
e. Not anything like had even happened before or after
1) This wind was not a meteorological event
2) The flames over the heads of everyone in that room were not natural either
3) Remember when Moses approach a bush that was on fire, but did not burn up?
f. You could not fake this – it was supernatural!
4. A Spirit Filled Event (Acts 2:4)
a. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
b. They were ALL “Filled with the Holy Ghost”
c. THIS is the key phrase
1) The wind didn’t matter
2) The flames didn’t matter
3) But, the FILLING of each believer with the Person and Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit of God!
4) THAT was what mattered!
5. A Prophesied Event - It was prophesied By Joel (jump down to Acts 2:12-21)
a. Acts 2:12,13 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
b. Everyone in the crowd were asking, What does this mean?
1) Some were struggling to make sense of it all
2) Others MOCKED – accused them of being drunk!
c. Peter steps forward…
1) Here is Peter
2) No more fearful – but bold as a lion
d. And he PREACHES – Clearly Explains…
1) Acts 2:14,15 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
2) These are NOT drunken – it is 9am!
3) This miracle is a partial fulfilment of Joel's Prophecy in Joel chapter 2
a) Acts 2:16,17 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days…
b) Peter warned that massive crowd of Jews, We are in the last days now (Acts 2:19-21)
1. The coming of the Messiah has proven it
2. Jacob’s Troubles – the Tribulation is coming
3. NOT in the Tribulation yet, but it is near – 7 years of the worst world-wide disasters ever – listen to Peter’s summary…
4. Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
5. Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
6. Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
7. I will talk more about this prophesy NEXT WEEK – exciting!
4) And this miracle is the Sign of the Pouring out of God’s Spirit before the Tribulation comes
a) Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
b) Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
5) What is Peter’s point?
a) The Day of the Lord is coming soon – the Bible calls it ARMAGEDDON
b) You have one chance to escape the coming judgment
1. Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
2. Not the name of Jehovah
3. But the name of the Lord JESUS!
6. An Important Example - The Day of Pentecost is an example for every church
a. An example of the RESULT of passionate, prayerful, patient desire for the filling of the Holy Spirit - All those 120 believers were filled to the brim with God’s Holy Spirit
b. An example of what a bunch of spirit-filled nobodies can do for the kingdom of God - 3,000 grown men got converted – born again
c. An example of the power that every church needs every day, even TODAY! To live godly, to stay free from the dominion of sin, and to turn our world upside down with the Gospel
B. What is the Filling of the Holy Spirit? (Acts 2:4)
1. THIS is the point of Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit, NOT the speaking in Tongues!
2. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost…
3. First, Who and What is the Holy Spirit?
a. He is God (2Corinthians 13:14)
1) 2Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
2) Just as much as the Father is God, and the Son is God – the three are ONE!
b. He is the third Person of the Trinity – equal with God the Father, and God the Son
1) He is not just a power, or a force, but He is the Person of God the Holy Spirit
2) He has feelings, He has a voice, and a work in your and my salvation
c. He is Unknown to most people – even to Christians!
C. What Does it Mean to be Spirit Filled? (Ephesians 5:18)
1. So many think it means speaking in tongues, or doing miracles… and that many Christians don’t even have the Holy Spirit. But that is not possible (Romans 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
2. Every Believer HAS the Holy Spirit IN them already from when they got saved
a. We all have the presence of the Person of the Holy Spirit in us from the moment we got saved
1) John 3:5,6 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
2) 1Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
b. He is IN us and with us forever (John 14:6) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
3. But FEW Christians are FILLED with Him
4. ALL Christians can be and SHOULD be! (Ephesians 5:18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit
5. It means to be:
a. Completely filled up with, crammed full with the Spirit of God
1) Filled with the PRESENCE of Almighty God – the King of Heaven IN you
a) Not with knowledge, or warm feelings and emotions, or miraculous powers
b) But the PERSON of the Holy Spirit
2) To the point where there is NO room for ME, or the world, or sin, or the devil
3) Just the Spirit of Christ in me
a) Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
b) Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
b. Completely controlled by, completely affected, led/directed by Him
1) Spirit filled men and women have chosen to be YIELDED and obedient to His voice, His work, His influences, and His will for their life
2) What good would a car be, if when you sat down behind the wheel, and it refused to start, or refused to turn in the direction you wanted to go?
c. Overwhelmed by Him
1) No problem, no sorrow, no defeat, no failure can defeat the Holy Spirit of God
2) It is the other way around!
3) He overwhelms all our depression, our past, our sorrows
d. And Enabled / Empowered to do whatever God asks of us
1) He provides the power in us that we can rely upon to live the Christian life - To live free from sin, from guilt, from the past, and free from fear of the future!
2) Oh do you rely upon HIM dear Christian?
3) It is LIKE a hand filling a work glove
a) A work glove by itself CANNOT do anything until filled – it is lifeless
b) But once it is filled, it is limited only by the hand that is filling it!
c) Jesus said in Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
e. THAT is some power!
f. And it is offered to every believer!
1) Acts 1:8 “ye shall receive POWER…”
2) In the same way that the ungodly make alcohol part of their lives on an almost daily basis…
3) We are supposed to make the filling of the Holy Spirit an on-going, constant part of our daily walk now
g. He makes it possible for ANY of us to be forgiven, and accepted by God, and changed for the better (1Corinthians 6:9-11)!
1) 1Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
2) 1Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
3) 1Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
6. That’s what a relationship with the King of Heaven is like, and what the Spirit of God can DO
D. How to become FILLED with the Person of the Holy Spirit?
1. Become Born of Him
a. Everyone has been born into a religion – Jesus said you need to be born again, into faith in HIM!
b. No one is born again by baptism, or by a church, or by your good works and prayers
c. But by broken repentance towards God for your sins
d. And then by believing faith in Jesus Christ
e. And IN He comes! You become a new creature, a new life!
2. DESIRE to be FULL of HIM
a. He does nothing where He is not wanted!
b. Don’t seek to be full of His power
c. But instead, to be full of HIS words, and His will, and His emotions
d. Every morning, ask God to fill you with Himself! Like a car that needs petrol, you and I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God, constantly!
3. YIELD to Him, every day!
a. It is one thing to WANT to filled
b. It is another to actually ALLOW Him to fill you!
c. Get small – step back, and be quiet (especially complaining)
1) Allow Him to take charge of your words, your attitudes, your heart
2) Let HIM be in charge of our words, our thoughts, our reactions, our plans
3) As we get small, and out of the way, and WANT Him to be I charge
4) He will start to fill you
5) As we get quiet, and humbled, and weak, and ashamed of ourselves
6) He will begin to shine, and fill, and empower you
d. Whenever this Book speaks to you, be obedient to His voice
e. Whenever He asks of you to do something, do it
f. Whatever His will is for your life, seek to fulfil it!
g. That is when He will start to fill you
E. Next Week -
What was the Gift of Tongues? And What is this World Coming To?
III. Conclusion
A. Pentecost was…
1. A once-off event in history
a. It happened exactly 50 days after Passover, after the death of Jesus Christ
b. And that was it
c. The cloven tongues of fire have never happened again
d. The Gospel spread into all the world
2. The Coming of the Holy Spirit of God – He is still here today, but not for much longer
3. The Signal that the Day of the Lord is nearly here
4. Are you ready?
a. You have one chance to escape the coming judgment…
b. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”
B. Experiencing the fullness of the Spirit of God is needed by every Christian still today – to be filled with the Holy Spirit again and again!
1. No longer living by the abilities of the flesh
2. But by the power of the presence of the Holy Spirit of God that is now IN them