Acts 2: Pentecostal Outpouring
On a previous day when a replacement for Judas was made, 120 people were gathered. Five hundred saw Jesus at one time. The Bible doesn’t say how many were gathered in the Temple on the day of Pentecost. How many followers of Jesus do you think were there? Why?
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King James
For many, prayer is asking God to give them what they want. Jesus says we don’t have to worry about God meeting our needs and the apostle Paul says God will be extravagant in providing for us. If the people in prayer were not asking God for stuff, what might they have been saying?
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King James
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was visible (tongues of fire) and audible (sound of violent wind). For uninvolved visitors present, what do you think the reaction might be to what they first saw and heard?
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King James
The Holy Spirit miraculously produced words in languages that the followers of Jesus didn’t know. Since this had never happened before, they could not have anticipated this happening. What do you think might have been going through their minds at this time?
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King James
Jewish pilgrims from many foreign nations were amazed to hear local people speaking a language other than Aramaic. Why was this amazing?
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King James
At least a dozen areas with different languages are identified. There may have been many more. To what extent might the speakers have moved toward different nationalities so one language would be distinguished above the others?
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King James
When the seemingly impossible happens, we are mystified and want to know how this is possible. Drinking vodka doesn’t help people speak Russian? Why do you think drinking wine was offered as a plausible explanation for speaking a foreign language?
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King James
Peter said it was too early in the day for anyone to be drinking. Does presenting the truth become easier after ruling out incorrect assumptions? Why?
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King James
How do you think Peter was able to connect this event with the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy?
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King James
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit marks the end of the “former days” and the beginning of the “last days.” The “last day” hasn’t come after more than two thousand years, suggesting a high probability that we won’t see it in our lifetime. Why might it be dangerous to think that way?
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King James
The Old Testament records many individuals giving prophecy, having revelations, and describing visions. The prophet Joel had predicted the last days a spiritual outpouring upon “all flesh.” How was this different from what had been happening before?
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King James
Before the “last day,” we’ll see numerous wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and storms, eclipses and blood moons. What do you think it means to “call upon the name of the Lord” to be saved?
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King James
Many among the crowd had come from other nations, yet Peter said they knew about Jesus. How do you suppose they knew?
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King James
To support the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, Peter quoted from one of David’s songs. Why was that important for this audience?
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King James
What is the value of having many eyewitnesses?
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King James
How did Peter know that Jesus had sent the Holy Spirit?
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King James
In our culture, some people have little respect for our leaders. In what ways did this differ from people in the first century who served their lords and kings?
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King James
What percentage of the audience do you think had any direct involvement in the crucifixion of Jesus?
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King James
The people were in Jerusalem and had come to the Temple for worship and prayer, seeing themselves as obedient followers of God. After seeing the manifestation of the Holy Spirit and hearing Peter, what was their motivation in asking Peter what they should do?
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King James
What did Peter say would come after people repented and were baptized?
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King James
For whose benefit had God’s promises been made?
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King James
Peter admonished the Jews to forsake their corrupt culture. In what ways might they have regarded their culture as corrupt?
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King James
The only bodies of water in the area were the public Bethesda and Siloam pools. What do you think the social impact was, when the community saw three thousand people being baptized there?
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King James
Peter said those who were baptized would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. How might that experience have resembled or been different from what took place in the Temple?
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King James
What did the new followers of Jesus do after they were baptized?
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King James
The Greek apostolos can refer to anyone sent with a message. Jesus said that miraculous signs would follow those who believed and were baptized. Do you think the miracles were worked only through the twelve, or other messengers as well? Why?
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King James
What changes were seen in the behavior of these new followers of Jesus?
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King James
Selling assets and giving it all to help others became a common, if not expected, practice among the believers. How great do you think their sacrifices were, and for what reward did they give it?