Coming of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1 - Question:  who is all? 
                Answer:  probably the 120 spoken of in Chapter 1.  Probably included, besides the disciples, Mary, Jesus' mother, Jesus' brothers, etc.

Looking back:  - been a lot going on in Jerusalem in the past 2 months:
                    * Jesus enters city with great celebration
                    * Jesus betrayed and sold out
                    * Jesus on trial, beaten
                    * Jesus crucified - "It is finished" = veil in temple torn in two
                    * Jesus resurrected
                    * appears to 2 on road to Emmaus
                    * with disciples 40 days, the the Ascension

Acts 2:2-3 -  Now, God going to begin an amazing work - something new.
A)  Violent, mighty wind - not warm summer breeze
B)  Tongues of fire -  Exodus 3 - God spoke from burning bush;  led Israelites by pillars of fire at night

Through these physical signs God's appearance was known, and Holy Spirit began amazing work - Jesus promised before his ascension in Acts 1, and John 14.

Acts 2:4-12 - taking place after the above happenings

Acts 2:4-6 - Spirit gave believers tongues = act of God.  Holy Spirit speaking through them.  Talking about other known languages - vs. 6
(Greek word for tongues used in Acts 2:4 can be translated as languages and is same word used for tongues throughout the book of Acts.)

Acts 2:5-12 - Jews from all over back in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, and now, 7 weeks later, are celebrating Moses given the Law (Torah) at Mt. Sinai.  Were devout men who feared the Lord.  Basically all know world had people in town who had been waiting for the promised Messiah. 
So... was amazing time for God to send His Holy Spirit, and then the ability to hear the gospel message in their own language.

Interesting side note:  In Genesis 11, people of the earth rebelled against God at the tower of Babel.   At that point, God confuses their language and scatters them across the face of the earth. 
In next chapter, chooses Abraham and sets him apart for Himself to make him a great nation.

Now in Acts 2, God is bringing it all back together and fulfilling the promise He made to Abraham long ago.

Of course, when God does something amazing, always have some skeptics, naysayers, mockers.
Vs. Acts 2:13 - "they were filled with new wine".  Said they were drunk.  How ridiculous.  Never in history has someone, uneducated, gotten drunk and learned a new language.  It doesn't work. If it did, we'd probably have more bi-lingual people in our midst.
What God says in Rom. 1:18 - "who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."

APPLICATION:

Point 1:  Don't harden your heart.  Heb. 3:7-8 - "...... if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts ...."
                                                     2 Pet. 3:9 - "... Lord is not slow to fulfill  his promise, .... not wishing that any should perish."

God = loving, merciful, patient God.  You can't outrun Him, and your arms are too short to swing at Him.
Instead, respond to what He is calling you to do.  And, know, eventually may run out of chances to repent, to follow, to respond.  

Acts 2:14-15 - Peter about to courageously stand up and deliver powerful sermon.   Isn't it amazing that this is the same Peter who denied Christ 3 times 50 days before.

Point 2:  God uses a repentant heart - John 21:15-17
Now to the sermon:
Acts 2:16-21 - Quick Note:  is debate over this passage.  Peter quoting from prophet Joel.  Making it very clear, prophecy being fulfilled before they eyes = outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Language sounds very similar to Matt. 24 and Revelation.  Thus the debate.  Was this fulfilled here at Pentecost, or will it also have complete fulfillment at the end of time?    Or, is the language here being used to describe judgment that all took place in first century.  Answer:  "I don't know".

Acts 2:22-23 - quick note:  is amazing how God can use evil men with evil intent to accomplish a good thing.
If there had been no crucifixion and no resurrection, we would still be in our sin.  Was God's plan to accomplish this righteous thing, yet, evil men with evil intentions accomplished that.  

Acts 2:24-36 - Rest of Peter's sermon.  Peter gets straight to the scripture, briefly explains it, and then says, "You are all guilty!"  - And, IT WAS EFFECTIVE!!  God uses His Spirit to teach us His word to point us to His Son and He does it for His glory!!!

Our responsibility:
Point #3.  Speak the Truth of God's Word - Rom. 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel......."
Heb. 4:12 - "the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. ........."

Don't water the message down, don't sugarcoat it.  Just share it with love.  God will take care of the rest.

Let's see how the people responded to the message: 
Acts 2:37-41