Just seven days after Jesus’ ascension, Pentecost, a Jewish covenant celebration and feast, drew large crowds to Jerusalem from all over. Who could have imagined that this would be the day God’s promise of sending the Spirit would be fulfilled? Luke’s account of the preaching and power at Pentecost in Acts 2, teaches that Jesus is the Messiah, and that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved!

Main Points

• Jesus is both Lord (God), and the Christ (the anointed one, the Messiah, Acts 2:36).
• Jesus was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh suffer decay (Acts 2:24, 31).

• Jesus appeared after his death, burial, and resurrection to many eye witnesses: Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Joanna, Cephas, then to the Twelve, then to more than 500 brothers and sisters, then to James, then to all the apostles, and then to Paul (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 2:32, 1 Corinthians 15:1-7). 
• Jesus’ bodily resurrection proves he is both Lord and Messiah.

Main Points

• On the day of Pentecost, God, the Holy Spirit, came as promised filling Galilean women and men and enabling them to declare the wonders of God in others peoples’ native tongues.
• People observing this heckled the worshippers and teased them.
• Peter responded by declaring the bodily resurrection of Jesus the Christ and reminding those listening that God promised to pour out his Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit is our seal of salvation, and appeals to all who hear to repent from sin and to trust in Jesus as the Lord of their lives (Eph 1:13-14).
• Peter teaches that speaking in tongues fulfills Joel’s message about the Spirit of prophecy. This means the Messiah has come. 
• Peter also argues that King David’s closing lines of Psalm 16 offer a prophecy of his descendant—the Holy One—whose body, unlike David’s, would not be abandoned and who would overcome decay. 
• Peter connects Psalm 16 with Psalm 110, a clear messianic passage, to further teach that Jesus is the risen Messiah and Lord. 
• As people heard this teaching, they were “cut to the heart,” and asked “what shall we do?” 
• Peter instructs the people how to call on the name of the Lord (vs. 21), which is by turning away from sin, and being baptized in Jesus’ name. 
• People learn that Jesus is Christ, Jesus is King, and Jesus is the Savior.
• We are not capable of saving ourselves. Only the Messiah can rescue us from the powers of sin and death.
• All those who call upon his name will be saved (Acts 2:21, Joel 2:28-32).
• The promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far off (Acts 2:39). 
• Those who repented, God changed. Awe remained as they shared meals together, learned together, and took care of others with gladness and sincerity.
• We can confess that Jesus is Lord, believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and begin to trust him with our lives. 
• Jesus restores lives now.

Questions for Personal Application:

• What does it mean to you that Jesus is Lord and the Christ? (That Jesus is God, and that Jesus is the Messiah—Savior of the world?) Journal and pray about God’s attitude toward you—his love for you. 
• If you do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior, seek out a trusted friend to connect and ask questions. 
• Take time to lament where the powers of death have caused pain, loss, or brokenness in your life. Take time to lament sin and to confess and repent (turn away from it and toward Jesus). Try finding a trustworthy friend to share with and to pray (James 5:16). 

Discussion Questions for Community Groups:

• Share with one another where you have seen God at work in your life to change you, to bring you closer to wholeness, and to live a life that trusts Jesus.
• Jesus asked a disciple, “Who do you say I am?” Talk together about who Jesus is.  
• Read Acts 2:42-47 together. Talk together about this radical lifestyle that came about as a result of the outpouring of the Spirit. Talk together about the fellowship that happens around a table, and consider ways all needs could be met in your circles because of your own radical generosity in the power of the Spirit. 

Passages Referenced

Acts 2

Worship Setlist

Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (He Is Not Dead); It Was Finished Upon That Cross; Because He Lives; Thank You Jesus for The Blood; Doxology (Amen); Holy Forever; All Hail King Jesus