Sermon Acts 2:1-13 The Meaning of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13Acts 2:1-13The Meaning of PentecostThe Meaning of Pentecost

Sermon by Rodney TanSermon by Rodney TanSunday 25/1/2015Sunday 25/1/2015

Melaka Gospel ChapelMelaka Gospel Chapel

Outline Acts 2:1-13Outline Acts 2:1-13• Introduction Introduction • 1.1. God’s Plan God’s Plan – Form His Church through the – Form His Church through the Holy Spirit (v1-8)Holy Spirit (v1-8)• 2.2. God’s Power God’s Power – Reach All Nations through – Reach All Nations through the Holy Spirit (9-11)the Holy Spirit (9-11)• 3.3. God’s Purpose God’s Purpose – Be Glorified in All the – Be Glorified in All the Nations through the Holy Spirit (v11-13)Nations through the Holy Spirit (v11-13)• Conclusion Conclusion

IntroductionIntroduction

• Last week: Mission Unstoppable• 1. The Gospel According to Christ (v1-8)• 2. The Ascension of Christ (v9-11)• 3. The Apostles of Christ (v12-26)• Application• - Experiencing the power of the Spirit• - Depending on God in Prayer• - Surprised by God

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Pentecost – Birthday of the Church

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Acts 2.2-4: the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Pentecost attracted Jews from all over the world to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual festival. Those who heard the apostles' message in their native languages at Pentecost came from various regions within the two great competing empires of the day—the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire—with Jerusalem near the center.

IntroductionIntroduction

• “What does this mean?” (v12)• Jesus Christ instructs Disciples to wait in

Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8)

• Acts 2 must be interpreted as a special historical event – new period of God’s dealings with His people

• Pentecost is the start of the age of the Holy Spirit

The meaning of Pentecost …The meaning of Pentecost …

• is God equipping His church with the is God equipping His church with the power of the His Spirit so that He will power of the His Spirit so that He will be glorified among the nations.be glorified among the nations.

• The point of Pentecost is MISSIONThe point of Pentecost is MISSION• The goal of MISSION is that the earth The goal of MISSION is that the earth

will be filled with the knowledge of will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God (Hab 2:1the glory of God (Hab 2:14)4)

1.1. God’s Plan – Form a Church God’s Plan – Form a Church Through the Holy Spirit (v1-8)Through the Holy Spirit (v1-8)

• We must understand the Jewish Feast of Pentecost

• Outpouring of the Holy Spirit• Formation of the Church made up of Jews &

Gentiles• Paul – “a mystery” (Eph 3:4-7)• Purpose of the church – to spread the

knowledge of God to all nations

2.2. God’s Power – Reach All Nations God’s Power – Reach All Nations Through the Holy Spirit (9-11)Through the Holy Spirit (9-11)

• Long list of nations mentioned (v9-11)• “Men from every nation under heavenMen from every nation under heaven” (v5)• “Devout menDevout men” – did not know that the Messiah

had come & had been sacrified• Peter will preach the 1st sermon to them

COMPARE:COMPARE:• Nations mentioned in Tower of Babel (Gen 10)• Babel tongues caused confusion


• Gift of speaking in tongues – special miracle to show God’s purpose in bringing the Gospel to all the nations

• But since then, missionaries (even Pentecostal) must struggle to learn the foreign languages in places they go.

• God’s plan is no longer with the Jews but for all nations (Rev 5:9)

• Q: How can we fulfil God’s plan?


• The key: the Holy Spirit• Before Pentecost – Holy Spirit did not

permanently dwell in all believers (Ps 51:11; Luke 11:13)

• After Pentecost – disciples were baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5) – Jesus promise

Terms Used to Describe the Holy Terms Used to Describe the Holy Spirit’s Relation With ChristiansSpirit’s Relation With Christians

• “Baptized by the Holy SpiritBaptized by the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5)= totally identified with the Spirit (1 Cor 12:13)= ONE time event

• “Be filled with the Hoy SpiritBe filled with the Hoy Spirit” (Eph 5:18) = to be controlled by the Spirit

= REPEATED happenings

Terms Used to Describe the Holy Spirit’s Relation With Christians

• Outpouring of the Spirit at PentecostOutpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost :i) sound of violent rushing windii) visible sign of tongues of fire resting on

each personiii) miraculous speaking in foreign languages

which none had previously learned

Should We Speak in Tongues?

• No command to seek the “baptism of the baptism of the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit”

• But we are commanded to be “filled with the filled with the SpiritSpirit” – evidence is the fruits of the Spirit fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:16-23; Col 1:9-12)

• 1) Genuine gift of tongues is the ability to speak in a foreign language that we have never studied – not gibberish

Should We Speak in Tongues?• 2) We are never commanded or encouraged to seek the gift of tongues :

- Holy Spirit distributes gifts as He wills (1 Cor.12:11)

- earnestly seek the greater gifts ( 1 Cor 12:31)• 3) Tongues were given in the early church to confirm the apostolic witness but faded as time when on (Heb 2:3-4)

Should We Speak in Tongues?

• 4) The meaning of Pentecost – Holy Spirit given to Church to bear witness to the nations for God’s glory.

3. God’s Purpose – Be Glorified Among All 3. God’s Purpose – Be Glorified Among All Nations Through the Holy Spirit (v11-13)Nations Through the Holy Spirit (v11-13)

• Jews from all nations heard the disciples “speaking of the mighty deeds of God”(2:11)

• Later Peter preach the gospel & 3,000 souls converted

• Goal of gospel = glory of God• Nations worshipping the Lord (Rev 5)• Make it our vision as well• Even fantastic miracles will not convince

mockers

Recap Acts 2:1-13 :Recap Acts 2:1-13 :• 1.1. God’s Plan God’s Plan – Form His Church through the – Form His Church through the Holy Spirit (v1-8)Holy Spirit (v1-8)• 2.2. God’s Power God’s Power – Reach All Nations through – Reach All Nations through the Holy Spirit (9-11)the Holy Spirit (9-11)• 3.3. God’s Purpose God’s Purpose – Be Glorified in All the – Be Glorified in All the Nations through the Holy Spirit (v11-13)Nations through the Holy Spirit (v11-13)• Conclusion Conclusion

Conclusion:

• At Pentecost = God equipped His Church with At Pentecost = God equipped His Church with the Holy Spiritthe Holy Spirit

• Why? We would be His witnesses to ALL the Why? We would be His witnesses to ALL the nationsnations

• Result? His eternal glory in all nationsResult? His eternal glory in all nations

Reflection:Reflection:• 1. Are our focus on God’s glory in all things?• 2. Are we passionate that nations will glorify God when we preach the Gospel?• 3. Is our normal everyday life dependent on the Holy Spirit?• 4. Is our daily desire to be a testimony of Christ to our non-Christian friends?

The meaning of Pentecost …The meaning of Pentecost …

• is God is God equipping His church equipping His church with the with the power of the His Spirit power of the His Spirit so that so that He will He will be glorified among the nationsbe glorified among the nations..

• IllusIllus: What a Tragedy! (John Piper): What a Tragedy! (John Piper)

Spiritual

Sermon Acts 2:1-13 The Meaning of Pentecost