THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH (Acts 2:1-41)
Lesson objectives:
Relate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during
Pentecost.
Explain the meaning of the symbolism used in
the story.
Explain the significance of the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit.
Outline Peter’s first sermon.
Explain the impact of Peter’s first sermon to the
growth of the church.
Explain the lessons drawn from the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit and Peter’s sermon.
Analyze the character of Peter and the
audience.
RECAP
Expected response
Yes, I think Christians still have the characteristics of the
early church …
Sharing is still done – Christian charity organizations.
Preaching of the gospel.
Praying together – private and public prayers.
However, some may argue that Christians no longer
have the characteristics of the early church…
Inequality in churches today.
Christians no longer devoted to prayer.
Preaching no longer for soul winning but a competition
for membership.
Background of Pentecost
One of the three major Jewish pilgrim festivals.
Pentecost was celebrated fifty days after the
Passover (derived from the Greek ‘Pentekoste’)
Also known as the Feast of Weeks – thanksgiving
ceremony for the harvest of the first fruits.
Jews celebrated the end of the wheat harvest.
Jewish pilgrims came to Jerusalem for the festival.
Compulsory for everyone to attend; male or female,
even visitors and foreigners.
People brought gifts as offering to God- first fruits of
their produce to the temple priests.
Later on this day, the Jews commemorated the giving
of the Law of Moses (Exodus 16:16-19).
INTRODUCTION
Jesus’ promise – The Great Commission (1:8).
Pentecost as a first fulfilment of the promise.
Storyline (Acts 2:1-13)
The believers were all together in the Upper Room.
Sound came from heaven; like a rush of mighty wind.
Tongues of fire fell on each of the disciples.
They spoke in different languages (tongues) –
Glossolalia (Greek word for speaking in tongues:
glossa – tongue or language…- laleo – to speak, talk,
chat or make a sound)
Multitudes’ reaction – perplexed, some suspected
the believers were drunk.
Symbolism
WIND
Has creative power ( Genesis 2:7).
Revives or gives life (Ezekiel 37:9-14).
Makes one fit for a task/arms with power (Acts 2:2)
FIRE
Symbolises the divine presence of God (Exodus 19:18).
Purifies and makes one fit for service ( Acts 2:3).
Symbolises divine judgement (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
A symbol of unity and understanding between all races and
nations.
Symbolic of the worldwide work they were to do (1:8).
NB: A reversal of the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel
(Gen 11:1-9).
Significance of Pentecost
Fulfilment of Jesus’ promise.
Brought gifts which enabled the
apostles to preach the gospel with
boldness.
Marks the birth of the Christian
church.
Peter’s first sermon (2:14-41)
Time of the day (Acts 2:14-15)
3rd hour of the day (9 in the morning).
No Jew would break the fast so early.
Fulfillment of prophecy (Acts 2:16-21)
Joel 2:28-32, God would pour out His spirit upon all
flesh.
Regardless of gender, age, social status, race;
everyone shall receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 2:22-24)
Jews with the Roman authorities killed Jesus.
God raised him from the dead.
David foresaw and spoke of the resurrection (Psalm
16:9-11).
Peter’s first sermon(cont’d)
David’s prophecy about the Messiah (Acts 2:25-34)
In Psalm 110, David prophesied about Jesus as the
Messiah.
David knew that his descendant would be the
Messiah.
Jesus is Lord and the Messiah (Acts 2:35-36)
Prophets wrote and foretold the resurrection and the
apostles witnessed it.
His resurrection made him Lord and Messiah.
God exalted Jesus and made him Lord and Saviour.
The significance of Peter’s sermon
Justifies the actions of the disciples of Jesus.
Provides proof of the Messiahship of Jesus.
Demonstrates the boldness that Peter
developed after receiving the Holy Spirit.
Brought clarity to some OT texts.
Numerical growth of the church.
Christian church was established
Set a clear standard of how to become a
Christian
Why Peter referred to OT scriptures
His audience was largely Jewish, so they
related to the OT scriptures.
Jews looked forward to the Messianic age-
only OT scriptures would convince them that
Jesus was the Messiah.
Most Jews held King David in high esteem.
Reactions to Peter’s sermon
Pierced in their heart
Asked what to do
3000 repented and were baptized
Devoted to Apostle’s teachings
Lessons learnt
Peter’s first sermon
Christians should be bold and defend the
faith.
Be knowledgeable with scripture.
Christians should preach the gospel and
win souls.
Characterization
Peter
Bold / Courageous
Assertive /Non - apologetic
Eloquent - knowledgeable of OT.
Persuasive
Strategic
Audience
Rude
Judgemental
Repentant – receptive of the word .
Assessment
Study the source below and answer the
questions that follow:
ASSESSMENT
(a) (i) Give an account of the event shown in the
source. (6)
(ii) Explain the meaning of the symbols used
in the event shown in the source. (6)
(b) Do you think the event shown in the source
has an impact on the way Christians live? Give
reasons for your answer and show you have
thought about different points of view. (8)
