Let me explain thisto you, listen carefully

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – July 4, 2021

Series Title: The Church Begins

Today’s Title: “Let me explain this to you; listen carefully”

Today’s Text: Acts 2:1-21

 

WHAT ACTS 2 DOESN’T SAY ABOUT THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• THERE WAS VIOLENT WIND – It was only a SOUND LIKE a violent wind (v2)

 

• ACTUAL TONGUES OF FIRE – It only SEEMED like tongues of fire (v3)

 

• ONLY THE 12 APOSTLES RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – It just says ALL OF THEM (v4)

 

• THIS EVENT WAS A REVERSAL OF THE TOWER OF BABEL (Genesis 11:1-9) – Peter didn’t say that

 

• THE SPEAKING IN TONGUES (IN ACTS 2) WAS A SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE
  1. OTHER (known) languages (v4)
  2. The crowd that gathered heard THEIR OWN language (v6)
  3. OUR NATIVE language (v7)
  4. This is NOT the same as what Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 12-14

 

• A PERSON CAN BE “DRUNK WITH THE SPIRIT” – there is no so such thing in the Bible
  1. Some in the crowd were making fun of them (v13)
  2. Peter made light of that accusation (v15)
  3. Ephesians 5:18 does NOT say “drunk in/with the Spirit”

 

• EVERYONE WHO RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL SPEAK IN TONGUES – 3000 people were saved that day, no mention of them “speaking in tongues” either when they believed (v38-39)

 

WHAT ACTS 2 DOES SAY ABOUT THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

• THE SUDDEN ABILITY TO SPEAK IN OTHER (KNOWN) LANGUAGES WAS A MIRACULOUS WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (v4) – “as the Spirit enabled them”

 

• PETER CAREFULLY DESCRIBES WHAT IS GOING ON
  1. The crowd asks; “What does this mean?” (v12)
  2. Peter replies; (let me explain this to you, listen carefully”

 

• PETER USES THE SCRIPTURES TO EXPLAIN THIS EVENT - Joel 2:28-32
  1. The “last days” began on that day (v17)
  2. The Spirit of God is available to all people (v17)
  3. Dreams, visions, and prophesying are some of the ways the Spirit works (v17-18)
     1. Dreams and visions – be open, but be careful
     2. “prophesy” brings strength, courage, and comfort to others. (1 Corinthians 14:3)
  4. Wonders in heaven and earth (v19) how literal?
  5. AN OPEN INVITATION FOR SALVATION TO “EVERYONE”

THIS IS THE GREATEST MEANING OF PENTECOST!