Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 13, 2016
“Supernatural Churchbirth” Acts 2:1-15 Bible Study 03/13/16
This morning’s text focuses on the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the early church. This event stands as a powerful fulfillment of that “promise of the Father” for which the apostles were to wait in Jerusalem (Acts 1:4-5). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is a unique historical event which marks the supernatural birth and empowerment of the church.
I. Look at the location (1)
-context: promise/ascension/selection of Matthias
-Jerusalem: according to the promise
-in one place: about 120 (Acts 1:15)
II. Observe the manifestation (2-3)
-sound…wind…filled (hearing)
-sight…tongues of fire…distributed (seeing)
-supernatural indicators
III. Recognize the verification (4-12)
-filled with the Holy Spirit
-tongues-“glossa”-languages in this context
-empowered by the Holy Spirit-supernatural enablement
-response of bewilderment and amazement
-roll-call with an “all the known world” emphasis
-Language/Babel connection and significance (Genesis 11)
IV. Consider the explanation (13-15)
-accusation of drunkenness
-Peter’s 9:00 a.m. response
-Joel 2:28-32 fulfillment (Acts 2: 16-21)
V. So what?
– Because of the fulfilled promise of the Holy Spirit, the church is equipped supernaturally for the task of transmitting gospel truth.
– Remember, we go forward with the Lord’s power and presence.
– Magnify the supernatural nature of the gospel.
– Invest in Kingdom expansion!
– “When anemic sermons are red again with the crimson blood of Jesus…showers of revival fire and blessing will again fall in America.” (Bill Piper)
– “Joy of the desolate, light of the straying, hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure! Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying, ‘Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure.’” (T. Moore)
– “How sweet and awesome is this place with Christ within the doors, While everlasting love displays the choicest of her stores. We long to see Thy churches full, That all the chosen race may with one voice and heart and soul, Sing Thy redeeming grace.” (I. Watts)
