ACTSEKKLESIA EMPOWERED

LESSON NO. TWO40 DAYS + PENTECOST

EKKLESIAIs a word that means “assembly.”The church is an

assembly of God’s people with a purpose to teach,inspire, and lead others to faith in Jesus Christ. The Book of Acts shows us what the Assembly can do when they are empowered by God to

reach out into the whole world.

INTRODUCTIONChapters 1 + 2 give us a look at the time Jesus

spent with His disciples following the resurrection and the “birth” of the Church at Pentecost.

It shows the promise and delivery of the Holy Spirit and the very first sermon and it’s fallout.

40 DAYS (CH 1)1:1-3

These 40 days represent the time Jesus appeared to His disciples to leave no doubt that He really

was alive again.

1:4-8 Their baptism was foreshadowed by

John the Baptist (see Luke 3:16).

40 DAYS (1)1:9-11

This scene really presents Jesus’ power and glory in the flesh one last time. Angels again told spectators

Jesus wasn’t there (see Lk 24:4-5).

1:12-14 The list of 11 Apostles and friends mentions Jesus’

earthly brothers among the group.

40 DAYS (1)1:15-26

Matthias was selected by God even though lots were cast (see Prov 16:33). Judas was replaced

not because of his death, but because of his defection. James was not replaced after his death

in 12:2 because his death was “in the Lord.”

PENTECOST (CH 2)2:1-4

Pentecost was celebrated 50 days following the Passover. The Holy Spirit descended (or arrived)

with power. Note that the presence of fireonce again represents God’s message

and divine orders to His servant, just like Moses in the wilderness and the burning bush

(see Exodus 3:2-5).

PENTECOST (2)2:5-13

The crowd, made up of Jews and pilgrims from all across the world are amazed at the events.

These “devout men” would have been scattered Jews and proselytes (like the Ethiopian Eunuch).

The Apostles had command of everylanguage represented.

PENTECOST (2)2:14-40

Four things are found in early Apostolic preaching:

1 Age of Fulfillment is at hand (14-21)2 Summary of Jesus (22-24, 29-36)

3 OT Justification (25-28)4 A Call to Repentance (37-40)

PENTECOST (2)2:41-47

The early church possessed four qualities (in abundance):

1 Apostolic Teaching (42-43)2 Mutual Fellowship (44-45)3 Constant Edification (46)4 Exponential Growth (47)

THEMESChristianity isn’t a new innovation but instead the

proper fulfillment of Israel’s religion and responsibility towards God.

THEMESSermons will continue to a big part of God’s

message to the world.