Acts Chapter 2

SECTION OUTLINE TWO (ACTS 2)

The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost and fills the believers. Peter, who once denied the Savior out of fear, now preaches boldly to a huge crowd, sharing the gospel. Many respond to his message by believing in Christ, and the new church begins to grow.

I. The Cloven Tongues (2:1–4)

A. The sounds at Pentecost (2:1–2): Sound like a mighty wind from heaven fills the upper room.

B. The sights at Pentecost (2:3): Tongues of fire appear and settle on the heads of the believers.

C. The speeches at Pentecost (2:4): They all begin to speak in other languages.

II. The Crowd (2:5–11)

A. The men in this crowd (2:5): Jews have come from over a dozen foreign countries to attend the Feast of Pentecost.

B. The marvel by this crowd (2:6–11): They are amazed to hear their own languages being spoken by the apostles!

III. The Confusion (2:12–13)

A. The people in the crowd ask each other, “What can this mean?” (2:12).

B. Some of them say, “They’re drunk, that’s all!” (2:13).

IV. The Clarification (2:14–21)

A. The speaker (2:14): Peter addresses the crowd.

B. The statement (2:15): “Some of you are saying these people are drunk. It isn’t true!”

C. The Scriptures (2:16–21): Peter tells the crowd that the prophet Joel foretold all this (see Joel 2:28–32).

1. Joel wrote concerning the Spirit of God (2:16–18): The Spirit would be poured out on all people.

2. Joel wrote concerning the signs of God (2:19–20).

a. Blood, fire, and smoke on earth (2:19)

b. The darkening of the sun and moon in the heavens (2:20)

3. Joel wrote concerning the salvation of God (2:21): Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

V. The Condemnation (2:22–28): Peter now stresses two points:

A. The Messiah was crucified by his foes (2:22–23): Both the Jewish nation and the Roman government are guilty of this crime.

B. The Messiah was resurrected by his Father (2:24–28).

1. The significance (2:24): It is impossible for death to keep Jesus in its grip!

2. The Scriptures (2:25–28): Centuries ago David predicted this (see Ps. 16:8–11).

VI. The Twofold Conclusion (2:29–36)

A. Concerning Jesus’ resurrection (2:29–32): David must have had the Messiah’s resurrection in mind, for he himself died and was buried.

B. Concerning Jesus’ exaltation (2:33–36): Inasmuch as David never ascended into heaven to sit on his throne, he is referring to Jesus in Psalm 110:1.

VII. The Conviction (2:37): God’s Spirit now stirs the people’s sinful hearts.

VIII. The Commands (2:38–39): Peter tells the crowd that they must do two things.

A. “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God” (2:38a).

B. “Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (2:38b–39).

IX. The Challenge (2:40): Peter urges his listeners to accept Christ.

X. The Conversions (2:41): Three thousand people believe and are baptized!

XI. The Communion (2:42–47): The newly formed church now involves itself in several activities.

A. Bible study (2:42a)

B. Prayer and worship (2:42d, 45–46a, 47a)

C. Fellowship (2:42b)

D. Sharing and caring (2:44, 46c, 47b)

E. The Lord’s Supper (2:42c, 46b)

F. Signs and wonders (2:43)