The Early Church

1. The Early Church Part 3: The Grand Opening

2. Recap • Jesus the Founder – The son of God proclaimed to Peter that upon him, Jesus would build his church. Jesus then commissioned all believers to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all people. • Jesus’ Business Plan – The disciples were told not to leave Jerusalem until they received the expected gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift, Jesus had told them about would give them power from on high.

3. Intro • Today: The Grand Opening: The awaited gift of the Holy Spirit to come to man! • The anticipation of the disciples was mounting. In obedience to Jesus, they had stayed in Jerusalem after the Passover to wait for the Holy Spirit to come.

4. While waiting they had gathered to celebrate the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. This feast was observed to celebrate the first harvest and to remember the bondage they once were in while in Egypt.

5. Acts 2:1-11 Acts 2:1-11 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. (2) Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. (4) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

6. (5) Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. (6) When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. (7) Utterly amazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? (8) Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

7. (9) Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, (10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (11) (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"

8. God’s timing is always perfect: He presented his son to the world right when we needed him most. Then, he sends his Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Christianity was birthed, just like the fruit and grain at harvest. Followers of Jesus are God’s first-fruits, his best. Just like the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt and delivered by God through Moses; so were we in bondage with our sin until God sent his son Jesus to deliver us. How beautiful!

9. Pause video and discuss Can you think of a time when you had to wait for God's perfect timing? Maybe you had to ask him to intervene in a situation or change a circumstance and it seemed you were waiting forever.

10. The promised gift had come!

11. What a grand entrance • Blowing, Violent Wind • Tongues of fire resting on everyone • People began speaking in other languages Jesus’ Business Plan for the salvation of the world involved equipping saints.

12. The Holy Spirit’s grand entrance did not differentiate, or discriminate between believers. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

13. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. This enabled the followers to have the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives so that they could carry out Jesus’ plan to save mankind.

14. What this means for us today Acts 2:38-41

15. Acts 2:38-41 Acts 2:38-41 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." (40) With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." (41) Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

16. Peter was explaining to the onlookers what was happening. We all can receive this gift all we need to do is : • Repent – turn from our sin by seeking Jesus’ forgiveness • Baptized – Let the world know you love Jesus by symbolizing being dead to sin, or your old self (going into the water) and becoming new in Jesus (coming up out of the water). • Receive – The gift of the Holy Spirit is yours, just embrace it!

17. Pause video and discuss Have you ever attempted to achieve a task but was unable to because you did not have the right tool or knowledge? If so, how did the task you were attempting change once you had what you needed to complete it?

18. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do many things that we cannot in our own strength: • Speak with boldness • Pray with power • Have discernment • Have faith that moves mountains • Have joy in the midst of mourning • Faith in the midst of trials • Hope in the midst of persecution • The power to live in victory in insurmountable circumstances

19. The purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not for self-fulfillment but instead to carry out his plan to save the world so that they might spend eternity with Jesus. Remember: our purpose as believers is not to only live righteous lives but to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel”.

20. With the Holy Spirit, we can fulfill this Great Commission. We can speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, love the unlovable, tell the good news of Jesus to a lost and dying world.