Pentecost

Acts 2

Pentecost

Matt Williams Updated Staff Photo

Matt Williams

Teaching Pastor; Staff Governing Elder; Staff Director

At Pentecost, the Church is born and God’s Spirit comes to live in and among his people. Instead of traveling to a sacred space, believers everywhere become the sacred space. Those who repent and trust Jesus have a Guide and Advocate living within them.

Application

  1. The Holy Spirit often redirects our choices. Have you ever thought you were headed one way and then the Spirit revealed a different path? What was that like?

  2. Reflect on Acts 2:42–47. In what ways does your community look like this? What is missing? What steps can you take to help build this kind of community?

Key Points

  • Because the Holy Spirit is spiritual and not material, he can be with all believers around the world simultaneously. This is why Jesus had to leave earth.

  • When the Holy Spirit descends, fire divides among the believers and creates diversity. Yet ultimately, unity flows out of this diversity as they all praise God.

  • Our worldview should be shaped by the reality that we are God’s children, led by his Spirit. He gives us gifts, reveals truth, guides, and strengthens us.

  • Repentance is essential to receiving the Holy Spirit. If we do not have the Holy Spirit in us, then we don’t have a relationship with Jesus.

Other Scripture References

John 16:6–7

Genesis 11

Joel 2

Romans 8:14

Romans 12

1 Corinthians 12

Ephesians 4

Galatians 5

1 Peter 3
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