Acts 2:1-21

Read Acts 2:1-13

Read the following quote from N.T. Wright about the historical context of Pentecost:

Pentecost was the fiftieth day after Passover. It was an agricultural festival. It was the day when farmers brought the first sheaf of wheat from the crop, and offered it to God, partly as a sign of gratitude and partly as a prayer that all the rest of the crop, too, would be safely gathered in. But, for the Jew, neither Passover nor Pentecost were simply agricultural festivals. These festivals awakened echoes of the great story which dominated the long memories of the Jewish people, the story of the Exodus from Egypt, when God fulfilled his promises to Abraham by rescuing his people. Passover was the time when the lambs were sacrificed, and the Israelites were saved from the avenging angel who slew the firstborn of the Egyptians. Off went the Israelites that very night, and passed through the Red Sea into the Sinai desert. Then, 50 days after Passover, they came to Mount Sinai, where Moses received the law. Pentecost, the fiftieth day, isn’t (in other words) just about the ‘first fruits’, the sheaf which says the harvest has begun. It’s about God giving to his redeemed people the way of life by which they must now carry out his purposes.

• What do you think was significant about God's choosing to pour out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost?

• What do you think was significant about the three signs of the Spirit coming that day?

  • Blowing wind

  • Tongues of fire

  • Speaking in other languages?

Read Acts 2:14-21

• What did you notice about Peter's answer to their confusion?

Look closely at the quotation from Joel (the words here in Acts are translated from the Greek (LXX) translation of Joel. Feel free to compare to the direct translation by reading Joel 2:28-32 for yourself)

• How does Joel's prophesy find its fulfilment at Pentecost? Is there anything here that particularly stands out to you?

  • Is there anything here that is not happening at Pentecost?

• Arguably, the focus of Joel's prophesy is the Spirit being poured out on all people.Consider your experience of the Holy Spirit. Does it line up with the things happening here? Why/why not?

  • How do you experience the Holy Spirit at work in your life?

  • Is there an experience, gift or blessing of the Spirit that you would like to see or experience more of?

Spend some time in prayer - ask the Spirit to continue to do God's will in you, and to continue to pour out on us. Give some time and space to silence, to wait and see what the Spirit might do in this time of prayerful receiving.