ACTS | The Power Surge

The Power Surge | Acts 2:1-41

Vance Havner “We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor by conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God.”

The church had its ministry energized by the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:13a, 14 “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth… 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.”

3 Phenomena that happened on Day One of the Church:
A. The Holy Spirit came to the disciples.

Acts 2:1-4 “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.”

Warren Wiersbe “Combine wind and fire and you have a blaze.”

B. The Holy Spirit filled the disciples.

Acts 2:4 “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

C. The Holy Spirit spoke through the disciples.

Acts 2:4 “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Key Point: Our purpose is to be a witness for Jesus.

Three Clarifying Explanations:

 1. Peter explained what happened: The Spirit had come.

Acts 2:12 “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

2. Peter explained how it happened: Jesus was alive.

Evidence that Jesus had risen from the dead:

a. Peter points to Jesus.

Acts 2:23-24 “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

b. Peter shared the prophecy of David.

Acts 2:25-28 “David said about him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’”

Acts 2:29-32 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”

c. Peter explains that the disciples were witnesses of the resurrection.

3. The reason all of this happened: To save sinners.

Acts 2:36-37 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Acts 2:38 “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.”

Acts 2:40 “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’”

Acts 2:41 “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

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Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Acts 2:38 “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.”