Acts 2 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 2 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• The events in Acts 2 took place between 29-30 A.D.

• These events occurred approximately 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection.

CHARACTERS:

• Holy Spirit - God’s Spirit who empowered the Apostles to continue Jesus’ work on earth.

• Peter - One of the Apostles whose speech is recorded in Acts 2:14-40.

• 12 Apostles - Jesus’ students and witnesses of His resurrection.

• Jews - Jews from around the world gathered in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost.

WHERE:

• The events of Acts 2 happened in-and-around the city of Jerusalem.

• Jews from various nations travelled to Jerusalem for Pentecost. Some of the nations are listed in Acts 2:9-11. For more information see our handout “The Nations Gathered for Pentecost” on our website.

OUTLINE:

• PENTECOST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT (2:1-4):

  • In Acts 1, Jesus told the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit arrived.

  • The Apostles were all gathered together on Pentecost (an annual Jewish feast day) when the sound of a strong wind filled their house.

  • “Divided tongues as of fire” appeared and rested on each of them.

  • They were filled with the Holy Spirit, who enabled them to speak other languages.

• A CROWD GATHERS AROUND THE APOSTLES (2:5-13):

  • Hearing the wind-like sound coming from the Apostles house, the people in the area started gathering to inspect the scene.

  • The crowd was very diverse (Acts 2:9-11) yet they were all hearing the Apostles speaking in their own languages.

  • Some people mocked the Apostles and accused them of being drunk.

• PETER SPEAKS TO THE PENTECOST CROWD (2:14-41):

  • Peter addressed the group and began explaining what was happening.

  • The arrival of the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of a prophecy in Joel 2:28-32.

  • Peter, with the help of the Holy Spirit, made the case from the Old Testament that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ.

  • Jesus was the fulfillment of David’s words in Psalm 16:8-11 when he wrote “For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.”

  • Peter argued that Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven to sit at God’s throne in fulfillment of Psalm 110:1.

  • Peter told the Jews to repent of their rebellion against God and be baptized.” 

  • 3,000 Jews were convicted by Peter’s words and were baptized.

• THE UNITY OF THE BELIEVERS (2:42-47):

  • All of the new “believers” devoted themselves to the teachings of the Apostles.

  • They shared their possessions with anyone in need.

  • They met daily in their homes and in the Temple.

  • The Lord added many new believers to their group day by day.

APPLICATION:

• The unity of the early believers could be observed in their words, in the way they spent their money, and in the way they spent their time.

• Their unity was much deeper than a weekly meeting on Sunday morning.

• The modern Church can’t expect to experience the results of the early Church until they are devoted and unified in the same way.

• Too many churches are preaching a gospel that requires little to no commitment from their members.

• Committing your life to Christ is a HUGE commitment and should not be entered into lightly.