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Outline 054 of 100 · Acts

The Day of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-41 — The outpoured Spirit births the gospel church in power

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

On the day of Pentecost, the promised Spirit fell with sound like a rushing wind and tongues of fire, empowering ordinary believers to proclaim the wonderful works of God in languages they had never learned, gathering the scattered nations to hear one gospel. Peter, the same man who had denied Christ weeks earlier, stands boldly and preaches Christ crucified and risen according to the Scriptures, driving home the indictment, 'ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain,' yet immediately offering hope: 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you... for the remission of sins.' Three thousand souls respond that day, and the chapter closes with a description of the resulting church devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Righteousness by faith on display here is corporate as well as individual — the same Spirit that convicts of sin also creates a community bound together in grace, generosity, and praise.

  1. I. The Spirit outpoured

    • Sound of a rushing mighty wind
    • Cloven tongues like fire
    • Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance

  2. II. The sermon preached

    • Christ crucified by wicked hands
    • Christ raised, death unable to hold Him
    • Fulfillment of Davidic and prophetic Scripture

  3. III. The conviction and call

    • "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
    • "Repent, and be baptized... for the remission of sins"
    • The promise unto you, your children, and all afar off

  4. IV. The church formed

    • Three thousand added in a day
    • Continuing steadfastly in doctrine and fellowship
    • Breaking of bread and prayer, with great gladness
The appeal

The same convicting, empowering Spirit poured out at Pentecost is available to you today. Will you respond as the crowd did — repenting, believing, and being baptized for the remission of your sins?

Key points

  • The Holy Spirit empowers ordinary believers for extraordinary gospel witness.
  • True gospel preaching confronts sin honestly yet offers full forgiveness.
  • Conversion births not just individuals but a Spirit-filled community.

Key passages

  • Acts 2:1-4
  • Acts 2:37-38
  • Acts 2:41
  • Joel 2:28