Acts 2:1-21, 36-47 (NIV)

¹ 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.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 

⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 

⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 

⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too

much wine.”

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says,

  I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

  your young men will see visions,

  your old men will dream dreams.

¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,

  I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

  and they will prophesy.

¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heavens above

  and signs on the earth below,

  blood and fire and billows of smoke.

²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness

  and the moon to blood

  before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

²¹ And everyone who calls

  on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

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³⁶ “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?”

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. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

1. All received the Spirit.

I will pour out my spirit on all people.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV)

2. All shared in God’s vision for the family of God.

Your sons and daughters… young men… old men… men and women… Your children and for all who are far off…

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)

3. All generously gave themselves to God and to one another.

They devoted themselves… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)

• All Worshiped—teaching, praising God, filled with awe
• All Served—having goodwill towards all the people toward others
• All Met—in homes, with meals, in public

Next Steps: Pick up the Ephesians journal for the fall series Called: Living as Children of Light. Gather supplies to make the most of your journaling—colored pencils, a pen or pencil, highlighter pens, an additional journal to capture your reflections—and place them near your favorite chair. What time and place will you commit to reading and reflecting on God’s word this fall? Read through Ephesians. Reflect. What themes stand out to you? Pray. What is your prayer for yourself? your small group? our church family?