Scripture Text: Acts 1:1-8; 2:16-24
Memory Verse: Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Lesson Aim: To highlight the awesome power of the Holy Spirit to change lives and circumstances.
The Holy Spirit is the power of God (Luke 1:35). The Spirit is first mentioned in Genesis 1:2. There the Spirit of God is involved in creating the heaven and the earth and everything else that is in them. The work of the Holy Spirit is awesome, creative, powerful, influential, and overwhelming.
The Holy Spirit’s impact causes dramatic alteration of the environment (air, land or sea) and also causes life changing effects in living organisms. The earth is so complex and yet orderly in its obedience to the commands of the Creator.
Consider the living organisms inhabiting the earth, ranging in size from the microscopic (invisible) to the extremely large mammals, such as the elephant or the whale. Finally, consider man, the final creative effort of the Holy Spirit, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
From the creation of man, God, through His Holy Spirit, desired a relationship with man. The relationship was broken by man’s disobedience. The resulting breakdown of man’s spiritual and physical relationship has brought havoc and corruption in the earth.
As a result, God sent Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of mankind (Galatians 4:4-5) and also promised the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29). The Holy Spirit impacted Mary. She conceived and gave birth to Jesus Christ. His impact on the earth changed the course of human history and events (Luke 1:35).
Almost 2000 years after the advent of Jesus and His ascension into heaven, the influence of the Holy Spirit still impacts this world. It all stems from an experience that overwhelmed a group of about 120 souls (Acts 1:15) gathered together in obedience to Jesus’ command to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).
Reception of the Holy Spirit resulted in an anointing upon the disciples that changed, empowered and invigorated them with a zeal and fervor that attracted the attention of the general population. The Holy Spirit spoke through Apostle Peter a soul piercing message that caused about 3,000 souls to cry out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37, 41).
What an impact the Holy Spirit made on the day called Pentecost almost two thousand years ago. Rivers of living water had begun to flow. People were healed, delivered, set free from demonic oppression and filled with gladness and joy.
So powerful was the anointing upon Peter that Acts 3:1-6 recounts the healing of the man born crippled, never having walked. Acts records that the sick were brought forth in the streets that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow them. “Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed” (Acts 5:16).
What Jesus had prophesied in John 7:37-39 and John 14:16-18 came to pass according to Acts 2:1-4, 16-26, 32-33. He is still a reality. His life changing impact is still being felt in the 21st Century.
Interact with God’s Word
- Who might this spirit being have been that is mentioned in Genesis 1:2? Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4
- What did Jesus prophesy in John 7:37-38, and 14:16-18?
- Describe the events pertaining to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost. Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:1-5
- Describe the impact Peter’s anointed message had upon the multitude. Acts 2:37
- Identify occasions in which living water was flowing out from the disciples to the community? Acts 3:6; 5:14-16; 8:5-8; 9:36-42
- For how long was the baptism of the Holy Spirit to be available to mankind? Mark 16:15-20; Matthew 24:14; Acts 2:39