Acts - Week 5

Week 5 Acts 2 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 2:13-15 

13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!” 

14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 

Although some in the crowd wondered what all the speaking in other languages meant, some had a definite opinion. They said, “They’re just drunk, that’s all.” Peter got their attention and said that was impossible so early in the day. This is because “wine” at that time was only fermented grape juice, which was low in alcoholic content. Even when that was drunk it was diluted with from 2 to 5 parts water so it was really weak. No way could they be drunk with it so early in the morning. 

REFLECT 

According to Jewish time, which went from about 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 9:00 a.m. was just the third hour of the day. That’s the point Peter was making about it being early.  

RESPOND 

Read Ephesians 5:15-20 to see how Paul contrasted being controlled by wine with being controlled by the Holy Spirit. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 2:16-18 

16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.  

Peter reminded the Jewish people they should not be surprised at this outbreak of what the Holy Spirit was doing. Joel had also prophesied it. If they believed the Old Testament, which was their Bible, they should have been aware of this. Specifically Peter mentioned that Joel prophesied that the Holy Spirit would be poured out “on all people” and this is now what was occurring.  

REFLECT 

This reveals that the Bible is a single unit, all inspired by the one true God. Knowledge of both Testaments makes for a knowledgeable believer. 

RESPOND 

Read Joel 2:28-29 to see some of the comments to which Peter was referring in Acts 2:16-18. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 2:19-21 

19 “And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below—blood and fire and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. 21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c] 

This is a continuation of Joel’s prophecy in. As Peter refers to this prophecy, he now refers to some things in Joel 2:30-31 that did not occur at Pentecost. These are signs that will occur when Jesus returns to the earth. Notice the salvation appeal at the end of Joel’s message: “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the only way of salvation was calling on the Lord. This provided a salvation that is by grace through faith. 

REFLECT 

Be thankful that neither the people in the Old Testament nor those in the New Testament must earn salvation by works because no one would qualify. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read Matthew 24:29-31 to see the signs in Joel referred to by Jesus as recorded in Matthew’s gospel. These will occur when Jesus returns to earth. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 2:22-23 

22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 

Peter now directly addresses his fellow Israelites. He reminds them that the heavenly Father has shown approval for Jesus by signs, wonders and miracles. Peter let them know that the betrayal of Jesus did not take God by surprise. He “knew what would happen.” Not only were the Jews guilty of the crucifixion of Jesus, so were “lawless Gentiles.” No one is innocent. All were guilty of crucifying the Lord of glory.  

REFLECT 

Think about the fact that the whole world is guilty of the death of Jesus. But it was all appointed in God’s sovereign plan so He could be just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 3:21-26 to see that God sent His only Son to die for the sins of the Father; thereby allowing the Father to be just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 2:24-25 

24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 

Some might think that the death of the Lord Jesus was the end. Not so. It was a new beginning. The remains of all previous religious leaders are yet in the grave. The tomb of Jesus, however, is empty. This is the greatest testimony that Jesus is God. He died for all and rose again. Then He stayed on earth for 40 days to prove to eyewitnesses that He was alive. Even His brothers did not believe in Him until they saw Him after His resurrections. 

REFLECT 

Imagine what it was like for the perfect Son of God to grow up in a family where even His brothers did not believe in Him. 

RESPOND 

Read John 7:1-5 that tells about the unbelief of the brothers of Jesus.