The Big Story

The Big Story Week 34: The Helper Comes

Bible Truths

  • God keeps His promises. (Week 3)
  • The Holy Spirit is God.
  • The Holy Spirit is given to believers.

Bible Verse

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26 NIV

Focus

Jesus spent three years teaching the disciples and preparing them for ministry. Before Jesus returned to heaven he told the his follower to go all over the world and teach others about Him. He also promised to send the Holy Spirit to help them. First, they are to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come. They did. Let’s see what happens.

Day 1

Tongues of Fire from the Action Bible

Day 2

1On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

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

Acts 2:1-13 NLT2.
  1. Do you remember why the believers stayed in Jerusalem? ( See Acts 1:4)
  2. What did it look or sound like when Holy Spirit came? (2:2-4)
  3. In verses 5-6 why were the Jews from other countries confused?
  4. How do some in the crowd explain what is happening? (2:13)

Day 3

Peter stand up and explains that what is happened is from God. The prophet Joel even told them it would happen. Read and compare Acts 2:17-21 with Joel 2:28-32.

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.
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.’

Acts 2:17-21 NLT

28 “Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.
29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.
30 And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth— blood and fire and columns of smoke.
31 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives.
32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.

Joel 2:28-32 NLT

Day 4

Peter ends his sermon with proclaiming the good news that Jesus is alive.

36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away[a]—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

Acts 2:36-41 NLT

Day 5

Each year we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. This happened 50 days after the resurrection. At the Baptism of Jesus, John the Baptist prophesied of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Matthew 3:11 NLT

Want to learn more about Pentecost Sunday?