Category: Pentecost

  • Bible Study – The Book of Acts, Part I

    The Unstoppable Journey: Lessons from the Jerusalem Church and Its Early Transitions

    Today, we’re embarking on a journey through the early chapters of the Book of Acts, exploring the foundational Jerusalem Church and the remarkable transitions that propelled the Gospel beyond its initial boundaries. Acts isn’t just a historical record; it’s a handbook for the church, revealing how the early believers operated and how the glorified Christ continues to work through His people.

    Part 1: The Jerusalem Church – A Foundation of Faith (Acts 1-7)

    The church began as a sect within the Jewish community in Jerusalem. What made “The Way” so distinctive?

    • Jewish in Character, Yet Unique: The early believers were Jewish, worshipping in the temple, observing customs and the Law. However, their distinguishing belief was that Jesus was the Messiah, and they practiced baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
    • Apostolic Leadership and Instruction: Initially led by Peter and John, and later by James, Jesus’ brother (who was not one of the original twelve disciples). The apostles provided essential teaching, which was placed first on the list of needs for the new believers. This instruction helped them understand that the Messiah was a suffering savior, a new perspective on the Old Testament scriptures they already knew.
    • The Upper Room and the Twelve: The gathering in the Upper Room (Acts 1:13-26) was crucial for the replacement of Judas. The choice emphasized the necessity of having twelve apostles to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. The successor had to have been with Jesus from His baptism until His ascension, witnessing His entire ministry.
    • Quality of Fellowship: The Jerusalem Church was marked by a profound sense of unity and joy. They met house-to-house to break bread and pray. A notable feature was the sharing of property (Acts 2:44-45), primarily to support a large influx of foreign Jews who had come for feasts and lacked means of support. This giving was not compulsory but demonstrated their deeply touched hearts.
    • The Ananias and Sapphira Incident (Acts 4:34-5:11): This severe judgment highlights the high quality of fellowship God expected. Their deceit was seen as a “little leaven” that could corrupt the “whole lump” of the new church, emphasizing the danger of dishonesty and hypocrisy within the community. Peter clarified that giving was a privilege and a free choice, not an obligation.

    Part 2: The Unstoppable March – Transitioning Beyond Jerusalem (Acts 8 onwards)

    Acts chapter 1, verse 8, serves as the key verse and structural outline for the entire book: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. This outlines the geographical expansion of the Gospel, guided by the Holy Spirit.

    The transition from a Jewish sect to a universal faith was a gentle process, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. He “weaned them away from temple worship and pruned them of attitudes towards Gentiles”, rather than imposing a whole new system at once.

    Here are the key steps in this remarkable transition:

    1. Stephen’s Sermon and Martyrdom (Acts 6:8-7:60): Stephen, chosen as one of the helpers, realized that Jesus fulfilled what the temple foreshadowed, hinting at the redundancy of the temple and Jewish worship. His powerful sermon and subsequent stoning led to intense persecution, causing believers to scatter from Jerusalem. This persecution, though harsh, served as a “Divine kick” that propelled the Gospel outward, planting churches wherever believers went. Saul (Paul) was present and approved of Stephen’s death.
    2. Philip’s Preaching in Samaria (Acts 8): Philip’s decision to preach in Samaria was a surprising action for a Jew, given the historical animosity between Jews and Samaritans. His ministry was endorsed by the apostles in Jerusalem, signaling early acceptance of outreach to non-Jews. This step helped overcome racial backgrounds and prejudices.
    3. The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40): This encounter highlights several principles: ministry to an individual is as important as to the masses, racial prejudices can be overcome (eunuchs were often excluded from full proselytization), and the method of preaching Jesus from the Old Testament was demonstrated.
    4. The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9, 22, 26): Saul’s conversion was one of the greatest events in church history, described three times in Acts. Jesus identified fully with His church when He confronted Saul, saying, “Why do you persecute me?”. The Lord commissioned Saul (who became Paul) as the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul later affirmed that Jesus’ appearance to him was the last of the post-resurrection appearances.
    5. Peter’s Preaching to Cornelius (Acts 10, 11, 15:7): This was the final and crucial transition step, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Peter, staying with Simon the tanner (a ceremonially unclean trade), received a vision preparing him to accept Gentiles. Cornelius, a God-fearer, also received a vision. When Peter preached to Cornelius’s household, the Holy Spirit fell on them, proving that God admits Gentiles into the church without requiring them to become Jewish first. This event led to great rejoicing in Jerusalem, as they acknowledged that God had granted “even to the Gentiles repentance unto life”.

    This move introduced a note of universality into the kerygma (the gospel proclamation), meaning Jesus’ message and salvation were for everyone. This also raised the significant question of law vs. grace, which the church had to resolve. The emphasis shifted from a “Kingdom perspective” to the “forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with God”.

    Part 3: What Can We Learn from Acts Today?

    The Book of Acts is ultimately “about the activities of the glorified Christ”. It’s a story of ordinary men and women empowered by a wonderful God, demonstrating that they faced similar challenges as we do today.

    • God is in Control: Despite persecutions, troubles, and leadership changes, God has guided His church for two thousand years. The message of the Gospel is unstoppable.
    • The Holy Spirit’s Guidance is Key: The early church didn’t just stumble into these transitions; they were led by the Holy Spirit, who gently guided them in the right direction.
    • Persecution Can Lead to Growth: When persecution broke out in Jerusalem, believers scattered, inadvertently spreading the Gospel far and wide. God can use hardship for the advance of His kingdom.
    • The Power of the Word: The preaching of the Word always caused a stir, sometimes leading to controversy, but the message remained unstoppable.

    Let us, as Southside Church, be encouraged by the unstoppable march of the early church. May we embrace the continuous work of the glorified Christ through us, be open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and remain bold witnesses in our community and to the ends of the earth!

    Discussion Questions:

    1. What aspect of the Jerusalem Church’s fellowship resonates most with you, and how can we apply it today?
    2. How did the Holy Spirit’s “gentle guidance” in the transition period prevent overwhelming the early believers? What does this teach us about embracing change in the church?
    3. Which of the “transition steps” (Stephen, Philip, Eunuch, Saul, Peter) do you find most impactful, and why?
    4. The sources emphasize that Acts is about the “activities of the glorified Christ.” How does this perspective change how you view the Book of Acts and the mission of the church today?

    Here is an overview:

  • Pentecost

    Pentecost

    The same God who destroyed the prophets of Baal with fire is the same God who sends tongues of fire at Pentecost to empower His people. The God who breathed life into Adam is the same God who now breathes His Spirit into us.

    Today we commemorate Pentecost Sunday,  a pivotal moment in the history of our faith.  The word “Pentecost” itself, derived from the Greek “Pentēkostē,” signifies “fiftieth,” marking this celebration 50 days after Easter Sunday. 

    To truly appreciate the significance of Pentecost, we must first journey back into Israel’s history. After their liberation from Egyptian slavery, God established a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, promising them the status of a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, contingent upon their obedience. However, despite God’s desire for them to be His “treasured possession,” Israel repeatedly faltered, oscillating between obedience and disobedience. Their human attempts to fulfill the terms of the covenant invariably fell short of God’s perfect standard.

    It was within this context of human frailty and repeated failure that the Old Testament prophets emerged, bearing a message of hope. They foretold a future time when God would rescue His people and renew His covenant—a covenant that, unlike the first, would be unbreakable by human limitations. Jeremiah 31 and Ezekiel 36 illuminate this new covenant, promising a profound reconciliation and renewal. God would not only cleanse His people from their sins but would also dwell among them in an unprecedented way. This became the fervent hope of Old Testament Israel, an anticipation of a Messiah who would usher in this promised new covenant.

    At the close of the Old Testament, the people were left yearning for the Messiah’s arrival and the fulfillment of this new covenant. Their expectations of the Messiah crystallized into four major traditions: the Priestly (restoring proper worship), the Prophetic (a teacher and miracle worker like Moses), the Kingly (a political and military deliverer), and the Wisdom (an embodiment of God’s wisdom). Of these, the Kingly tradition held the most sway, as Israel desperately longed for a Messiah who would liberate them from Roman oppression and restore their sovereignty. Even Jesus’ own disciples, as seen in Acts 1:6, clung to this expectation, asking, “Lord, are You at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

    Their vision of the Messiah was often rooted in the powerful, consuming fire of Elijah, who called down judgment on his enemies. They expected Jesus to be a God of “us and them,” incinerating those who threatened “us.” This strong inclination is evident in Luke 9:51-56, where James and John, seeing the unwelcoming Samaritans, asked Jesus, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them?”

    This raises a crucial question for us today: Do we, too, harbor a similar view of God? Do we perceive Him as a mighty, holy God who punishes us with fiery judgment for our disobedience or shortcomings? Do we live in fear of making mistakes, assuming that hardship is God’s fiery affliction for our sins? The Jews, interpreting the Old Covenant’s emphasis on obedience and curses for disobedience, often saw God through this lens of punitive fire.

    Yet, Jesus’ response to James and John reveals a different divine character. Luke 9:55 records His rebuke: “But He turned and rebuked them and He said, ‘You do not know what kind of spirit you are; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.’” This powerfully challenges our preconceived notions of God’s “fire.” We often expect God to make things right through judgment, separating the wicked from the righteous by consuming them. But with the advent of Jesus, a different kind of fire was introduced—not a fire of judgment under the old covenant’s demands for human effort, but a fire of new life, brought forth through His perfect sacrifice and the ushering in of the new covenant of grace.

    This new fire was displayed at Pentecost. Acts 2:1-11 describes a sound like a mighty wind filling the building, followed by “tongues as of fire” resting on each of them, empowering them to speak in various languages, proclaiming “God’s mighty works!” Unlike the destructive fire of the Old Testament, this Pentecost fire was good news for everyone, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers. It was a fire that burned within God’s people to reach others, tearing down the dividing walls of prejudice and making salvation accessible to all.

    Under the New Covenant, God’s fire is not directed against His enemies to defeat them; it is burning within His people to reach them. The Holy Spirit’s fire isn’t to eliminate all sin; it’s to empower us, sinners, to live the Jesus way in a sinful world for the sake of others. It empowers us to become more like Jesus, which is why His presence is so vital in our faith journey.

    Jesus’ actions in Luke 4:16-21 further illuminate this truth. In the synagogue, He read from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), to proclaim the favourable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favour of God abound greatly].” He then stopped mid-verse, significantly omitting the phrase, “and the day of vengeance of our God…” By doing so, Jesus declared that His mission was not to bring vengeance for sin, but to set us free and ignite within us His Spirit.

    The unapproachable God of Mount Sinai and the temple, with His strict rules, is now the God who dwells within the hearts of every sinner by grace. The God whose blessing was once confined to one nation, Israel, now pours out His Spirit on all people, everywhere. The God who once destroyed His enemies by fire now fills His children with the fire of His Holy Spirit, transforming them to be like Jesus. We cannot achieve this transformation through our own efforts; it is the work of the Holy Spirit, by God’s grace, as Philippians 2:13 reminds us: “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energising, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.”

    Hebrews 12:29 declares, “Our God is a devouring fire.” This is a definitive statement about His essential nature. If God’s Spirit is a devouring fire, then how much of His Holy Spirit fire have we allowed to devour our hearts? This is a choice we make, for as Stephen lamented to the Jewish council in Acts 7:51, “Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit?”

    Just as a devouring fire transforms a landscape, so too does the Holy Spirit transform our lives. The change in our lives directly reflects the degree to which we’ve allowed His fire to consume our hearts. God is also described as light and love in 1 John. So, how are you growing in your love for others because of the fire of the Holy Spirit within you? A fire that enables you to speak a language of love and hope, describing God’s mighty works, instead of hate and fiery vengeance toward your perceived enemies or those who are different from you.

    Pentecost did not replace the God of the Old Testament; it revealed His full character in continuity with Jesus. The same God who destroyed the prophets of Baal with fire is the same God who sends tongues of fire at Pentecost to empower His people. The God who breathed life into Adam is the same God who now breathes His Spirit into us, enabling us to proclaim, as Jesus did, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because… He has anointed Me to share the good news with the poor. He has sent Me to announce forgiveness to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed and to proclaim the favourable year of the Lord through my life as His ambassador.” To accomplish this, we desperately need the power of the Holy Spirit, just as the early disciples did on the day of Pentecost before embarking on the momentous task of building the early church, of which we are now a part.

    Consider this question: Are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit’s fire to devour your heart? Luke 11:13 assures us, “Our Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!” Titus 3:5-7 summarizes God’s transformative work: “He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we would be justified [made free of the guilt of sin] by His [compassionate, undeserved] grace, and that we would be [acknowledged as acceptable to Him and] made heirs of eternal life [actually experiencing it] according to our hope (His guarantee).”

    Reflect:

    1. How has your understanding of God’s “fire” shifted or deepened through this devotional? Do you tend to view God’s fire as primarily punitive, or as a transformative and empowering presence?
    2. In what specific ways do you see the “fences of prejudice” in your own heart that the Holy Spirit might want to burn down? How can you actively allow the Spirit to challenge your “us and them” mentality?
    3. The devotional states that the Holy Spirit empowers us to be more like Jesus for the sake of others. What practical steps can you take this week to live out the “Jesus way” in your daily interactions, empowered by the Spirit?
    4. Considering that we can either allow or resist the Holy Spirit, what areas of your life are you currently resisting His transformative “devouring fire”? What holds you back from full surrender?
    5. How can you intentionally “ask and continue to ask” for more of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in your life, as Luke 11:13 suggests, in order to become a better ambassador of God’s good news?

    Closing Prayer:

    Heavenly Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we thank You for the incredible gift of Your Holy Spirit. We confess that often, like the disciples of old, we have limited our understanding of Your power and Your character, sometimes fearing Your judgment rather than embracing Your transformative love. Forgive us for our resistance and our desire to cling to our own efforts.

    Today, we surrender anew to Your devouring fire. We ask that Your Holy Spirit would consume every prejudice, every barrier, and every self-limiting belief within our hearts. Burn away our “us and them” mentality, and ignite within us a boundless love for all people, just as You have loved us. Empower us, Lord, to speak the language of Your mighty works, bringing hope and healing to a broken world.

    We pray for a deeper infilling of Your Spirit, that we may be strengthened, energized, and equipped to fulfill Your purpose. Help us to live lives that reflect the very nature of Jesus, proclaiming good news, bringing freedom to the captives, sight to the blind, and setting the oppressed free. May our lives be a testament to Your grace, Your mercy, and Your unyielding love. Thank You for saving us, not by our works, but by Your compassion and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. We ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

    Watch the sermon on YouTube