Pentecost - Acts 1-7 (BibleProject)

In Acts 1-7, the event of Pentecost marks the birth of the Christian Church, where the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles to begin their mission of spreading the Gospel. The BibleProject highlights Pentecost as the fulfillment of God’s promise to send His Spirit and how it transformed the early believers, enabling the rapid growth of the church.

Key Events in Acts 1-7:

1. Jesus' Ascension (Acts 1:1-11): After His resurrection, Jesus spends time with His disciples, promising that they will receive the Holy Spirit and become His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). He ascends into heaven, and the disciples return to Jerusalem to pray and wait for the Holy Spirit.

2. The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13): On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, appearing as tongues of fire. They begin speaking in different languages, which amazes the crowds gathered in Jerusalem for the festival. People from various regions hear them speaking in their native languages about God's wonders.

3. Peter’s Sermon and the Birth of the Church (Acts 2:14-41): Peter addresses the crowd, explaining that this event fulfills the prophecy from Joel about God pouring out His Spirit. He proclaims that Jesus, whom they crucified, has risen and is both Lord and Messiah. He calls for repentance, leading to 3,000 people being baptized and added to the church.

4. The Early Church Community (Acts 2:42-47): The new believers devote themselves to the apostles' teachings, prayer, and fellowship. They share their possessions, care for one another’s needs, and live in harmony. Their love and unity attract others, and the church grows daily.

5. Peter Heals a Lame Man (Acts 3:1-10): Peter heals a man who was lame from birth at the temple gate. The miracle amazes the crowd, providing Peter another opportunity to preach about Jesus' resurrection.

6. Peter and John Face Opposition (Acts 3:11-4:31): After the healing, Peter boldly preaches again, leading to their arrest by the religious authorities. They are warned not to preach in Jesus' name but declare they cannot be silent about what they have witnessed. The believers pray for boldness, and the Holy Spirit fills them again, empowering them to continue proclaiming the Gospel.

7. Challenges and Growth in the Church (Acts 4-7): The church continues to grow, but internal and external challenges arise. Ananias and Sapphira, two believers, lie about their donation to the church and die as a result. Meanwhile, the apostles face increasing persecution from religious leaders but remain steadfast in their mission.

8. Stephen’s Martyrdom (Acts 6-7): As the church grows, seven men, including Stephen, are chosen to help manage the distribution of food. Stephen, full of the Spirit, performs miracles and boldly preaches, but he is falsely accused of blasphemy and brought before the Sanhedrin. In his defense, Stephen recounts Israel's history and accuses the religious leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit. Furious, they stone him to death, making Stephen the first Christian martyr. As he dies, Stephen prays for their forgiveness.

BibleProject Themes:

• Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Pentecost is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise, empowering the apostles to preach the Gospel and perform miracles. This event marks the beginning of the church's mission to spread the Gospel globally.

• New Temple: The Holy Spirit no longer dwells in a physical temple but now resides in the believers, who become the new temple of God’s presence.

• Bold Witnessing: The Spirit gives the apostles courage, transforming them from fearful disciples to bold witnesses, even in the face of persecution.

• The Kingdom Expands: Acts 1-7 shows the early church fulfilling its mission to spread the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem and reaching all people.