Chapter Two — Part One: The Book of Acts
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 01/10/2021
Foundation Scriptures:
Acts 2:1-11
1. Pentecost.
a. Acts 2:1a KJV — And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…
b. Pentecost was celebrated in the seventh week after the Passover—in grateful recognition of the completed harvest.
c. Pentecost is the Greek word for “fifty.”
d. It marks the fiftieth day from the waving of the sheaf of the first fruits (Lev. 23:15-16).
e. All the men, from every Jewish family, were required to attend this feast, in person, in Jerusalem—bringing with them an appropriate offering—according to the Lord’s blessings on their harvest (Deut. 16:16-17).
2. One Accord.
a. Acts 2:1b KJV — …they were all with one accord in one place.
b. They were all with one accord—all 120 of them.
c. Not one of them was distracted, uninterested, unconcerned, or lukewarm.
d. They were in earnest and united in faith and prayer.
e. One accord (Greek: homothymadón) means: unanimously; with one accord (mind).
f. It is a compound of two words meaning to “rush along” and “in unison”.
g. One of the root Greek words “thymos” means: (fierce) passion.
h. They were in one accord—with one mind; one heart; one earnest passion.
i. The musical equivalent would be of the sounding of a number of notes, which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone.
3. Suddenly.
a. Acts 2:2 KJV — And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
b. Suddenly (Greek- áphnō) means: unawares or unexpectedly.
c. There came a sound, a noise, a roar (Greek- ēchos) of uncertain affinity; a loud or confused noise (“echo”), i.e., roar—also spoken of the roar of the sea waves.
d. This mighty (violent, forcible) sound echoed from Heaven!
e. (This Greek word, biaios: “mighty,” is only used once and only used here.)
f. This rushing of a violent tempest blast (AMPC) blew in and (completely) filled the entire house, and the room where they were patiently sitting and waiting for the Holy Spirit.
g. The word “wind” is the same word used, and translated, as “breath” or “breath of life.”
h. So, you could say that God, Himself, breathed from Heaven and filled the whole house, and all who were in it!
4. Holy Ghost and Fire.
a. Acts 2:3 KJV — And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
b. They experienced a baptism in fire that they could see and feel.
c. John the Baptist had declared: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Matt. 3:11).
d. The fire represents power (Acts 1:8).
5. Tongues—the Language of the Spirit.
a. Acts 2:4 KJV — And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
b. They were both filled and baptized with the Spirit.
c. This was predicted by Isaiah (Isa. 28:9-12) and by Jesus (Mk. 16:17).
d. Isaiah 28:11-12 KJV — For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing…
e. Mark 16:17 KJV — And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name… they shall speak with new tongues.
f. The Holy Spirit gave them the utterance—gave them the words—spoke through them.
g. They spoke with other tongues—a heavenly prayer language—bubbling forth, tumbling forth, from their spirit; not their head/mind.
h. 1 Corinthians 14:14 KJV — For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
i. The mind of man, even of the one doing the praying, does not understand this prayer language, and does not need to—it is your hot line to Heaven!
j. The person who prays in an unknown tongue is speaking “mysteries”—a language/s understood by God (and Heaven) but not by men (1 Cor. 14:2).
k. In some cases, God allows men to understand, in their own language, what is being spoken in other tongues.
l. The Jews, from every nation and language under heaven, understood what was spoken in tongues.
m. They asked, “Aren’t these men Galileans? How is it possible that we are hearing them in our own languages? How is it that we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:8; 11).
n. Note: There is a difference between your own prayer language, that is under your control, and the gift of tongues (and interpretation), that operates through you but only under the unction of the Holy Spirit.
6. Living Water.
a. John 7:37-39 KJV — In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
b. Isaiah prophesied that that baptism of the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues, would bring refreshing to those who receive it.
c. Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit, who would be like rivers of living water flowing out of the belly (inner most being) of those who receive.
d. Jude 20-21 KJV — But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
e. You build yourself up—charge your spiritual batteries—when you pray in the Holy Spirit.