Upper Room

「And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.」

Why did three thousand repent and be baptized on Pentecost, giving birth to the church?

The crowd was cut to the heart at the gospel, and Peter urged them to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit—and the church was born.

「And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.」

What does the conversion of three thousand people on the day of Pentecost reveal?

Acts 2:41 mentions three thousand being added — what spiritual significance does this number carry?

「For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.」

Is "justification by faith" contradicted by James's "justification by works"?

How do we reconcile the Reformers' core doctrine with the Epistle of James?

「Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand.」

What do the symbols of the Holy Spirit and fire signify in the Pentecost event?

A sound like a mighty wind and tongues like fire appeared as the Spirit filled the disciples, giving them utterance and power.

「The same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,」

How does the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost differ from the Spirit's work in the Old Testament?

Acts 2:17 cites Joel's promise that the Spirit would be poured out on all flesh — does this mark a new era of the Spirit?

「But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:」

What continuity exists between Pentecost and believers' experience today?

Is the Spirit's work in apostolic times continuous with today?

「For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all.」

Why does Peter quote the prophecy of Joel in his Pentecost sermon?

Peter cites Joel 2 in Acts 2 — how does this Old Testament prophecy frame the events of the day?

「came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him.」

At Pentecost, why did the disciples speak in the languages of other nations rather than in their local Aramaic?

Acts 2 records the disciples being filled with the Spirit and speaking in other tongues — what theological significance lies beneath this phenomenon?

「a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.」

How do we reconcile James 2:26 'faith without works is dead' with Paul?

Two seemingly conflicting texts together paint a fuller portrait of faith.

「Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.」

Why did the Holy Spirit descend on the fiftieth day, exactly ten days after Jesus' ascension?

Jesus told the disciples to wait, and on the day of Pentecost the Spirit came as tongues of fire and they began speaking in other languages.

「And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.」

How does the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost differ from the Spirit's work in the Old Testament?

Acts 2:17 cites Joel's promise that the Spirit would be poured out on all flesh — does this mark a new era of the Spirit?

「a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.」

Why did some Jewish observers mock the disciples as being drunk with new wine at Pentecost?

Acts 2:13 records mocking voices — what assumptions about the Spirit's work did this response reveal?

「But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time.」

What does the conversion of three thousand people on the day of Pentecost reveal?

Acts 2:41 mentions three thousand being added — what spiritual significance does this number carry?

「And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him,」

Why did Peter quote the prophet Joel in his Pentecost sermon?

Peter stood up to explain the signs of the last days, citing Joel to show the Spirit's outpouring in the end times.

「for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.」

Why does Peter quote the prophecy of Joel in his Pentecost sermon?

Peter cites Joel 2 in Acts 2 — how does this Old Testament prophecy frame the events of the day?

「Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?」

Why did some Jewish observers mock the disciples as being drunk with new wine at Pentecost?

Acts 2:13 records mocking voices — what assumptions about the Spirit's work did this response reveal?

「having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.」

Why did the Holy Spirit descend on the fiftieth day, exactly ten days after Jesus' ascension?

Jesus told the disciples to wait, and on the day of Pentecost the Spirit came as tongues of fire and they began speaking in other languages.

「who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:」

What continuity exists between Pentecost and believers' experience today?

Is the Spirit's work in apostolic times continuous with today?

「And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much.」

Why did Peter quote the prophet Joel in his Pentecost sermon?

Peter stood up to explain the signs of the last days, citing Joel to show the Spirit's outpouring in the end times.

「But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;」

Is "justification by faith" contradicted by James's "justification by works"?

How do we reconcile the Reformers' core doctrine with the Epistle of James?

「And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within His own authority.」

How do we reconcile James 2:26 'faith without works is dead' with Paul?

Two seemingly conflicting texts together paint a fuller portrait of faith.

「And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.」

What do the symbols of the Holy Spirit and fire signify in the Pentecost event?

A sound like a mighty wind and tongues like fire appeared as the Spirit filled the disciples, giving them utterance and power.

「But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.」

Why did three thousand repent and be baptized on Pentecost, giving birth to the church?

The crowd was cut to the heart at the gospel, and Peter urged them to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit—and the church was born.

「For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.」

At Pentecost, why did the disciples speak in the languages of other nations rather than in their local Aramaic?

Acts 2 records the disciples being filled with the Spirit and speaking in other tongues — what theological significance lies beneath this phenomenon?