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.

「But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,」

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?

「serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;」

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

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

「Your gold and your silver are rusted; and their rust shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. Ye have laid up your treasure in the last days.」

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.

「And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.」

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?

「And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;」

What continuity exists between Pentecost and believers' experience today?

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

「Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?」

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?

「For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.」

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?

「And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.」

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 then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.」

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.

「but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters.」

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 if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.」

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?

「And the high priest said, Are these things so?」

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?

「but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.」

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.

「and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:」

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?

「And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;」

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?

「I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews:」

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.

「Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.」

What continuity exists between Pentecost and believers' experience today?

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

「and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.」

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.

「Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:」

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

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

「who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.」

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.

「The same was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.」

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.

「Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.」

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 said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning 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?