Peter preached at Pentecost

Acts 2:1-42

Jesus’ believers gathered together in one place in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. Suddenly, a sound like a strong wind came from heaven and filled the whole house! The believers looked around and saw what looked like flames of fire spread out and sitting on each of them. Each person was filled with the Holy Spirit. With the Spirit’s help, they began to speak in other languages!

Because of the Pentecost festival, many people from other countries were in Jerusalem. A large crowd gathered. They were excited but confused because everyone was hearing their own language spoken by the disciples. They wondered how people from a small place like Galilee could know these languages. They kept asking each other, “What does this mean?”

Peter stood and spoke. He told the crowd that God promised to send His Spirit, and now He had done it! Peter told the people about God’s promise to send the Savior. He told the people about Jesus, the one they had crucified. The people were sorry for what they had done. They asked, “What shall we do?”

Peter answered, “Turn away from your sins. Be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you, too, will receive God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you, your children, and all who are called by God.”

Peter preached much more and many people were baptized—about 3,000 of them! Those people joined the disciples and other believers for times of teaching, praying, and eating together.

Do you ever need help? At different times in our lives, we need different kinds of help. For example, when we are babies, we need help doing most everything. Someone has to feed us, carry us, change us, and take care of us. When we get a little older, we need help learning to walk and talk. From there, we need help learning how to hold a pencil, tie our shoes, spell words, do math, ride a bike, and then drive a car. There are so many things we need help with as we grow up. Most of the things mentioned are things we physically do. But, we also need help with spiritual things. God gives us a special Helper to help us know more about Him and grow to be like Him.

The Holy Spirit first came to believers at the celebration of Pentecost after Jesus had returned to heaven. Jesus had promised the disciples He would send a Helper to them since He would no longer be physically present with them.

We are promised the gift of the Holy Spirit when we trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit is at work in the lives of all believers. He helps Christians follow God and live for Him. He helps believers understand what they read in the Bible. The Holy Spirit gives guidance and direction. The Holy Spirit also draws people to God, leading unbelievers to know more about God and their need for Him.

If a person is a believer in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives within him. From the time of Pentecost until Jesus returns, the Holy Spirit will be our Helper as we seek to live lives devoted to following God and His Word.

Questions:

1. Describe what happened when the Holy Spirit came upon believers at Pentecost.

2. What did Peter preach to the people at Pentecost?

3. What does the Holy Spirit do for believers? What does He do for unbelievers?

Pray: God, thank You for keeping Your promise to send a Helper for us while Jesus is in heaven. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who guides and helps us be more like You. Amen.