Study Guide and Notes for Acts 2

Horton Road Church of Christ / Spring 2010

Pre-Sermon: The Gift of the Holy Spirit (2:1-13)

1. When does this incident take place?

2. What is significant about the phrase "they were all together in one place" (2:1;
cf. 1:12-14)? [See Theme #5 – Prayer]
3. What happened (2:2-4)? What does this correspond to from chapter 1 (1:4-8)?
[See Theme #1 – Holy Spirit]
4. Why is it important to note all the nations in 2:5-11? [See Theme #4 –
Fulfillment of scripture; cf. Isaiah 11:12. Indicates fulfillment of Jesus'
words in 1:8 as Jews from all over the world hear the good news about
him.]
5. How did the nations know this was an act of God (2:12)? What was another
response?

Sermon: Fulfillment of Scripture by Salvation in Christ (2:14-41)

1. What does Peter attribute the Spirit to (2:16-21)? What does that prophetic
passage mean? [“in the last days = a new work of God; a new era of
salvation; 2:21]
2. What are the major building blocks of this sermon?
3. How does Jesus fulfill the prophecy from Joel (2:22; 2:19)?
4. How does Peter know that David's psalm was not about David? (look at 2:29-31;
again in 2:34-35)
5. On what basis does Peter call Jesus both Lord and Messiah? [See Psalm 110; it
became read as a messianic psalm to and about “the lord”]
6. What is Peter's conclusion? What is the response? (2:36-37)
7. What are Peter's instructions?
8. What 3 things happen in baptism (2:38)? [into Jesus; forgiveness; H.S.]
9. What is the promise in 2:39?
10.What were the results in 2:40-41?

Post-Sermon: The Restored Community (2:42-47) [See Themes #2-#3: Experience

(togetherness and possessions) and Evangelism and Church Organization]

1. How did they live together (42-47)?

2. What 4 things did they emphasize (42)?
3. What evidence is there that they cared for each other (44-45)? How is this in
keeping with mission of Jesus (i.e., Luke 12:33)? Is this required today? Are the
4 things of 2:42 required today?
4. How often did they meet? Where did they meet? what did they do when they
met? (2:46-47)
5. What were the results? How were the results obtained (47)?
Application

1. How would you recreate Peter's sermon to preach today? What would you
emphasize? Which scriptures, if any, would you pick? Which elements of our
cultural would you tie into?
2. How is Peter's sermon in Acts 2 different from Paul's sermon in Athens in Acts
17? Why the difference?
3. Is the "pattern" in Acts 2:42-47 a useful example to follow? How could we do
this today? Why don't we, in some cases?

Additional Notes

1. Peter's sermon falls in line with typical apostolic preaching in Acts: 1) The Old
Testament promises are declared to be fulfilled in Jesus; 2) The apostles are
declared to be both eyewitnesses to Jesus and his chosen representatives; 3)
People are called to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ; 4) Salvation is
promised to those who respond to Jesus with repentance and faith in him.
2. In Acts 2:42, 4 things are mentioned that the believers were devoted to. Acts
2:43-47 shows more specifically how these 4 things played out in the life of
their community: "teaching" is seen through its confirmation by signs and
wonders performed by the apostles (43); "fellowship" is literally shared by the
sharing of possessions and care of those in need (44-45); "the breaking of
bread" was accomplished by regular meetings in each other's homes (46); and
"prayer" was done at all times but especially in the times of praise in the
temple (46-47).