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Welcome

In this episode, we address a common perception that Christians can be a bit odd or even irrational. Drawing from Acts 2:13-36, we examine how early Christians faced similar accusations and how Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, responded to these charges. Through this scriptural lens, we will uncover valuable lessons on how to handle misunderstandings and accusations about our faith.

Key Points:

• Understanding the Perception:
  • Many new converts hear from friends, "What happened to you? You used to be fun, and now all you do is read your Bible and go to church."
  • Friends and family might think they've lost their minds because they no longer engage in the same activities.
• Historical Context:
  • On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled the believers, some onlookers thought they were drunk because of their unusual behaviour.
• Peter's Response:
  • Peter stands up and addresses the crowd, denying the accusation of drunkenness and providing a rational explanation.
  • He cites the prophecy from Joel to explain that the events were a fulfilment of God's promise.
• Lessons from Peter's Response:
  • Address misconceptions directly.
  • Provide a rational explanation.
  • Ground your response in Scripture.
• Application for Today:
  • When faced with accusations or misunderstandings about our faith, follow Peter's example.
  • Use Scripture to provide a reasoned and respectful answer.
  • Share the truth of God's Word, even if people think it’s irrational.
• The Power of Scripture:
  • Peter's use of Old Testament prophecy demonstrates the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.
  • The Word of God is living and powerful, capable of transforming hearts and minds.
• Jesus' Death and Resurrection:
  • Peter shifts the focus to Jesus, emphasizing His miracles, crucifixion, and resurrection.
  • Christianity is unique because it proclaims a living founder—Jesus Christ—who was dead but is now alive.
• The Ascension and Exaltation:
  • Jesus' ascension and exaltation to the right hand of God.
  • The outpouring of the Holy Spirit as a fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy.
• Engaging with Objections:
  • When faced with objections, respond with calmness, clarity, and Scripture.
  • Focus on the core message of Christianity—Jesus' death and resurrection.

Conclusion: Peter's sermon in Acts 2 provides a model for how to respond to accusations with truth and grace. By addressing misconceptions directly, providing rational explanations, and grounding our responses in Scripture, we can effectively share the hope that is within us. Let’s stand up, speak out, and trust God to work through our words, just as Peter did on the day of Pentecost.

Thank you for joining us today. Let's continue to explore the depth and richness of God's Word together.

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Jeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | Patreon

Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

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For an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere at;
patreon.com/JeremyMcCandless

Subscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.
https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

Welcome

If you've ever wondered about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and its significance in the life of a believer, this episode is for you. We'll look at this scriptural account of Pentecost and discuss its implications for us today. Let's dive in!

Episode Notes: A Biblical View of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12)

Introduction

• Reflect on a personal experience with a conversation about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.
• Mention the common questions and curiosity about this topic among Christians.
• Brief overview of Pentecostal and charismatic beliefs regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecostal Doctrine

• Outline of the classic Pentecostal teaching:
  • Necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit after salvation.
  • Association of this baptism with speaking in tongues as a heavenly language.

Key Questions

• Timing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit: at conversion or after?
• Significance of the baptism: does it provide power, and are believers powerless without it?
• Nature of speaking in tongues: human language or heavenly language?

Scriptural Examination: Acts 2:1-12

• Context of Pentecost:
  • Meaning of "Pentecost" and its occurrence fifty days after Passover.
  • Historical significance of Passover and Pentecost in the Old Testament.
• Event Description:
  • Coming of the Holy Spirit.
  • Reactions of people in Jerusalem: confusion and amazement.
• Key Verses:
  • Acts 2:1-4: Sound of a rushing mighty wind, appearance of tongues of fire, filling with the Holy Spirit, speaking in other tongues.
  • Acts 2:5-12: Multinational audience hearing their own languages, amazement, and the question, "What does this mean?"

Baptism vs. Filling of the Holy Spirit

• Distinction between baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit.
• Biblical evidence and theological explanations from the Epistles.
• Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
  • Unites believers into the Body of Christ.
  • Empowers for service.
  • Occurs at conversion.
• The Filling of the Holy Spirit:
  • Continuous experience for empowerment and service.

Speaking in Tongues

• Acts 2:5-12: Evidence that the tongues spoken were known human languages.
• Examination of 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 8 regarding the concept of heavenly languages.
• Clarification that biblical instances of tongues are intelligible human languages.

Theological Significance of Pentecost

• Historical and prophetic fulfillment of Pentecost.
• The baptism of the Holy Spirit as the initiation of the church.
• Unity in the Body of Christ:
  • Importance of unity among believers.
  • Illustration of interdependence within the Body of Christ.

Conclusion

• Appreciate the unity and completeness we have in Christ.
• Reflecton the importan

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Episode Overview

Imagine a group of spiritually minded individuals huddled together in a room, trying to discern the will of God. How do we determine the will of God? Ephesians 5:17 commands us to “understand the will of the Lord,” indicating its importance. In Acts 1, the apostles seem to use a method akin to flipping a coin, raising questions about their discernment process. In this episode, we explore Acts 1:12-26 to uncover how the apostles discerned God's will and what we can learn from their process.

Key Points Discussed

1. The Gathering in Prayer (Acts 1:12-14):
   • After Jesus' ascension, the apostles return to Jerusalem and gather in an upper room, devoted to prayer.
   • This prayerful gathering includes the apostles, Mary the mother of Jesus, His brothers, and other believers.
2. The Need for Replacement (Acts 1:15-20):
   • Peter addresses the need to replace Judas Iscariot, quoting Psalms to justify this action.
   • Emphasis on choosing someone who was with Jesus from His baptism to His ascension.
3. The Selection Process (Acts 1:21-26):
   • Two candidates are nominated: Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias.
   • After praying for God's guidance, they cast lots, and Matthias is chosen.
4. Lessons on Discerning God's Will:
   • Prayer: The apostles were devoted to prayer, seeking divine direction before making decisions.
   • Scripture: Peter referenced the Psalms, showing the importance of grounding decisions in the Word of God.
   • Community: The decision involved the entire community of believers, emphasizing the value of collective discernment.
   • Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Casting lots was an expression of trust in God's control over the outcome.
5. Application for Today:
   • Pray Earnestly: Seek God’s guidance in all decisions.
   • Consult Scripture: Let the Bible inform and direct your choices.
   • Involve the Community: Seek counsel from spiritually mature believers.
   • Trust God: Place confidence in His sovereignty over the outcomes.

Reflection Questions

1. How does understanding the apostles' method of discerning God’s will impact your approach to decision-making?
2. In what ways can you incorporate prayer, Scripture, community, and trust in God’s sovereignty into your daily life?
3. How can you create opportunities for group prayer and collective discernment within your community?

Practical Applications

• Pray for Wisdom: Regularly ask God to guide your decisions.
• Study Scripture: Make Bible study a daily habit to understand God’s principles.
• Seek Counsel: Discuss decisions with trusted, mature Christians.
• Trust in God: Have faith that God will guide your steps according to His will.

Conclusion

Determining God's will can be challenging, but by following the principles of prayer, Scripture, community, and trust, we can discern His direction in our lives. The apostles' example in Acts 1 provides a timeless model for seeking God's guidance.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with others who might benefit from these biblical principles for daily practice. God bless you!

Support the show

Jeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | Patreon

Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.
https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com