Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost Sunday
Prepared by Don Cope

Introduction
On Pentecost the gospel dawned in power, birthing the Lord’s church and opening the kingdom to all who obey (Acts 2:1–47). Understanding Acts 2 clarifies the rest of Scripture.

The Day God Chose
Pentecost fell fifty days after the Passover Sabbath—our first day of the week, Sunday (Lev. 23:15–16). It was the feast of weeks/harvest when Jewish men gathered at Jerusalem, placing multitudes within earshot of heaven’s message (Deut. 16:16). Long before, God promised a kingdom planted in Zion, drawing all nations to His word (Isa. 2:2–3; Luke 24:47).

The Spirit Came in Power
Jesus told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for “power from on high” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–5; Mark 9:1). That promise arrived: “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit” and spoke languages they had not learned, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1–4). This was heaven’s seal that the gospel age had begun (Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:16–21).

The First Gospel Sermon
Peter stood with the Eleven and preached Jesus: His miracles, His crucifixion by lawless hands, and His resurrection, all according to God’s plan and David’s prophecy (Acts 2:22–36; Ps. 16:8–11). God made Jesus “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

The Question and the Answer
Cut to the heart, the crowd cried, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter, by the Spirit, gave the condition of salvation: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38–39). The promise reached Jews and “all who are afar off,” anticipating Gentile inclusion (Acts 10:34–35; 11:15–18).

The Lord Added to His Church
Those who gladly received the word were baptized—about three thousand that day (Acts 2:41). The Lord Himself “added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). You cannot be added to a non-existent body; therefore the church of Christ began on Pentecost, in Jerusalem, in the days of the Roman Empire (Acts 2; Matt. 16:18–19).

The Marks of the New Church
The newborn church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42). This simple, Spirit-taught pattern frames our worship and life together (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23–26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 16:1–2).

How the Spirit Guided, Then and Now
On Pentecost the Spirit inspired the apostles’ words and confirmed them with signs (Acts 2:4; Heb. 2:3–4). Through the apostles and their hands, spiritual gifts served until the revealed will of God stood complete and sufficient (Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Cor. 13:8–10; 2 Tim. 3:16–17). Today the Spirit guides us by the written word He gave (John 16:13).

Four Common Responses
When the gospel is preached, people tend to reject, ridicule, resist, or receive. Pentecost shows the blessed way: “They gladly received his word” (Acts 2:41; Rom. 10:17).

Entering the Kingdom
Jesus said we must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom (John 3:3–5). The new birth occurs when penitent believers are baptized into Christ, washing away sins and putting on Christ (Acts 22:16; Mark 16:16; Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13). Then the Lord adds them to His church (Acts 2:47).

Continuing Steadfastly
Steadfast worship and fellowship sustain spiritual life and strengthen the body (Acts 2:42, 46; Heb. 10:24–25). God is patient, desiring all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

Pentecost Sunday Sermon Outline:

• Pentecost’s timing and purpose (Lev. 23:15–16; Deut. 16:16; Isa. 2:2–3)

• The Spirit’s promised power in Jerusalem (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4–5; 2:1–4)

• Peter’s Spirit-given sermon: miracle, cross, resurrection, enthronement (Acts 2:22–36; Ps. 16:8–11; Joel 2:28–32)

• The gospel call and conditions (Acts 2:37–39; Rom. 10:17; John 3:3–5)

• Obedience and addition: 3,000 baptized; the Lord adds to His church (Acts 2:41, 47)

• Worship pattern and steadfast life (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23–26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 16:1–2)

• The Spirit’s confirming work and the sufficiency of Scripture (Heb. 2:3–4; 1 Cor. 13:8–10; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; John 16:13)

• Invitation: be born again; return to steadfastness (Acts 22:16; Heb. 10:24–25; 2 Pet. 3:9)

Call to Action
Hear the gospel and believe that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:17). Repent and be baptized in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16). Be added by the Lord to His church and continue steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:41–42, 47). If you have wandered, return to the path of joy and steadfast worship—today (James 5:19–20; Heb. 10:24–25).

Key Takeaways

• Pentecost fulfilled prophecy and launched the kingdom in Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2–3; Acts 2).

• The Spirit empowered the apostles and confirmed the gospel (Acts 2:4; Heb. 2:3–4).

• Salvation’s conditions are clear: repentance and baptism in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38–39).

• The saved are added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:47).

• The church’s worship pattern is simple and steadfast (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23–26; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 16:1–2).

• The Spirit now guides through the completed word (John 16:13; 2 Tim. 3:16–17).

• Real faith continues steadfastly and fellowships faithfully (Acts 2:46; Heb. 10:24–25).

• The gospel still pierces hearts; receive it gladly (Acts 2:37, 41).

• Entrance into the kingdom is the new birth of water and Spirit (John 3:3–5; Gal. 3:27).

• God longs for your repentance today (2 Pet. 3:9).

Scripture Reference List
Acts 2:1–47 — Pentecost events, sermon, conditions, and church established.
Isaiah 2:2–3 — Zion/kingdom prophecy; nations flowing to God’s word.
Luke 24:47–49; Acts 1:4–5; Mark 9:1 — Promise of power from on high in Jerusalem.
Joel 2:28–32; Psalm 16:8–11 — Prophecies fulfilled in Peter’s sermon.
Acts 2:37–39 — “What shall we do?”; repentance and baptism for remission.
Acts 2:41, 47 — 3,000 baptized; the Lord adds to the church.
Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 — Lord’s Day assembly and supper.
Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 — Congregational singing that teaches.
1 Corinthians 16:1–2 — First-day giving for the saints’ needs.
Hebrews 2:3–4 — Signs confirming the apostolic message.
1 Corinthians 13:8–10 — Miraculous gifts temporary; word sufficient.
2 Timothy 3:16–17; John 16:13 — The Spirit’s word completes and equips.
Romans 10:17 — Faith comes by hearing the word.
John 3:3–5; Acts 22:16; Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13 — New birth, baptism, union with Christ/body.
Hebrews 10:24–25; 2 Peter 3:9; James 5:19–20 — Steadfast assembling; God’s patience; restoring the wanderer.