Sermon Summary
In Acts 2, after the Spirit gives the disciples the gift of tongues, they ask, "What does this mean?” This is the central question driving this week’s sermon in our short study of Acts 1-2. Pastor Phill guides us through three key questions to understand the meaning of the gift of tongues:
First, when did the gift of tongues occur? It happened at Pentecost, the moment God planned to fulfill His promise of pouring out His Spirit. Pentecost mirrors the event at Mount Sinai, where God gave His law. In Acts 2, the Spirit replaces the law written on stone by writing it on our hearts.
Second, where did the gift of tongues happen? The Spirit descended not in the Jerusalem temple but in a random house—symbolizing that God's presence is no longer confined to one location but is now accessible everywhere. This parallels how the internet evolved from large, centralized systems to portable devices. In a greater sense, Jesus’ ascension makes God’s power and presence available everywhere on earth.
Third, what does speaking in tongues mean? The gift of tongues represents Spirit-filled speech, which is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. The event in Acts 2 redeems and reverses the story of the Tower of Babel: where humans sought to build their way to heaven and make their own name great, Pentecost marks God's Spirit coming down so that His people can disperse, carrying His name to the ends of the earth.
Through these three questions, Pastor Phill reveals how Acts 2 not only answers the crowd’s question, “What does this mean?” but also unveils the power and purpose of Spirit-filled speaking for the unity and mission of the Church.
Sermon Outline:
1. When did they speak in tongues? At Pentecost—the Father’s appointed time to fulfill His promises.
2. Where did they speak in tongues? In an unnamed house in Jerusalem, but NOT in the temple.
3. What does speaking in tongues mean? It is Spirit-filled speech is God’s power for salvation.
Sermon Text: Acts 2:1-41
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.[b] 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,[c]delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Discussion Questions:
What is the importance of having unity in the gospel?
what is the gift of tongues and what does it mean?
what is the purpose of the day of Pentecost? How does Acts 1:4-8 help us further understand the purpose?
How do the events at Mount Sinai help us understand the ministry of the spirit?
How does the temple in Jerusalem give significance to the ministry of the Holy Spirit now?
How does God’s plan to restore Israel give importance to understanding God’s plan for the world?
What is the importance of us teaching the Bible and what it means to one another?
How have we seen God’s word being spoken impact and change your life?
Act 3: The Restoration of God’s Place