The Gospel that Forms the Church

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview 

God forgives and gives his Spirit to all who turn to the exalted Christ.

I. The power: the promised Spirit has come (vv. 1-13)

II. The message: the crucified Jesus is King (vv. 14-36)

III. The response: repent and be forgiven and filled (vv. 37-41)

Digging Deeper    

The power: the promised Spirit has come (vv. 1-13) 

1. In Acts 2:1-13, we see God empowering his people by the Spirit to preach the gospel (declare the mighty works of Jesus’ death and resurrection) across language barriers, that he might clearly show that the gospel is for everyone. What are some reasons we should rejoice and be thankful that God’s saving purposes through the Gospel are global (“every tribe, tongue, people and nation”)?   

2. Acts 2:1-13 shows us that one of the things God wants to empower his people for, by the Spirit, is to speak about Jesus to others. Have you ever sensed the Spirit of God empowering you to bear witness to Christ?  If so, please share that story.

3. What might it look like for you to seek a greater degree of the Spirit’s empowerment to bear witness to “the mighty works of God” as seen in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection?  

4. What do you think might be some potential fruit of pursuing #3 above?   

The message: the crucified Jesus is King (vv. 14-36) 

5. This sermon helped us see from these verses (2:14-36) that Jesus is Lord in the fullest, truest sense: he is God himself; he is Christ, the King, who has been exalted to the right hand of God. Is there any sphere of your life in which you are less inclined to be mindful that Jesus is King and acknowledge him as such?  

6. As Lord and King, Jesus is worthy of our absolute allegiance. What is a recent example of a choice you have made because of your allegiance to King Jesus? 

The response: repent and be forgiven and filled (vv. 37-41) 

7. The way we receive the free gift of forgiveness and the gift of the Spirit is by repentance. Do you remember the first time you repented? What did that look like?  Please share.

8. What place does repentance have in your life currently? 

9. Have you been baptized (as a believer)?  If you have, please briefly share your baptism story.  

10. If you have not been baptized (as a believer) - why haven’t you?  

Prayer