Big Idea
This month's memory verse
22 "There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at Gods right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
Acts of the Apostles2
The Holy Spirit Comes
1On the day of Pentecost* all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages,* as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7They were completely amazed. How can this be? they exclaimed. These people are all from Galilee, 8and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9Here we areParthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done! 12They stood there amazed and perplexed. What can this mean? they asked each other.
13But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, Theyre just drunk, thats all!
22People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene* by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.
32God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at Gods right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
37Peters words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, Brothers, what should we do?
38Peter replied, Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away*all who have been called by the Lord our God. 40Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, Save yourselves from this crooked generation!
41Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that dayabout 3,000 in all.