Acts 1:12-26, 2:1-13

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a

Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room

where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and

Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and

Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the

women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred

and twenty) 16 and said, ‘Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the

Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those

who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.’

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell

headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem

heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of

Blood.)

20 ‘For,’ said Peter, ‘it is written in the Book of Psalms:

‘“May his place be deserted;

let there be no one to dwell in it,”

and,

‘“May another take his place of leadership.”

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole

time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time

when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his

resurrection.’

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and

Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these

two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where

he belongs.’ 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the

eleven apostles.

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a

sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house

where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and

came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to

speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one

heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these

who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native

language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and

Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya

near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and

Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ 12 Amazed and

perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’

[a] Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11

Part 1: Waiting in Prayer (Acts 1:12–14)

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a

Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room

where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and

Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and

Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the

women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

1. Active Waiting

In verses 12–14, the disciples return to Jerusalem and devote themselves constantly to

prayer while waiting for the Holy Spirit. What is the difference between passive waiting

(doing nothing) and active waiting as modeled here? How can we practice "active waiting"

in our own lives when seeking God's direction?

2. Restoration of Relationships

Notice who is in the upper room: the apostles (including Peter, who recently denied Jesus),

Mary, Jesus' brothers (who previously doubted Him), and key women. What does this

diverse gathering say about the unifying power of Jesus' resurrection? How can our group

foster that same spirit of unity across our differences?

Part 2: Restoring Leadership (Acts 1:15–26)

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred

and twenty) 16 and said, ‘Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the

Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those

who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.’

18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell

headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem

heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of

Blood.)

20 ‘For,’ said Peter, ‘it is written in the Book of Psalms:

‘“May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,” and,

‘“May another take his place of leadership.”

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole

time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time

when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his

resurrection.’

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and

Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these

two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where

he belongs.’ 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the

eleven apostles.

3. Trusting God's Word in Hard Times

Peter quotes the Psalms to explain Judas’s betrayal and the need to replace him, showing

that even traumatic events fit into God’s sovereign plan. How does groundedness in

Scripture help us process unexpected disappointments or leadership failures today?

4. Criteria for Ministry

When selecting Judas’s replacement, the key qualification was having been an eyewitness

to Jesus’ ministry and resurrection (v. 21–22). Why was eyewitness testimony so vital for

the early Church? What foundational qualities should we look for in ministry leaders today?

Part 3: The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–4)

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a

sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house

where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and

came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to

speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

[a] Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11

6. Timing and Fulfillment

The Holy Spirit descended specifically on the Day of Pentecost (a Jewish harvest festival

celebrating covenant and abundance). Why is the timing of Pentecost significant?

7. Personal indwelling

In the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelt in a temple building, but here, individual

tongues of fire rest on each believer. What are the practical implications of realizing that

God’s presence now dwells within every believer individually and the community

collectively?

Part 4: The Miracle of Tongues (Acts 2:5–13)