the Holy Spirit and the Mission of the Church | Jamb Christian Religious Studies

The Pentecost (Acts 1:8; 2:1-41)

1. Pentecost occurs 50 days after the Passover, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
2. Acts 1:8 promises that the apostles will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
3. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness for Christ beyond their local context.
4. The apostles are gathered in one place in Jerusalem, waiting for the Holy Spirit as instructed by Jesus.
5. The Holy Spirit arrives suddenly with the sound of a violent wind and tongues of fire.
6. The apostles begin to speak in different languages as the Holy Spirit enables them (Acts 2:4).
7. Pentecost fulfills Jesus’ promise of sending the Comforter (John 14:16).
8. The people in Jerusalem are amazed and perplexed by the apostles’ ability to speak in various languages.
9. The event of Pentecost marks the beginning of the Christian Church’s public ministry.
10. Peter delivers a powerful sermon explaining the event, quoting Old Testament prophecy (Joel 2:28-32).
11. Peter emphasizes the role of Jesus, His death, resurrection, and exaltation in fulfilling God's plan (Acts 2:22-24).
12. The Holy Spirit’s coming signifies the fulfillment of God’s covenant with His people.
13. The crowd is convicted and asks Peter what they must do to be saved (Acts 2:37).
14. Peter calls for repentance, baptism, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
15. Approximately 3,000 people are baptized and added to the church that day (Acts 2:41).
16. The Pentecost event marks the first major expansion of the Christian Church outside the Jewish community.
17. The Holy Spirit gives believers the courage to preach the gospel boldly, even in the face of persecution.
18. The Pentecost experience demonstrates God's active role in the establishment and growth of the church.
19. The unity of the apostles at Pentecost symbolizes the communal nature of the Church.
20. Pentecost shows that the gospel is intended for all people, regardless of language or ethnicity.
21. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost equips believers for effective service and witness.
22. Pentecost marks the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission to spread the gospel to all nations.
23. The believers’ fellowship and communal living post-Pentecost highlight the Church’s foundational practice of unity (Acts 2:42-47).
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The Mission of the Church (Acts 8:4-40)

24. The mission of the Church extends beyond Jerusalem to Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
25. The persecution of the early Church leads to the scattering of believers, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy of spreading the gospel.
26. Philip, one of the deacons, goes to Samaria and preaches the gospel with great success (Acts 8:5-8).
27. The Samaritans accept the gospel, leading to the Church’s first cross-cultural expansion (Acts 8:14-17).
28. The Holy Spirit directs Philip to encounter the Ethiopian eunuch, a powerful figure who is reading Scripture but doesn’t understand it (Acts 8:26-29).
29. Philip explains the gospel to the eunuch, focusing on the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:30-35).
30. The eunuch, after hearing the gospel, requests baptism, symbolizing acceptance of the Christian faith (Acts 8:36-39).
31. The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch represents the first major instance of Gentile inclusion in the Christian faith.
32. The Church’s mission includes personal evangelism, as seen in Philip’s interaction with the eunuch.
33. The Church’s mission emphasizes obedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading in spreading the gospel.
34. Philip’s preaching in Samaria shows that the mission of the Church is to reach out to marginalized groups.
35. The conversion of the eunuch underscores the Church's mission to reach all nations, regardless of race or status.
36. The successful preaching in Samaria demonstrates the Church’s effectiveness in overcoming cultural and geographical boundaries.
37. The mission of the Church is not just about salvation but also about baptizing and teaching new disciples.
38. Philip’s role highlights the importance of individual Christians participating in the Church’s mission.
39. The Church’s mission involves both evangelizing and helping people understand Scripture and the gospel.
40. The inclusion of Gentiles in the early Church points to the universality of the gospel message.
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Tracing the Story of the Pentecost

41. The story begins with the apostles’ instruction to wait for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem.
42. The apostles experience a powerful spiritual event marked by wind, fire, and speaking in different languages.
43. Peter addresses the crowd, explaining that the event fulfills prophecy and demonstrates the power of Jesus.
44. The apostles’ preaching leads to mass conversion, marking the beginning of the Church’s public witness.
45. The story of Pentecost is foundational in Christian history, as it initiates the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem.
46. The story of Pentecost demonstrates the Church’s reliance on the Holy Spirit for empowerment and direction.
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Examining the Significance of the Pentecost Experience

47. Pentecost signifies the empowerment of the Church to fulfill the Great Commission.
48. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marks the beginning of God’s new work in the world through the Church.
49. Pentecost demonstrates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Holy Spirit.
50. The experience signifies the transformation of the apostles from timid followers to bold witnesses of Jesus Christ.

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