Discussion Questions
– Read Acts 2:41-47 and Acts 1:8. How do you read these texts? One reaction is fear–the standard is too high. Another reaction is to say, let’s do this. What is your reaction?
– To those who are eager to get out there for missions and evangelism and to build community, I believe that there’s an underlying confidence that we can pull this off given the right circumstances (eloquent speaker, great band, kids program). Can you identify with this?
– Why is Acts 1:4 such a crucial verse without which the book of Acts doesn’t make much sense? If we strip out the activity of the Holy Spirit and the rest of the supernatural elements of the book of Acts, what are you left with?
– Do you have a hard time waiting? What do you think the reasons are?
– What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Is it connected to our salvation or is it something else? How would you explain Acts 2:1-4 and the role and/or necessity of speaking in tongues? Is the baptism of the Spirit a one time event or a continuous filling over the course of a believer’s life? To help answer these questions, read the following passages: Eph 5:15-21, 1 Cor 12:1-31, Joel 2:28-32, Luke 24:44-49.
– Describe the silent divorce of the church between the charismatics and the Reformed. What weird theologies and practices flow out of the extreme expressions of each camp? How should we view these 2 seemingly opposing camps? Hint: what kind of worshipers is God looking for?
– What happened in Peter’s life immediately after he was baptized or filled by the Holy Spirit?
– From Acts 1:8, how would you define the main ministry of the Holy Spirit?
– While we are waiting for this baptism/filling of the Spirit, what are we to do in the meantime as a church?
– Bonus question #1: Read 1 Cor 12-14 as one unit to learn about the spiritual gifts. 1 Cor 13 is sandwiched in the middle. What can you learn from this structure?
– Bonus question #2: Discuss the difference and the relationship between the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit.