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395 illustrations
Acts 2
1Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and it sat on each one of them.
4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
5Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.
6When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.
7They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Behold, aren`t all these who speak Galileans?
8How do we hear, everyone in our own native language?
9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,
10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!"
12They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, "What does this mean?"
13Others, mocking, said, "They are filled with new wine."
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, "You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
15For these aren`t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.
16But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:
17`It will be in the last days, says God, I will pour forth of my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.
18Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the the sky above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.`
22"You men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know,
23him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;
24whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
25For David says concerning him, `I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
26Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;
27Because you will not leave my soul in Hades, Neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
28You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.`
29"Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.
32This Jesus God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this, which you now see and hear.
34For David didn`t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, `The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit by my right hand,
35Until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet."`
36"Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what will we do?"
38Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself."
40With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!"
41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
42They continued steadfastly in the apostles` teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.
43Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44All who believed were together, and had all things common.
45They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.
46Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
47praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 3:1-11 exposes cheap belief—saving faith produces obedience—today, not someday.
SermonWise.ai generates complete sermon outlines for any passage across 17 theological traditions. Try it with Acts.
Generate a sermon →Acts 2: Within the deposit of faith, it meets us gently—draws us into grace through the Church’s sacramental life.
Acts 2: In context, it doesn’t flatter us—calls us to live the text’s core truth with integrity.
Acts 2: By prevenient grace, it meets us gently—invites a real response that grows into holy love.
If Acts 2:1-31 threatens your “normal,” ask who your normal has been hurting—today, not someday.
Acts 2:1-31 warns us: you can inherit religious vocabulary and still miss the living Christ.
Acts 2:1-31 confronts delay—tomorrow’s obedience is today’s disobedience—today, not someday.
Acts 2:1-31 declares that oppression is not permanent when God is present—today, not someday.
Acts 2:1-31 invites ordered love—right worship that spills into right living—today, not someday.
Acts 2: As Law and Gospel, it exposes our need and comforts us with Christ’s gift.
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 feels offensive, remember: the cross is always scandal before it is comfort.
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, the Word confronts the individual and forms a covenant people by conviction.
Acts 2:1-31 assures us: God is not confused by our weakness; He supplies grace for the journey.
If Acts 2:1-31 irritates you, it may be because God is touching the idol you protect.
Acts 2: Under God’s sovereignty, it magnifies grace and summons covenant faithfulness to God’s glory.
Acts 2: In God’s unfolding plan, it clarifies the times and calls us to readiness and hope.
Acts 2: In the Church’s witness, it doesn’t flatter us—calls us to repent, believe, and walk in holy obedience.
Acts 2:1-31 reminds the Church: God’s Word forms God’s people through worship, holiness, and mission.
Acts 2: In soul liberty before God, it doesn’t flatter us—calls for personal faith that bears public fruit.
Acts 2:1-31 shows that freedom is received by faith, not achieved by effort—today, not someday.
Acts 2:1-31 shows that revival is not hype; it is Spirit-wrought transformation—today, not someday.
Acts 2: On the path of theosis, it invites healing communion with God and a transfigured life.
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 50:1-8, 22-23 calls the Church to praxis—faith that acts to transform structures—today, not someday.
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, love becomes public: the kingdom confronts systems that crush the vulnerable.