Where the Spirit Reigns (Rules, Governs, Leads).
August 3, 2025
Acts 2:38–47 (NIV) 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Jewish people gathered to celebrate:
-The end of the Wheat Harvest.
-The Giving of the Law of Moses (and the Ten Commandments) on Mt Sinai.
As the Crowd of people was coming to Jerusalem:
-120 of Jesus’ Disciples were in the upper room.
-The Holy Spirit Fell upon them like a Rushing Mighty Wind.
-They began to speak in other languages (tongues of fire).
-Peter Preaches the Good News (his First sermon)
to this massive crowd of people.
Acts 2:36–38 (NIV) 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this:
God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3000 souls believed and were saved:
Acts 2:41 (NIV) Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
-They were Baptized to Display their Identification with Jesus Christ.
-They immediately join the fellowship of Believers.
Acts 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42 (NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Where the Spirit Reigns (Rules, Governs, Leads),
Good Things Happen.
Acts 2:38 (NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:39–40 (NIV) 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
We need to let the Holy Spirit Reign (Rules, Governs, Leads) in our Lives, Homes, and Church.
We can Hinder the Holy Spirit:
Ephesians 4:30 (NKJV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Grieve is to bring sorrow, to make sad, to cause pain.
Ephesians 4:30 (NLT) And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Quench is to Extinguish, to Stifle,
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NKJV) Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (NLT) Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 (TPT) Never restrain or put out the fire
of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles took Responsibility for these New Converts.
-They were not expecting such a great catch of souls.
-They became what Jesus said they would be:
“You will be fishers of men.”
Matthew 4:18–20 (NKJV) 18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
–With the Help of the Holy Spirit, They were ready for the task.
Servant Leaders, it’s time to rise up to the Challenge:
The Holy Spirit led the Apostles and these New Christians.
When the Holy Spirit Reigns in your life, you Live and Act a different way.
These new Believers experienced:
Spiritual Growth, Maturity, and the Joy of the Lord.
Where the Spirit Reigns (Rules, Governs, Leads), You are Devoted, Continue Steadfastly.
42 (NIV) They devoted themselves (NKJV: continued steadfastly)
to the apostles’ teaching (NKJV: doctrine)
and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
(NIV) They devoted (NKJV: continued steadfastly).
Greek: prŏskartĕrĕō:
to be earnest towards, to persevere, to be constantly diligent,
to adhere closely to, to endure, to tarry, to remain, to cleave faithfully, to continually insist on something.
They devoted themselves (NKJV: continued steadfastly) to:
1. Teaching:
Acts 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Quote: Where the Spirit reigns, believers relate to the Word—teaching.
a. They were Hungry for the Word of God that was being taught to them.
When the Holy Spirit reigns in your life,
You want more of the Word of God.
Colossians 3:16–17 (NKJV) 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
b. They Desired Discipleship.
The Apostles taught what Jesus taught them.
-Jesus taught them to be disciples.
Not to be religious of traditional.
Not to follow their own feelings, emotions,
Not to follow the way of the world.
-Jesus received them.
-Jesus corrected them.
Matthew 16:24–26 (NLT) 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
They devoted themselves (NKJV: continued steadfastly) to:
1. Teaching:
2. Fellowship:
42 (NIV) They devoted themselves (NKJV: continued steadfastly)
to the apostles’ teaching (NKJV: doctrine)
and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
We sometimes use the word “Fellowship” to mean, Go out with other brothers or sisters from the church and eat, and have a good time.
Fellowship has a deeper meaning:
Fellowship means, (Greek: koinonia)
-Partnership, Participation, Being in common with, to Share with.
-It is to share and participate in others’ victories, hurts, or needs.
-In the N.T. Fellowship is to: Partner by Contributing or Giving.
2 Corinthians 8:4 (NLT) They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing (Greek: koinonia)in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV) Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing (Greek: koinonia)with them and with everyone else.
In Acts 4:42, Fellowship is used to express Contributing or Giving.
Acts 2:44–45 (NIV) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
The Word “Common” in Greek is “kŏinŏs”.
Fellowship is a Work of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV) May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
As you draw close to God, Fellowship begins to Happen with others.
1 John 1:3 (NIV) We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Real Fellowship is not just having a cup of coffee and donuts together.
It involves giving of yourself to others.
Not just taking.
They devoted themselves (NKJV: continued steadfastly) to:
1. Teaching:
2. Fellowship
3. Worship
Acts 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
A. Breaking of Bread in Holy Communion:
The sacrifice that Jesus did was constantly before them.
Never Forget What Jesus had done for you.
B. Prayer: Staying in constant communication with Jesus.
Continually, Thanking God and Bringing Requests to God.
Real Worship that leads to Living a Life that Honors Jesus.
Romans 12:1–2 (NIV) 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Where The Spirit Reigns:
They devoted themselves (NKJV: continued steadfastly) to:
1. Teaching.
2. Fellowship.
3. Worship
4. Soul Winning – Evangelism.
Acts 2:46–47 (NIV) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
They were soul winners.
Quote: When the Spirit reigns, God’s people relate to the world the way they should.
-Representing Jesus and Sharing the Love of Jesus to the World.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
-Being a Witness and a Good Example to the World.
Romans 10:13–15 (NIV) 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”