What was Peter’s main message here? What word did he use to describe that generation?
With what attitude did the people receive his word? How many? What did they do after they had received his word?
What three things were involved with being in their group of believers?
What did the apostles do in verse 43? What was the attitude of the believers?
What did they do with their possessions?
Where were they?
What attitude did they have as they fellowshipped and ate?
Did they have favor with the people?
Who added to the church?

Thought Questions

How did Peter describe his generation in verse 40? Does that sound accepting, and even loving? But do you think he loved the people? Why did Peter preach that message the way he did?
When the people received Peter’s words, did they just think they were pretty good ideas and went on with their lives the same way? What did they do? What do you think they thought about “organized religion?”
Does your church practice all the things listed in verse 42? Is there any aspect that your church shies away from?
What kind of “fear” is mentioned in verse 43? Were they scared, or reverent? How is your level of reverence–personally, and at church? Do you think the “many wonders and signs” might have a connection to this fear?
What was the attitude of the church members in v. 44-47? Do you have that attitude about being a member of God’s Church?
Why do you think they shared everything? Do you think they chose to, or did someone tell them to? What attitude do you think they had about it? Would you be willing to do likewise?
What was the other people’s opinion of them in verse 47? We know that not only was Jesus Christ recently murdered, but that the church would very soon go through a time of harsh opposition and persecution. Why do you think this was spared at that time?

My prayer is:
that I would not only receive Christ’s Word, but receive it with gladness;
that my church would have the Spirit of God to continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers;
and that I, and my church, would have a holy fear of God that would give us His power to do His work.

Who spoke up to defend them from the accusations of drunkenness? What defense did he give?
Which prophet did Peter quote?
According to the Word of God through Joel, when would the Spirit be poured out? Who would receive it then?
What are the “signs and wonders” talked about in this prophecy?
What will the people have to do to be saved?
When Peter speaks to the men of Israel, how does he say Jesus of Nazareth was approved/attested by God to them? Did the people know of these?
Did God plan for Jesus to be delivered to them?
What did the people do to Jesus?
What, then, did God do? Why?
Who does Peter quote then?
What did David foresee? How did he react?
Where will God not leave His soul?
What would the Holy One not see?
Where did Peter say David is now?
Why did David know that Christ would be resurrected?
How did the disciples know the same thing–the fulfillment of David’s prophecy?
According to verse 33, what two things happened to Jesus after His resurrection? What, in turn, happened on earth?
Did David ascend to the heavens?
So, who is it that David was referencing, instead of himself?
How did the people respond to Peter’s sermon?
What two things did Peter say the people should do? Then, what would happen as a result?
What is baptism for?
Who is the promise for?

Thought Questions

Why did Peter quote the Old Testament prophets? Are the words from the Old Testament still relevant and useful today? Could there be times when a knowledge of the OT prophecies could come in handy in explaining God’s ways when you speak with others about Him? Do you feel that you know enough to use them properly?
Read the passage from Joel (ch. 2:28-32). Summarize it in your thoughts: How was Peter applying it? Could there be any other applications (“the last days”)? Have there been any fulfillments of these prophecies on Earth since then?
Read the passage from David (Ps. 16:8-11, as well as the rest of Psalm 16). Who was Peter applying it to? How does Peter reason that David intended this application? (Hint: verses 29-31 of Acts 2)
Is David in heaven? (see verse 29, 34) What did Peter believe about where people go after death, according to this verse? Who, apparently, is the only Person whose “soul was not left in hell (Hades)” because He was resurrected (read verse 31)?
What does verse 33 tell you about what Jesus did when He returned to Heaven? Do you believe He is still doing this job to this day?
What strikes you about verse 37? How were these listeners different from the Pharisees and rulers you find in the Gospels? If you were there, which way would you respond?
What is baptism, according to the Bible? What is baptism for? Therefore, what are we publicly stating when we are baptized? Can this happen as an infant? Would you be willing to be baptized, if you are not already? What, according to verse 38, can you gain from it?
Is salvation available only to a particular people group? What does it mean to be called by God? Can we choose to be called? What about what we just read in verse 38?

My prayer is:
that the Holy Spirit would guide me in my study of the Old Testament prophecies, so that I might be better prepared to understand their fulfillment;
To praise and adore Christ Jesus, the only One who has not remained in the grave, but has ascended to Heaven and is seated on the throne;
Thankfulness that Christ has given the gift of the Holy Spirit to all types of people, to as many as will hear His call.

On what day were the disciples all together in one accord?
Where did the sound come from? What did it sound like?
How is the fire described?
What did they do when they received the Holy Spirit?
How were the Jews in verse 5 described? Where were they from?
When did the multitude come together?
What did the people hear?
Where did they say the disciples who were speaking multiple languages were from?
List the places the visitors were from.
What were the disciples speaking about in the people’s languages?
What explanation did the mockers give?

Thought Questions

Do you think the disciples “being all together in one accord” had something to do with the reception of the Holy Spirit? Do you think they would have received the same power if they had gone their separate ways? (See Acts 1:4.)
Does the Holy Spirit always show amazing, perceivable signs like sound and fire when He descends on a person? What was the difference here? Why did He show those particular signs? Who were the signs for–the disciples, or all the multitudes of foreigners as well as Jews in Jerusalem, or a mixture of both?
Is God’s power less if the Holy Spirit does not show amazing signs?
What was the main purpose of the disciples being able to speak other languages? Was it just to impress people, or was it to share the gospel clearly to all people?

My prayer is:
To be in one accord with my fellow Christian believers, so we might do Your work with unity;
To receive the Holy Spirit and be able to accomplish the work You have assigned for me to do for you;
And to believe in the Holy Spirit’s power whether or not amazing signs are displayed.

Where did the disciples go after they left Olivet?
Name the people who went to the upper room at this time (the men listed, plus the women and others). Who was the only woman specifically named?
What did they do there?
How large had the list of disciples grown to?
Who stood up in their midst to give a presentation?
How did he address them?
Who did Peter say the Scripture had pointed to, and had to be fulfilled? Which prophet spoke the words?
What did Judas do?
What was the prophecy? Read Psalm 41:9
What was the sorry end of Judas? What was the field known as to those in Jerusalem?
What other two prophecies did Peter refer to?
What position exactly was Peter trying to fill? (see the end of verse 22) What were the qualifications?
Who were the two people they proposed?
What was the first thing they did to try to make the decision? What did they do next?
Who won?

Thought Questions

What was the very first thing the apostles did after Jesus ascended, before they did anything to organize themselves? What was the first thing they did before they chose the 12th disciple? Do you pray before every decision or important action, in business as well as spiritual matters? Or is prayer an afterthought?
From what you know of Peter from the Gospels, do you think he was qualified to be the chairman of the group? Why do you think he had that position? (Hint: one page before, John 21:15-19)
Who did Peter address in verse 16? Although there were women in the group (v. 14), do you think they were involved in the business meeting? Why or why not?
Why did Judas meet with such an unhappy end? (Matt. 27:5) Why do some evil actions meet their natural consequences on earth, but others don’t seem to?
What position exactly was Peter trying to fill? What was the difference between the Twelve Disciples and the general assembly of apostles (about 120 at that time)? (Hint: verses 21-22)
Did it appear, from the passage, that the disciples had a lengthy argument over the pros and cons of each man’s resume? How does this compare to some church business meetings you might have attended or heard about? How can we apply this lesson? (Not that the early church was free from dispute: see Acts 15:6-7)
How was the position of disciple really decided? Should we always use lots to make every decision? But are there any instances in your life where you ought to let God do the deciding instead of holding to your opinions?

My prayer is:
that I would make prayer my first line of action before any other business or decisions;
that I would make every endeavor to be in harmony with my fellow church members through the Spirit of Christ;
and that I would learn to let go of my opinions in favor of God’s leading.