The Holy Spirit at Pentecost – SS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

The Holy Spirit is God the Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, whom Jesus promised to send to His disciples.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State who the Holy Spirit is and give the names by which He is called.
2. Describe how the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost.
3. Explain the main points of Peter’s first speech.
4. State the effect of Peter’s speech on the people.
5. Give the importance of the Holy Spirit and the significance of His coming.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity of the Godhead, sent by the Father and the Son to guide the Church.

• Counsellor: He advises and directs the affairs of the Church.
• Comforter: He strengthens and consoles believers.
• Instructor and Teacher: He helps believers understand the word of God.
• Spirit of Truth: He guides believers into all truth (John 16:13).
• Paraclete: this is the Greek title for the Holy Spirit, meaning one called alongside to help.

What was the promise of the Holy Spirit? (Acts 1:8)

The promise of the Holy Spirit was Jesus’ word that the Father would send power from above to His disciples.

• Appearances: Jesus appeared to His disciples many times within forty days after His resurrection.
• Great commission: He told them to evangelise the whole world by teaching and preaching.
• Baptism: They were to baptise people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• Waiting: He told them to stay in Jerusalem until they received power from above.
• Guidance: He assured them that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth.

Jesus said: “John baptised with water, but before many days you shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)

Why is the Holy Spirit important?

The Holy Spirit is important because He gives believers the power and understanding to serve God.

1. He enables one to work effectively for God.
2. He gives wisdom to understand the gospel message.
3. He gives spiritual courage to preach and win souls for God.

How did the Holy Spirit come at Pentecost? (Acts 2:1-13)

The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, ten days after the ascension of Jesus, and filled the waiting disciples.

What was the Pentecost festival?

Pentecost was a Jewish agricultural festival, also called the Feast of Weeks, held on the fiftieth day after the Passover.

• Timing: It came seven weeks after the Passover.
• Purpose: The Jews thanked God for a successful farming year and asked for His protection and blessing in the next.
• Crowds: Many Jews came from far and near to celebrate in Jerusalem.
• Christian equivalent: Whit-Sunday is the Christian festival that corresponds to the Jewish Pentecost.

How was a successor to Judas Iscariot chosen?

Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot and complete the twelve Apostles before the Holy Spirit came.

1. The disciples, about one hundred and twenty in number, were praying and waiting for the promise.
2. Peter stood up and spoke to them about choosing a successor to Judas.
3. The qualification was personal knowledge of Jesus and His ministry.
4. Two men were put forward: Joseph called Barsabbas, and Matthias.
5. After prayer and casting of lots, Matthias was chosen.

What happened on the day of Pentecost?

The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit while praying together in the upper room.

• Place: They were in the upper room where they had eaten the last supper with Jesus.
• Reason for staying: They had remained there after the ascension for fear of the Jews.
• Activity: They prayed and worshipped together.

The signs of the Spirit’s coming were as follows:

How did the crowd react?

The crowd was amazed because each person heard the disciples speak in his own language.

• Gathering: People in Jerusalem for the feast heard the noise and rushed to see.
• Mesopotamia and the east: Parthians, Medes, Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia.
• Judea and Asia Minor: People from Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia.
• North Africa: People from Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene.
• Others: Visitors from Rome, Crete and Arabia.
• Mockers: Some people laughed at the disciples and accused them of being drunk.

What did Peter say in his first speech? (Acts 2:14-41)

Peter’s first speech was his reply to the charge of drunkenness, and it proved that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah.

1. He said the disciples were not drunk, since it was only the third hour of the day, that is, 9.00 am.
2. He quoted the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28) to show that the disciples were under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
3. He cited the miracles, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus as proofs of His Messiahship.
4. He said God raised Jesus from the dead, as David had prophesied (Psalm 16:10).
5. He said Jesus had ascended into heaven, received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, and sent the Spirit to His disciples.
6. He concluded that the outpouring of the Spirit, shown by the gift of tongues, proved that God had made the crucified Jesus both Lord and Christ.

Peter used the words of David: “For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption.” (Acts 2:27, quoting Psalm 16:10)

What was the effect of Peter’s first speech?

The speech convicted the hearers, and about three thousand people were converted that day.

1. The people were deeply touched by what Peter said.
2. They saw that they had been blind for not recognising Jesus as Christ.
3. They accepted responsibility for persecuting Him as a false Christ and admitted their guilt for crucifying Him.
4. They asked, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
5. Peter told them to repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:37-38).
6. He promised that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
7. They did as Peter said, and about three thousand converts were made.

How does the Holy Spirit work today?

The Holy Spirit still works in the Church today as He did in the days of the Apostles.

• Gifts and signs: Christians speak in tongues, prophesy, see visions, receive revelations and perform signs and miracles.
• Boldness: Believers preach with courage.
• Service: Through the Spirit, Christians serve as Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, Teachers and Prophets.

What is the significance of the coming of the Holy Spirit?

The coming of the Holy Spirit shows that God keeps His promises.

• Promise fulfilled: God sent the Holy Spirit on the Disciples/Apostles on the day of Pentecost as Jesus had said.
• God’s character: It shows that God is reliable, dependable and trustworthy in His dealings with human beings.
• Lesson: God never fails in His promise.

Evaluation

1. State four names or titles given to the Holy Spirit.
2. What was the Pentecost festival, and when was it held?
3. Describe what happened in the upper room on the day of Pentecost.
4. Why did Peter make his first speech, and what were its main points?
5. Give three reasons why the Holy Spirit is important to Christians.

Assignment

Write a short account of the effect of Peter’s first speech on the people who heard it, and explain the significance of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.