Many People Hear God’s Mighty Works

Acts 2:1-41

The Big Idea

God’s mighty works were heard by people from many nations. The Holy Spirit helped the believers share the message across language differences.

The Bible Story

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Acts 2:5-13 describes devout Jews and proselytes from many nations who were in Jerusalem. They heard the believers speaking in languages they understood and declaring God’s mighty works. The listeners were amazed and puzzled because people from different places could hear this message clearly. Some asked what it meant. Others mocked the believers, saying they were drunk. The passage presents confusion and mockery, but not a threatening crowd. This moment follows the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the gathered believers. The Spirit enabled them to speak in other languages. The people in the crowd came from the regions and peoples listed in Acts 2; the account does not name individual listeners. This event shows God’s message reaching people from many nations. Peter speaks to the crowd in the next part of the chapter, explaining what has happened and proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Messiah.

Themes

God’s message reaching people from many nations Jesus’ resurrection, lordship, and Messiahship Proclamation of God’s mighty works Repentance, baptism, forgiveness, and receiving the Holy Spirit The beginning and growth of the church The coming and power of the Holy Spirit

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Devout Jews and proselytes from many nations hear the believers speaking in their own languages about God’s mighty works. Create a multicultural crowd with several listeners looking amazed or puzzled, while a small number respond with gentle mockery rather than threat.

Talk together

Talk about it

Why were the listeners amazed and puzzled?
How can people share God’s goodness with others?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page to discuss Pentecost, the Holy Spirit’s power, and God’s message reaching people from many nations. Invite children to notice the different languages represented, then explain that the believers spoke as the Spirit enabled them. Present the mockery gently, without making the crowd frightening or pressuring children toward a religious decision.

Source note