Peter Explains the Holy Spirit’s Coming

Acts 2:1-41

The Big Idea

God helped Peter explain what was happening, and God’s message reached people from many nations.

The Bible Story

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Acts 2:14–21 describes Peter standing with the eleven and speaking to the crowd after the Holy Spirit came upon the believers. Some people had mocked them, saying they were drunk, but Peter clearly explained that they were not. He said the event fulfilled Joel’s prophecy about God pouring out his Spirit. Joel’s words spoke of God’s Spirit being poured out and people prophesying. Peter’s explanation helped the crowd understand that God was at work among the believers. This passage belongs to the Pentecost events in Jerusalem, where people from many nations heard the believers speaking about God’s mighty works in different languages. Joel is referenced through the prophecy and is not present in the scene.

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

Peter stands with the eleven and addresses the crowd, clearly explaining that the believers are not drunk and that the event fulfills Joel’s prophecy about God pouring out his Spirit.

Talk together

Talk about it

Why did Peter explain that the believers were not drunk?
What did Peter say the event fulfilled?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page after introducing Pentecost and before discussing Peter’s message about Jesus and the crowd’s response. Invite children to notice how Peter answered confusion with a clear explanation. Remind them that the picture represents Joel’s prophecy with writing, not Joel standing in the scene. Keep discussion welcoming and avoid pressuring children to make a religious decision.

Source note

From this passage

Acts 2:14-21 · Pentecost

Peter stands with the eleven and addresses the crowd, clearly explaining that the believers are not drunk and that the event fulfills Joel’s prophecy about God pouring out his Spirit.