Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. On the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:4-17 printed below), what did some men accuse the apostles of being? What did Peter explain to them?
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. (5) Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. (6) When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. (7) Utterly amazed, they asked, Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? (8) Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? (11) …we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own languages! (12) Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, What does this mean? (13) Some, however, mockingly said, They are filled with new wine! (14) Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who are in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you. Listen carefully to what I say. (15) These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only nine o’clock in the morning. (16) No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: (17) In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people… (Acts 2:4-17a)
The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, but some mistakenly thought that they were filled with wine. Peter explains that they were not drunk; on the contrary, they were filled with the Spirit of God.
2. Why do you suppose some of the people mistook the apostles for being drunk? What do a liquor-filled life and a Holy Spirit-filled life have in common?
What do a liquor-filled life and a Holy Spirit-filled life have in common? In both cases a man becomes “a different person.” In the liquor-filled life, the person does and says things he normally would not; his inhibitions are relaxed, and the sinful nature expresses itself more evidently: he may speak horrible things, he may do violent things, he may undergo a strange personality change (becoming sullen or surly or giddy or lewd or flirtatious), indeed, he exhibits a demonic presence in his life. In the Holy Spirit-filled life, the person does and says things he normally would not; his inhibitions are overcome and the new life of Christ expresses itself more evidently: he may boldly speak out for the Lord Jesus, he may exhibit striking displays of self-denial, humility and love (note Acts 7:55,59-60), he will exhibit the presence of God in his life.
3. What command does the apostle Paul give to Christians in Ephesians 5:18 (printed below?)
And do not become drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
As a Christian, your life is not to be lived under the intoxicating influences of the world. On the contrary, your life is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and be filled with His blessed presence.
4. What is the result of drunkenness? See Ephesians 5:18 (printed above under question #3)
Drunkenness leads to “debauchery.” That is to say, a life where all moral restraints are cast aside and the person gives free reins to his sinful passions.
5. How does Paul describe the Spirit-filled life in Ephesians 5:19-21 (printed below?)
…be filled with the Spirit—(19) speaking to each other with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and praising the Lord in your heart, (20) always giving thanks to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for all things, (21) submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-21)
Paul describes the Spirit-filled life in the following terms. “Speaking to each other with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs;” encouraging, comforting, exhorting one another by means of the Word of God (contrast the conduct described in Galatians 5:15, a conduct we are exhorted to avoid). “Singing and praising the Lord in your heart;” praising the Lord, rejoicing in His presence, enjoying His fellowship (contrast this with the ungodly lifestyle described in Romans 1:21). “Always giving thanks to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for all things;” accepting God’s will, recognizing God’s sovereign control, trusting in God’s fatherly care, wisdom, and goodness (contrast this with the attitude expressed by Job’s wife when she beheld the trials which came into Job’s life as recorded in Job 2:9-10). “Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ;” for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, in reverence to Him and holy fear of Him, we are to yield our will to our brethren instead of insisting on our own way (note 1 Peter 5:5b).
