Bible Study - The Greatest Need - Luke 5:17-26, Plus Other Scripture - September 14, 2025 - Enjoy and Be Blessed
Bible Study – The Greatest Need – Luke 5:17-26, Plus –
September 14, 2025
Only JESUS can take care of our need for forgiveness.
Often, we do not know we need forgiveness or that our
unforgiveness impacts our health. Let’s explore!!!
Our background scripture is Luke 5:17-26.
JESUS was teaching a large gathering of people, Pharisees,
teachers of the law, some curious, some eager to learn and for many other
reasons. The key is that many people had come to hear JESUS for various reasons,
and they witnessed a miracle and received a blessing which each person present
had to ponder.
That is what JESUS does, HE wants us to think and seek
the right, true relationship with HIM. Often, many seekers will test JESUS. Testing
often leads to more questions, which I have found leads to discovering truth.
As we seek the right relationship with JESUS, all that is
needed is to simply ask HIM to open our Spiritually blind eyes to the truth
that HE is and then open our minds to what HE reveals. Spiritual matters
have to be discerned Spiritually. After the Passion of JESUS, GOD sent The HOLY
SPIRIT at Pentecost to indwell the bodies of all people who have accepted JESUS
as their Savior.
Let’s read Acts 2:
Christian Standard Bible
First, what was and is Pentecost?
What is the significance of the Day of
Pentecost?
Historical Context and Meaning of Pentecost
Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks
(Shavuot), originated in the Old Testament as a harvest festival observed seven
weeks, or 50 days, after the Passover (Leviticus 23:15-21).
In Hebrew tradition, it commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses at Mount
Sinai. By the time of the New Testament, people from many regions would gather
in Jerusalem for this feast.
In the early first century, this day became
uniquely significant when the promised Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus’
followers. This event is narrated in Acts 2 and marks a pivotal moment
in the unfolding of salvation history, often referred to as the birth of the
Church.
Fulfillment of Prophecy
Long before the first-century events recorded
in Acts, the prophet Joel foretold a time when God would pour out His Spirit on
all people:
“‘And afterward I will pour out My Spirit on
all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.’” (Joel 2:28)
At Pentecost, this prophecy came to fruition.
As the disciples gathered, “Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came
from heaven and filled the whole house… There appeared to them tongues as of
fire… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2:2-4). This
dramatic manifestation signaled the transition from the Old Covenant to the New
Covenant in Christ’s redemptive plan.
Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
The outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost is
often described as the empowering of believers to carry out the Great
Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Soon after the Holy
Spirit descended, the disciples proclaimed the gospel in languages understood
by pilgrims from across the known world (Acts 2:5-11). This miraculous sign
confirmed God’s power and further established the validity of Jesus’
resurrection (Acts 2:32-33).
Peter’s sermon following these events (Acts 2:14-36) reveals the immediate effect of the
Spirit’s empowerment. Conviction spread among the listeners, resulting in the
conversion of about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41). The Day of Pentecost
illustrates how the Spirit enables bold witness, transforming ordinary people
into powerful messengers of the gospel.
Establishment of the New Testament Church
Because so many came to faith through the
testimony inspired by the Holy Spirit, Pentecost is widely considered the
birthday of the Church. Believers began gathering regularly for teaching,
fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). They
shared possessions and cared for each other’s needs (Acts 2:44-45).
This development did not happen in isolation.
Early Christian writings outside the New Testament, including accounts by
Church Fathers such as Tertullian and Eusebius, mention the rapid growth and
unity of early Christians. Such historical testimony corroborates the biblical
narrative of a vibrant community shaped by the events of this day.
Connection to the Feast of Weeks
Pentecost is inseparable from its Old
Testament background. Often viewed as the culmination of the Passover season,
it occurs 50 days after the Sabbath following Passover (Leviticus 23:15-16).
In Jewish tradition, this time marked both the end of the spring barley harvest
and the beginning of the wheat harvest.
From a typological perspective, Pentecost
represents the spiritual harvest of souls. Just as the Law was given to Moses
at Sinai, guiding ancient Israel, the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers,
guiding them into all truth and empowering them for ministry. This connection
highlights the continuity and unity of Scripture, bridging the Old Covenant
context with the New Covenant fulfillment.
Transformation and Unity Among Believers
One vital aspect of Pentecost is its role in
breaking down cultural and linguistic barriers. Because visitors to Jerusalem
could hear the gospel in their native tongues (Acts 2:8-11), this
supernatural sign foreshadowed the global scope of the Christian faith. People
from diverse backgrounds became united through their encounter with Christ,
fulfilling promises of God’s inclusive kingdom (Isaiah 49:6).
This ongoing reality continues to foster
unity in the Church worldwide. The presence of the Holy Spirit moves beyond
inherent differences, emphasizing that all who call on the name of the Lord
will be saved (Acts 2:21).
The Deeper Theological Significance
Pentecost demonstrates that salvation is not
accomplished by human effort but by divine action. After Christ’s death and
resurrection, the Holy Spirit’s descent reveals the depth of God’s redemptive
plan to indwell and transform believers. As expressed elsewhere in Scripture,
the Spirit is given as a deposit guaranteeing the believer’s inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Moreover, Pentecost teaches that the new life
in Christ is not simply an individual experience but a corporate one. Just as
the disciples received the Spirit together, the Church as a whole is called to
live and work in the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3-6).
Continued Relevance for Believers
The Day of Pentecost continues to hold
significance for Christians in every generation. It is a reminder that faith is
empowered by the Spirit rather than confined to human limitations. The ongoing
ministry of the Holy Spirit includes comforting, teaching, guiding, and
enabling believers to bear witness to the risen Christ (John 14:26).
This day also provides a framework for
revival and awakening throughout church history. Accounts of spiritual renewal
in various parts of the world have often been associated with fresh outpourings
of the Spirit, as documented in revivals among diverse communities and in
different eras.
Summary and Key Takeaways
• Pentecost was originally an Old Testament
harvest festival marking the giving of the Law and the thanksgiving for God’s
provision.
• In Acts 2, it became
the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon believers, fulfilling Joel’s
prophecy of God pouring out His Spirit on all flesh.
• This event empowered the disciples to
spread the gospel worldwide, immediately bringing about thousands of new
believers.
• Pentecost is considered the birthday of the
Church, characterized by unity, fellowship, and mutual care.
• The day underscores the continuity between
Old and New Testaments, linking the giving of the Law with the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
• Believers today find in Pentecost a
reminder of God’s power, the Spirit’s presence, and the continuing mandate for
global witness.
Through these truths, Pentecost stands as a
monumental event in Scripture, cementing the believer’s reliance on the Holy
Spirit for effective righteousness, mission, and unity in the body of Christ.
Its enduring legacy encourages every generation of Christians to live by the
Spirit’s leading, proclaiming the resurrected Lord and glorifying God in both
word and deed.
Copied from Bible Hub.
Back to our scripture Acts 2:1-47: Pentecost –
the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell the human body (Temple). It occurs 50
days after the Sabbath following Passover (Leviticus 23:15-16).
2 When the day of
Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly
a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it
filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They
saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of
them. 4 Then they were all filled with the
Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,[a] as
the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now
there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every
nation under heaven. 6 When this sound
occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them
speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded
and amazed, saying,[b] “Look,
aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How
is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians,
Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus
and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the
parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans
and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own
tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed,
saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But
some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”
Peter’s Sermon
14 Peter
stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow
Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay
attention to my words. 15 For these people are not
drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning.[c] 16 On
the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 And
it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all people;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 I will even pour out my Spirit
on my servants in those days, both men and women
and they will prophesy.
19 I will display wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below:
blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 Then everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.[d]
22 “Fellow
Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to
you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through
him, just as you yourselves know. 23 Though he was
delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used[e] lawless
people to nail him to a cross and kill him. 24 God
raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for
him to be held by death. 25 For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me;
because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad
and my tongue rejoices.
Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me in Hades
or allow your holy one to see decay.
28 You have revealed the paths of life to me;
you will fill me with gladness
in your presence.[f]
29 “Brothers
and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is
both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since
he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his
descendants[g] on
his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke
concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He[h] was
not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience
decay.[i]
32 “God
has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. 33 Therefore,
since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received
from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you
both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who
ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:
The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.’[j]
36 “Therefore,
let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made
this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Call to Repentance
37 When
they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest
of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter
replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is
for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as
many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many
other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this
corrupt[k] generation!” 41 So
those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand
people were added to them.
A Generous and Growing Church
42 They
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread, and to prayer.
43 Everyone
was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through
the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were
together and held all things in common. 45 They
sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any
had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to
meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate
their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising
God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their
number[l] those
who were being saved.
Footnotes
a.
2:4 languages, also in v.
11
b.
2:7 Other mss add to
one another
c.
2:15 Lit it’s the
third hour of the day
d.
2:17–21 Jl 2:28–32
e.
2:23 Other mss read you
have taken
f.
2:25–28 Ps 16:8–11
g.
2:30 Other mss add according
to the flesh to raise up the Messiah
h.
2:31 Other mss read His
soul
i.
2:31 Ps 16:10
j.
2:34–35 Ps 110:1
k.
2:40 Or crooked,
or twisted
l.
2:47 Other mss read to
the church
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman
Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are
federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights
reserved.
GOD, JESUS nor The HOLY SPIRIT wants any person, who is
seeking to be in right relationship with JESUS, to be misled as the person
seeks but to discover truth and relationship. What a person may find as he/she
seeks is that which is false and that which is true.
That is discernment, The Indwelling HOLY SPIRIT reveals
truth as a “born-again” believer seeks, studies, and serves.
As scripture reveals in Matthew 7:7 Christian Standard
Bible
Ask, Search, Knock
7 “Ask, and
it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door[a] will
be opened to you.
When GOD made man and woman, HE placed a yearning in
their hearts for discovery. Ask, seeking, and knocking are action terms and as
a person seeks, he/she will find the hidden treasure of eternal life through
faith in JESUS.
In our scripture, the man to be healed was paralyzed.
Were the men who carried the paralytic to JESUS men of faith, or were they
seeking to evaluate JESUS? We do not know. We do know the men carrying this
poor paralyzed man were determined to get him to JESUS and JESUS confirmed their faith because JESUS saw their hearts.
The point is, they took the paralyzed man to JESUS, with
the hope and faith he would be healed. A miracle took place before many learned
and regular people who had come to hear what JESUS had to say. They witnessed
the power only GOD has. The fact that the paralyzed man was healed is evidence
that the hearts of those who took him to JESUS were honest before GOD because JESUS
is hampered in an atmosphere of disbelief. Yet, those who carried the paralyzed
man to JESUS may have wanted to evaluate JESUS. We do not know but we do know
these men took action and witnessed a miracle regardless of what their
intentions may have been. But I quickly add I believe these men wanted to see the
paraplegic healed and he was. What a powerful witness to all then and to us today.
How do you think those who had gathered to listen to
JESUS teach responded to what they witnessed? Let’s explore!!!
First, consider the audience surrounding JESUS –
Pharisees and scribes were present to learn or to find fault? Regardless of
their intent they witnessed a miracle that only GOD could accomplish.
Let’s read Luke 5:17-19:
The Son of Man Forgives and Heals in the
presence of an impressive audience of very scholarly leaders in the Jewish
faith and those who were seeking or just curious.
17 On
one of those days while he (JESUS) was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of
the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and
Judea, and also from Jerusalem. And the Lord’s power to heal was in
him. 18 Just then some men came, carrying on a
stretcher a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down
before him. 19 Since they could not find a way to
bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on
the stretcher through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus.
Those who were carrying and transporting the paralytic to
JESUS were determined to get him to JESUS.
Let’s read Luke 5:20-21:
20 Seeing
their faith he (JESUS) said, “Friend,[f] your
sins are forgiven.”
21 Then
the scribes and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this
man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God
alone?”
Seems that the religious leaders reply, “Who can
forgive sins but God alone?” opened the door to the correct conclusion. Wake
up you, sluggers. Pay attention, “you religious leaders to what you have
studied most of your lives” and remove the shackles from your minds. Truth is
truth then and today.
Let’s read Luke 5:22-26:
22 But
perceiving their thoughts, Jesus replied to them, “Why are you thinking
this in your hearts?[g] 23 Which
is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and
walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has
authority on earth to forgive sins”—he told the paralyzed man, “I tell
you: Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
25 Immediately
he (the former paralyzed man) got up before them, picked up what he had been
lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26 Then everyone
was astounded, and they were giving glory to God. And they were filled with
awe and said, “We have seen incredible things today.”
This is true of all who acknowledge JESUS as
their Savior and make JESUS to LORD of their lives.
Keep this truth in mind. If you had been the
only person to ever accept JESUS as your Savior, HE would have given HIS
sinless life just for you. Now that is personal.
Folks the days are evil. We need to pray for
the protection of each other, churches, schools and various places and things the
Holy Spirit brings to our minds.
Blessings!!!