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.

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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!!!