Acts 2

“Filled with the Holy Ghost”

A large crowd of people being baptized in a river at the day of Pentecost.

Before His death, Jesus told His Apostles that after He was gone, the Father would send “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost” (John 14:26). As promised, the Holy Ghost came to the Twelve Apostles in a miraculous way on the day of Pentecost. The purpose of this lesson is to help you deepen your understanding of ways the Holy Ghost can bless you and help you learn how to invite those blessings into your life.

Expanding our abilities

Determine how much you agree with the following statement on a scale of one to seven, and record your response in your study journal: I’m confident that I can recognize when I’m feeling the Holy Ghost in my life.

Diagram with words Strongly Disagree and Strongly Agree.

What questions do you have about the Holy Ghost?

In your study journal, write the heading “Ways the Holy Ghost can help me.” Be ready to add items to the list throughout the lesson.

As you study today, you’ll see examples of how the Holy Ghost works in people’s lives. Think about what you can learn from these examples about how the Holy Ghost can work in your life. One truth these examples emphasize is that through the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father helps us come unto Jesus Christ.

The Holy Ghost is poured out on the day of Pentecost

Before His death, Jesus taught His disciples that Heavenly Father would send them the Holy Ghost after Jesus departed from the earth. He testified that the Holy Ghost would provide comfort, give direction, and testify of Him (see John 14:16, 26; 15:26).

Pentecost is a Jewish holiday that occurs 50 days after the Passover feast. Jews from surrounding countries would travel to Jerusalem for this holiday that celebrated the first harvest of the season (see Guide to the Scriptures, “ Pentecost,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Read Acts 2:1–8, looking for how the Savior’s promise about the Apostles receiving the Holy Ghost was fulfilled on this day. (Note that “cloven tongues like as of fire” in verse 3 refers to a visible manifestation of the Spirit’s presence.)

In verses 4–8, the Apostles were experiencing the gift of tongues, “a gift of the Holy Ghost that allows inspired individuals to speak in, understand, or interpret unfamiliar languages” (Guide to the Scriptures, “ Tongues, Gift of,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

How did the Holy Ghost bless the disciples and those listening to them?
How do you think the gift of tongues enhanced the Apostles’ ability to help others come unto Christ?
How might we experience this gift today?

Consider adding insights from the verses you have studied so far to the list you created in your study journal.

Peter testifies of Jesus Christ

We can see another way that the Holy Ghost can help us by looking at the boldness with which Peter taught and testified.

Keeping in mind that the events depicted in Acts 2 happened not long after Jesus was crucified, read Acts 2:22–24, 32–33, 36 and look for how the Holy Ghost helped Peter in this circumstance to preach with courage and boldness about Jesus Christ. (See also Acts 3:12–20.)

What did you see?
What do you learn from this account about how the Holy Ghost can help you? (See also Acts 1:8; 4:31.)

Add your thoughts to your list in your study journal.

The impact of Peter’s teachings on others

The Holy Ghost had an impact on those who heard Peter’s teachings about Jesus Christ. Read Acts 2:37–38, 41, looking for how the Holy Ghost helped these people. The word pricked from verse 37 means to cause grief or remorse and suggests that the people desired to change.

What stood out to you in these verses?
How did being “pricked in their heart” help these people come closer to Jesus Christ? (verse 37).

Compare what happened to the people Peter taught to the promise God made to His servants in Doctrine and Covenants 100:5–8.

What are some examples of changes the Holy Ghost might inspire us to make that would help us come closer to Jesus Christ?

Consider adding your insights from Acts 2:37–38, 41 to the list in your study journal.

Reflecting on what you studied

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil.

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How does the Holy Ghost help us come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

The mission of the Holy Ghost is to testify of the Father and the Son (see John 15:26; 2 Nephi 31:18; 3 Nephi 28:11), to guide us into truth (see John 14:26; 16:13), and to show us all things we should do (see 2 Nephi 32:5). This personal line of communication with our Heavenly Father through His Holy Spirit is the source of our testimony of truth, of our knowledge, and of our personal guidance from a loving Heavenly Father. It is an essential feature of His marvelous gospel plan, which allows each one of His children to receive a personal witness of its truth.

(Dallin H. Oaks, “Two Lines of Communication,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 83)

President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified:

When individuals … feel the Spirit working with them, or when they see the evidence of the Lord’s love and mercy in their lives, they are edified and strengthened spiritually and their faith in Him increases.

(M. Russell Ballard, “Now Is the Time,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 75)

What does the Holy Ghost feel like, and how can you invite it?

The video “Feeling the Holy Ghost” (3:17) gives examples of ways people feel the Holy Ghost. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Feeling the Holy Ghost
Feelings of the Holy Spirit can be likened to hope, joy and peace in your heart and mind.

The video “Having the Holy Ghost” (2:56), located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, gives examples of how to invite the Holy Ghost.