The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 323: Pentecost
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)

Overview

On Day 323 of The Bible in a Year, Fr. Mike celebrates the momentous event of Pentecost as recounted in Acts 2—the birth of the Church and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. The episode weaves together readings from Acts 2, Romans 2–3, and Proverbs 26:27–28, exploring the power of the Holy Spirit, the radical beginnings of the early Church, and St. Paul’s teaching on God’s impartial justice and universal offer of salvation through faith in Jesus. Fr. Mike’s passionate commentary highlights themes of conversion, community, and trusting God’s grace over human striving.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power and Purpose of Pentecost (Acts 2)

• The Coming of the Holy Spirit:
  The apostles and Mary, gathered in prayer after Jesus' Ascension, are filled with the Holy Spirit, manifesting as tongues of fire and miraculous speech.
• Witness to All Nations:
  People from every nation hear the apostles “telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11).
• Peter’s Spirit-Driven Preaching:
  Peter boldly proclaims Jesus as the Risen Messiah—his words, empowered by the Spirit, pierce the listeners’ hearts and lead to mass conversion.
• Conversion and Baptism:
  The crowd asks, “What shall we do?” Peter replies, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Fr. Mike (22:40):
“What is it that converts hearts? What is it that convicts hearts? It is always the Holy Spirit... The Holy Spirit’s the only one who can instigate conversion. The Holy Spirit’s the only one who can convict hearts.”

2. The Four Marks of the Early Church (Acts 2:42)

• Teaching of the Apostles:
  Staying close to apostolic teaching is essential—a chain stretching from the first century to today’s bishops.
• Fellowship (Koinonia):
  Genuine Christian brotherhood and community—“do I have brotherhood among my fellow Christians?... If I don’t, that might be an area where God is calling me.”
• Breaking of the Bread:
  Early Christian code for the Eucharist; essential for community and encountering the Risen Christ.
• Prayers:
  Shared, sustained prayer is the lifeblood of the Church.

Fr. Mike (24:15):
“These four things—the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of the bread, and prayers—are these four marks of the Church... Are you close to your bishop?... Do you actually ‘do life’ with your fellow Christians?”

3. God’s Impartiality and Human Heart (Romans 2–3)

• Judgment and Hypocrisy:
  Both Jews (with the Law) and Gentiles (with natural law) are under sin and can’t claim righteousness solely by ancestry or knowledge.
• True Circumcision:
  “He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal” (Romans 2:29).
• Universal Sinfulness:
  All are convicted by sin—“no one is righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10), quoting the Old Testament.
• Justification by Grace Through Faith:
  The “righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law... through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:21-22).

Fr. Mike (27:13):
“What’s the remedy? St. Paul says... The heart of the Gospel is that no matter how hard we would work... it would never be enough. And the good news is it doesn’t have to be enough. Because the Father’s offered his Son, and the Son has offered himself for your redemption.”

4. Practical Reflections and Application

• Avoiding “Holy Huddles”:
  Authentic experiences of the Spirit are meant to empower us for mission, not to retreat inwardly.
• Receiving, Not Just Earning:
  Grace—the heart of the Gospel—is received, not earned.
• Obedience of Faith:
  “Now we obey him and we belong to him, which is pretty phenomenal. It’s pretty amazing.”

Memorable Quotes

• On Conversion (22:40):

  “It is always the Holy Spirit... The Holy Spirit’s the only one who can instigate conversion.”
  —Fr. Mike Schmitz

• On the Early Church (24:25):

  “If you want to know if you’re close to Jesus, are you close to your bishop?... Do you actually ‘do life’ with your fellow Christians?”
  —Fr. Mike Schmitz

• On Justification (27:13):

  “No matter how much we’d strive to be good, it would never be enough. And the good news is it doesn’t have to be enough. Because the Father’s offered his Son, and the Son has offered himself. For your redemption.”
  —Fr. Mike Schmitz

Notable Timestamps

• 04:00: Acts 2 reading—Pentecost and Peter’s speech
• 17:40: Romans 2–3 reading—on God’s impartial judgment and justification by faith
• 22:30: Fr. Mike’s reflection on the Holy Spirit’s power in conversion
• 24:10: Breakdown of the “four marks” of the Church community in Acts 2
• 27:00: St. Paul and justification: “the heart of the Gospel”
• 29:20: Closing prayer and encouragement to embrace God’s gift of grace

Episode Tone and Takeaway

Fr. Mike’s tone is passionate, invitational, and practical—calling listeners beyond comfort toward faith-filled mission, authentic community, and deep trust in God’s grace. Whether you’re new to faith or a lifelong Christian, this episode affirms: the Holy Spirit empowers, God’s grace is a gift, and you are invited into the Church’s ongoing story.

End of Summary