Acts 2.1-42, the story of Pentecost, dramatised (adapted from the New Revised Standard Version)
Parts:
- Storyteller
- Jew 1
- Jew 2
- Peter
- Disciple 1
- Disciples (all congregation)
If more people wish to participate, include a ‘crowd’ of Jews and a larger group of disciples.
Props:
- Large (at least 10-11 inches tall) paper flames, ‘tongues of fire’, for disciples to hold over their head; best if made from sturdy poster board or cardboard; smaller ones may be used to distribute to everyone in the congregation.
Scripts ready-to-print: (14 pt or 16 pt font)
Acts 2, 1-21 DRAMA Pentecost – large print WORD
Acts 2, 1-21 DRAMA Pentecost – large print PDF
Acts 2, 1-21 DRAMA Pentecost WORD
Acts 2, 1-21 DRAMA Pentecost PDF
SCRIPT
WORSHIP LEADER: Hear the familiar story of that Pentecost Day almost 2000 years ago which we celebrate today. Have your paper flame ready to use, as you all are disciples. We are reading from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter two, beginning with verse one. We rely heavily on the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
STORYTELLER: The day of Pentecost has come, and the disciples of Jesus are all together in one place. Suddenly from heaven comes a sound like the rush of a violent wind. Everyone, help us out.
EVERYONE: Make wind sounds (with mouth and/or hands rubbing together)
STORYTELLER: And the sound like wind fills the entire house where they are sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appear among them, and a tongue rests on each of them. That’s all of you! (speaking to congregation)
PETER & DISCIPLES (includes congregation): Hold a tongue of fire over your head.
STORYTELLER: All of them are filled with the Spirit and begin to speak in other languages, as the Spirit enables them. Go ahead, speak to those around you in English or any other language you know.
PETER & DISCIPLES (as many in congregation who will join in): Speak in another language: French? German? Welsh? Setswana? You might say: ‘Christ is risen. God is good. Bless you.’
STORYTELLER: Now there are devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.
JEWS 1&2: Come forward with hand up to ear, as if listening.
STORYTELLER: When people hear all the noise a crowd gathers and they are bewildered, because each one hears them speaking in the native language of each. They are amazed and astonished.
JEWS 1&2: [Look astonished!!!!!!!!!]
JEW 1: Are not all these who are speaking from Galilee?
JEW 2: How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Judean and Greeks!
JEW 1: Residents of Iraq, Samaria, and Lebanon!
JEW 2: From Turkey, Jordan and Egypt, even Libya and Crete!
JEW 1: And visitors from Rome!
JEW 2: Both Jews and proselytes!
JEW 1: And Arabs!
JEW 2: In our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power!
STORYTELLER: All are amazed and perplexed.
JEW 2: What does this mean?
STORYTELLER: Others sneer and say,
JEW 1: They are filled with new wine!
STORYTELLER: Peter, standing with the eleven, raises his voice and addresses them:
PETER: People of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these who you hear speaking are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning!
DISCIPLE 1: [Point to a clock in the sanctuary, or your watch.] Actually, Peter, the clock [my watch] says 11:20 [actual time].
PETER: Well, close enough. Still, too early to be drunk. Listen to what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all people, sons and your daughters shall prophesy, young shall see visions, old shall dream dreams. Upon everyone, regardless of gender identification, I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.’
STORYTELLER: Peter tells them many more things about the prophets, King David and Jesus.
PETER: Therefore, let the entire house of Israel know, with certainty, that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Ruler and Messiah.*
STORYTELLER: When the people in the crowd hear this, they are cut to the heart.
JEWS 1 & 2: [Put hands on heart.]
STORYTELLER: They say to Peter and to the other apostles,
JEW 1: What should we do?
PETER: ‘Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Spirit, for the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom God calls.
STORYTELLER: And Peter testifies with many other arguments and exhorts them.
PETER: Save yourselves from this corrupt generation!
STORYTELLER: Those who welcome Peter’s message are baptized.
JEWS & DISCIPLES: Kneel or bend in the attitude of prayer.
STORYTELLER: That day about three thousand people are added. They devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching and community, to the breaking of bread and the sharing in prayers.
Here ends the reading. Thank you for listening to our amazing Pentecost story. May God bless us all with understanding in our own language.
