Acts 2

Acts 2 details the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit, marking the birth of the Christian church during the festival of Pentecost. This chapter describes the descent of the Holy Spirit, the miraculous speaking in tongues, Peter's powerful sermon, and the conversion of about three thousand people. It emphasizes the transformative role of the Holy Spirit and the expansion of the early church.

Acts 2:1
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."

This sets the scene on Pentecost, with believers united and gathered, awaiting the promised Holy Spirit, highlighting the unity and anticipation among the disciples.

Acts 2:2
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."

A supernatural sound like a mighty wind fills the place where the disciples are, signifying the powerful and unmistakable arrival of the Holy Spirit, fulfilling Jesus' promise.

Acts 2:3
"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them."

Visible manifestations of the Holy Spirit appear as divided tongues of fire resting on each person, symbolizing the empowering presence of God now with each believer, purifying and enabling them for ministry.

Acts 2:4
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

The disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin speaking in languages they do not know, demonstrating the Spirit's power to communicate through them to various cultures and peoples.

Acts 2:5
"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven."

Jerusalem, filled with Jews from every nation for the Pentecost festival, provides a diverse audience for the newly empowered apostles, showcasing the global scope of the gospel's reach.

Acts 2:6
"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."

The miraculous speaking attracts a large crowd, amazed that each hears the disciples speaking fluently in his own language, highlighting God's desire to reach every nation personally.

Acts 2:7
"And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?"

The crowd is astonished that Galileans, not known for linguistic skills, are speaking multiple languages, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event.

Acts 2:8
"And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?"

Listeners express wonder that they hear their native languages spoken perfectly, underscoring the Spirit’s ability to bridge cultural and linguistic barriers.

Acts 2:9-11
"Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."

This list of peoples illustrates the diverse audience present at Pentecost, each hearing the wonders of God in their own language, reinforcing the universal message of the gospel.

Acts 2:12
"And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?"

The crowd is confused and curious about the meaning of this phenomenon, setting the stage for Peter's explanation and proclamation of the gospel.

Acts 2:13
"Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine."

Some skeptics mock the disciples, mistaking the miraculous for drunkenness, reflecting a common misunderstanding of spiritual phenomena by those not spiritually attuned.

Acts 2:14
"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:"

Peter takes a stand with the other apostles to address the crowd, signaling the beginning of his sermon. He calls for the attention of all present, setting the stage to clarify the miraculous events and deliver a powerful message.

Acts 2:15
"For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day."

Peter refutes the idea that they are drunk, pointing out it is only 9:00 AM (the third hour by Jewish timekeeping). This emphasizes the sobriety and seriousness of the situation, countering the mockery with logic.

Acts 2:16
"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;"

Peter begins to explain the events as a fulfillment of prophecy, specifically citing Joel's prophecy. This frames the occurrence not as random, but as a significant, foretold event in God's redemptive plan.

Acts 2:17-20
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:"

In these verses, Peter quotes the prophet Joel about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which emphasizes the continual guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit for all believers, facilitating personal spiritual growth and empowering for mission. This outpouing of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, are often called "Former Rain" or "Early Rain" while a more extensive outpouring before the Second Coming, sometimes referred to as the "Latter Rain."

"The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the former rain, and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant." —Testimonies to the Church Vol. 8, p. 21

While the Pentecost event marked the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy about the Spirit's outpouring, the full scope of the prophecy—particularly regarding cosmic signs such as blood, fire, vapor of smoke, the darkening sun, and the blood-red moon—extends into eschatological (end-time) events that have not yet occurred. These signs, also echoed in the Book of Revelation, symbolize significant disruptions both in the natural world and spiritual realms, heralding the approach of the 'great and notable day of the Lord.' This dual-phase fulfillment frames Pentecost as both a realized commencement and a foretaste of what is to come, aligning with the Christian understanding of the 'already but not yet' nature of the kingdom of God. The complete realization of all aspects of Joel’s prophecy remains in the future, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Christ. For believers, this serves as a compelling call to vigilance and readiness, embodying the biblical mandate to 'watch and pray' in anticipation of Christ's return.

Acts 2:21
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Peter concludes the prophecy with a universal offer of salvation. This declaration emphasizes that deliverance is available to all who invoke God's name, highlighting the inclusiveness of the gospel.

Acts 2:22
"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:"

Peter shifts focus to Jesus, affirming His divine mission and the miracles that many in the audience had witnessed. He stresses that Jesus’ acts were God’s doing, reinforcing His credentials as the Messiah.

Acts 2:23
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:"

He declares that Jesus' death was part of God's predetermined plan, yet holds his listeners accountable for their role in it. This juxtaposition underscores the seriousness of their actions while affirming the sovereignty of God in salvation history.

Acts 2:24
"Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."

Peter proclaims Jesus' resurrection as a victory over death, asserting that death could not keep its hold on Him. This underscores the divine power and authority of Jesus, offering hope of eternal life to believers.

Acts 2:25
"For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:"

Peter references a psalm of David to further validate Jesus' messianic role, suggesting that David spoke prophetically about the Messiah’s reliance on God’s presence to remain steadfast. This connection between Jesus and David’s writings strengthens His identity as the promised Messiah.

Acts 2:26
"Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:"

Continuing the quote from the Psalm, Peter uses David's words to express the joy and hope found in God’s promises. This reflects the confidence of the Messiah in the face of death, resonating with Jesus’ resurrection.

Acts 2:27
"Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."

Peter asserts that the Psalm predicts God would not abandon His Holy One (interpreted as the Messiah) to the grave nor allow His body to decay. This is a direct reference to Jesus’ resurrection, emphasizing His divine preservation and fulfillment of prophecy.

Acts 2:28
"Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."

Here, Peter indicates that the Messiah would be enlightened with the knowledge of life and filled with joy by God’s presence, which aligns with Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and His teachings about eternal life.

Acts 2:29
"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day."

Peter clarifies that David, having died and been buried, could not have been speaking about himself in the Psalms. This argument underscores that David was prophesying about someone else—Jesus.

Acts 2:30
"Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;"

Peter points out that David was a prophet who knew God promised that a descendant of his would become the Messiah and reign forever. This is a reference to the covenant with David about his lineage leading to Christ.

Acts 2:31
"He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption."

Peter explains that David foresaw and spoke about the resurrection, clarifying that the prophecies were about Christ, whose body did not undergo decay, unlike David's.

Acts 2:32
"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."

Emphasizing eyewitness testimony, Peter declares the apostles’ direct experience of Jesus’ resurrection, reinforcing the truth and immediacy of the event to his audience.

Acts 2:33
"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."

Peter connects the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to Jesus' exaltation and His receiving of the promised Spirit from the Father, which He has now sent to His followers, as evidenced by the current miraculous signs and wonders.

Acts 2:34
"For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,"

Peter uses another Psalm to highlight that David did not ascend to heaven, but prophesied about someone else (the Messiah) who would be exalted to sit at God's right hand.

Acts 2:35
"Until I make thy foes thy footstool."

This continuation of the Psalm used by Peter emphasizes the ultimate victory and authority of Jesus, awaiting the time when all His enemies will be defeated, signifying His reign and power.

Acts 2:36
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Peter concludes his sermon by boldly asserting to the Israelites that Jesus, whom they crucified, is both Lord and Christ as proven by His resurrection and the fulfillment of prophecies, calling for recognition and response to this truth.

Acts 2:37
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

The audience is deeply convicted by Peter's words, feeling a sharp sense of guilt and urgency. They ask the apostles for guidance on how to respond, indicating their readiness to change their ways in light of the truth about Jesus.

Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

1. Repentance:
The call to repent is foundational in Peter’s response. Repentance involves a sincere turning away from sin and turning towards God. It is not merely feeling remorse but committing to a change in behavior and mindset. In the context of Peter's sermon, he convicted the crowd of their complicity in the crucifixion of Jesus, thus repentance specifically meant acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah, whom they had rejected.

2. Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ:
Peter instructs them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Baptism here is presented as an outward sign of an inward faith and repentance. It symbolizes the believer's cleansing from sin, dying with Christ to old ways of life, and rising to a new life in Him. The specific mention of Jesus’ name underscores the authority and power in the name of Christ for salvation, distinguishing Christian baptism from other religious washings or previous Jewish rites.

3. For the Remission of Sins:
The purpose of repentance and baptism is for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. This indicates that through these actions, believers are cleansed from their sins by God's grace, a doctrine central to Christian salvation.

4. Receipt of the Holy Ghost:
Finally, Peter promises that upon taking these steps, the new believers will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This promise links directly to the events they had just witnessed at Pentecost and signifies the Holy Spirit’s indwelling in believers, empowering them for Christian living and service. It also marks the fulfillment of the prophecy from Joel that Peter quotes earlier in his sermon, indicating that God’s Spirit is now available to all people who come to Him in faith.

Acts 2:39
"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

Peter extends the offer of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit to not only those present but also to future generations and those at a distance, indicating the inclusive, universal call of the gospel.

Acts 2:40
"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."

Peter continues to persuade and warn the crowd, urging them to dissociate from the prevailing corrupt society. His message emphasizes the urgency of personal decision and transformation.

Acts 2:41
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Many in the crowd accept Peter's message with enthusiasm and are baptized. This large number of conversions, totaling about three thousand, highlights the powerful impact of the apostles' testimony and the Spirit's movement among the people.

Acts 2:42
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

The new believers commit themselves to the teachings of the apostles, communal life, shared meals, and prayer. This verse outlines the foundational activities of the early Christian community, emphasizing their devotion and unity.

Acts 2:43
"And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."

A deep reverence and awe spread among the people as the apostles performed many miracles. This fear is not merely terror but a profound respect for God’s power actively at work through the apostles.

Acts 2:44
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common;"

The early believers live in a close-knit community, sharing their possessions and resources. This communal living reflects their commitment to each other and the principles of the gospel.

Acts 2:45
"And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."

In a radical display of solidarity and generosity, they sell their personal assets to support one another, ensuring that no member of the community lacks necessities. This act is a practical application of their faith and unity.

Acts 2:46
"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"

The believers regularly gather for worship in the temple and share meals in their homes, maintaining a joyful and sincere community life. Their consistent fellowship strengthens their faith and bonds.

Acts 2:47
"Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

They praise God together and enjoy the goodwill of the broader community. Their positive witness leads to daily growth of the church as more people come to faith, drawn by the believers' lifestyle and testimony.