The coming of the Holy Spirit
2
📚And when the day of Pentecost 📖 had fully come they were all with one accord in one place. 2 📚And suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.2:2 In Greek, as in Hebrew, the same word means both wind (or breath) and Spirit. So it was natural for wind to become a symbol of God’s Spirit (John 3:8; Ezek 37:9-14), and fitting that the coming of the Spirit was announced by the sound of a powerful wind.⚜
3 📚And there appeared to them divided tongues like fire, and sat on each of them.
2:3 The Jews for centuries had recognized fire as a symbol of God’s presence (notes at Ex 3:2). The fire was a sign to each disciple that God’s Spirit was present with all the others. “Tongues” of fire was an indication of what their principal work was to be. They were God’s spokesmen (Acts 1:8), and their power for speaking was God’s Spirit. The coming of the Spirit was a fulfillment of the word of the Lord Jesus (Acts 1:4-5; Luke 24:49; John 14:16-17, 26; 16:6).⚜
4 📚And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 📖 and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them ability to speak.
5 📚And there were living at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 📚Now when this sound was heard, a crowd came together, and was bewildered because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 📚And they were all amazed and marvelled and said to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
2:7 The Jews of Galilee spoke with an accent which identified them to other Jews (Mark 14:70).⚜
8 Then how does each of us hear in our own language in which we were born? 9 📚Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, 10 📚Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, Jews and converts to Judaism, 11 📚Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God”.
2:11 This is thrice repeated (vs 6,8). God gave those disciples the instant ability to speak foreign languages which they had never learned. Their words were clearly understood by those who heard them (whether the disciples themselves understood what they were saying is not revealed). Some people teach that speaking in tongues is the essential sign that always accompanies the baptism of God’s Spirit. We see here that when the apostles spoke in “tongues” they were speaking known languages which people there understood.
The author of these notes does not believe this sign always accompanies Spirit baptism, for this experience is extremely rare in our day and very uncommon in the whole history of the church. We know that a great many people have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and filled with the Holy Spirit without speaking in “tongues” (languages unknown to them). On “signs” see notes on v 4.
For other references to “tongues” see Acts 10:46; 1 Cor 12:10, 28, 30; 13:1, 8; 1 Cor 14:5-6, 18, 21-23, 39.⚜
12 📚And they were all amazed and perplexed, and said to one another, “What does this mean?”
13 📚Others, mocking, said, “These men are full of new wine”.
2:5-13 These God-fearing Jews were natives of Judea (v 9), or had lived abroad and had returned to Jerusalem – some to live there and others on a visit probably for the feasts of Passover and Pentecost. Fifteen different lands are mentioned, from what is now called Iran on the east to Rome on the west. There were two different sorts of people gathered there that day. Some were “bewildered” (v 6), “amazed” (v 7), and “perplexed” (v 12). They knew something strange and wonderful was occurring and could offer no explanation for it. Others were sure they knew all about it (v 13). They were the sort of people who reject or laugh at anything that is new or strange and think they have the answer to everything. One of the greatest days of human history had dawned, but all they could do was mock. In any generation those who are filled with God’s Spirit will meet both kinds of people.⚜
2:13 This accusation that the disciples were drunk is very meaningful. “Drunk” means to be under the influence or control of alcohol. The disciples were under the influence and control of God’s Spirit. The crowd could see that their behavior was not what people regarded as normal and usual. Compare Eph 5:18. The filling with God’s Spirit lifts people far above what men regard as ordinary.⚜
Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost
14 📚But Peter, standing up with the Eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who are staying in Jerusalem, let this be known to you: listen to my words,
2:14 As he often was when Jesus was on earth Peter here is the spokesman for the twelve apostles. And here begins the first sermon of this new era. Its themes are the Holy Spirit, and the death, resurrection and exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ.⚜
15 📚for these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only nine in the morning.
2:15 God-fearing Jews did not drink wine in the morning. They drank wine only with meat and ate meat only in the evenings.⚜
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:
2:16 Verses 17-21 are taken from Joel 2:28-32 (the last part of v 32 is omitted). “That which was spoken” means that on that day of Pentecost God fulfilled His promise to send His Spirit.⚜
17 📚And it will happen in the last days, God says,
I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
and your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
2:17 The phrase “in the last days, God says” is not in the Hebrew of Joel 2:28, which has only the words meaning “And afterward”. Sometimes in the New Testament the expression “the last days” or “last times” refers to a time beginning with Christ’s first coming and extending to His second coming – Heb 1:3; Jam 5:2; 1 Pet 1:20; 2 Pet 3:3; 1 John 2:18 (“the last hour”); Jude 18. God promised to pour out His Spirit on "all flesh" meaning "all people". Pentecost was only a partial fulfillment of this, for only Jews and Jewish converts received the Spirit then. We see a further fulfillment at Acts 8:17; 10:44-45; 19:6. As the gospel of Christ spread around the world people from more and more countries received God’s Spirit, and this process will go on until the end of this age (v 20). “Sons” and “daughters”, “young” and “old” without distinction will receive God’s Spirit.
18 📚And in those days I will pour out of my Spirit
on my servants 📖 and my maidservants,
and they will prophesy.
19 📚And I will show wonders in heaven above,
and signs in the earth below, blood, and fire,
and vapour of smoke.
20 📚The sun will be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood,
before that great and renowned day
of the Lord comes.
2:19-20 The day of the Lord begins at the end of this age and includes Christ’s second coming. See notes at Isa 13:6-13; Joel 1:15; 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Thess 2:2; 2 Pet 3:10. The signs in the sun and moon are associated with that day in other places (Isa 13:9-10; Matt 24:29-30; Rev 6:12-17). The signs mentioned in v 19 can be seen in Rev 8:7-8, 10; 9:2, 17, 18; 16:3-4, 8. From the context here in Acts we may judge that the work of God’s Spirit described in vs 17,18 will continue until the day of the Lord begins.⚜
21 📚And it will be that whoever calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.
2:21 See Isa 55:6-7; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2. To call on the name of the Lord means here to ask Him for salvation, to turn to Him in repentance and faith. Peter soon reveals Whom he means by Lord. In Joel the word in Hebrew is Jehovah. Peter means the Lord Jesus (v 38). This is just one indication among many in the New Testament that Jesus is the incarnation of Jehovah. See other references at Luke 2:11.⚜
22 📚“You men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth was a man proved true by God to you through miracles and wonders and signs which God did through him among you, as you yourselves also know.
2:22 Verses 14-21 was a word of explanation about the questions raised in vs 12,13. Here Peter comes to the heart of His message. Christ appointed him as a witness (Acts 1:8) and the Holy Spirit empowered him for this work (Acts 2:4). Now he testifies, and his words are full of Christ. He begins with Him and ends with Him. Jesus of Nazareth was “proved true” by God the Father (see John 5:36; 10:37-38. Notes on signs and miracles at John 2:11; Matt 8:1).⚜
23 📚He was delivered up by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, and you took him and by wicked hands crucified and killed him.
24 📚God raised him up, setting him free from the anguish of death, because it was not possible that he would be held by it.
2:24 Matt 28:6. It was impossible that death should hold the Lord Jesus because it was God’s plan that it should not. God had given Him authority over death (John 10:17-18).⚜
25 📚For David speaks concerning him,
I saw the Lord always before my face,
for he is at my right hand,
so that I might not be shaken.
26 📚Therefore my heart rejoiced
and my tongue was glad.
Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,
27 📚Because you will not leave my soul
in the realm of the dead 📖,
nor will you allow your Holy One
to see corruption.
28 📚You have made known to me
the ways of life.
You will fill me with joy by your countenance.
29 📚“Men, brethren, let me speak freely to you about the patriarch David. He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
2:25-29 Now Peter shows that Christ’s resurrection was in fulfillment of Ps 16:8-11 (see notes there). If Christ had not risen, the Scriptures would have been broken, and this too is impossible (John 10:35; Matt 5:17-18).⚜
2:29 Peter shows that Ps 16:8-11 was not fulfilled in David’s case (1 Kings 2:10-12). David did not rise from the dead.⚜
30 📚Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of his descendants according to the flesh, he would raise Christ up to sit on his throne,
2:30 2 Sam 7:8-16; Ps 89:3-4, 20-37. David was a very great prophet and in his psalms by the inspiration of God’s Spirit foretold many things concerning Christ (Luke 24:44). Notes on “prophet” at Gen 20:7.⚜
31 📚he, seeing this in advance, spoke of the resurrection of Christ 📖, that his soul was not left in the realm of the dead 📖, nor did his flesh see corruption.
32 📚“This Jesus God has raised up, and we are all witnesses 📖 of this. 33 📚Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit 📖, he has poured out what you now see and hear.
34 📚For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself said,
The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at my right hand,
35 📚Until I make your enemies
your footstool.
2:34-35 This is a quotation from another great psalm concerning Christ – Ps 110:1. This is the third quotation in Peter’s brief message. Christ had opened His disciples’ understanding and taught them the Scriptures (Luke 24:44-45).⚜
36 📚“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made that same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ”.
2:36 The Old Testament Scriptures Peter quoted show that Jesus is Christ, the Messiah of Israel, the “Lord” in the sense of “master” or “owner” (this is the meaning in Ps 110:1). God appointed His own Son who shares His very nature (John 1:1) to be Messiah and Lord. This was the startling news Peter brought to the nation who had rejected and crucified Christ (John 1:11; 19:6).⚜
37 📚Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, “Men, brethren, what shall we do?”
2:37 See Acts 16:29-30. The Holy Spirit working in the minds and consciences of these Jews produced this result. He still works in a similar way today, and only He can do so. Compare John 16:7-11. Their words indicate repentance.⚜
38 📚Then Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins 📖, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
2:38 Notes on repentance and baptism at Matt 3:2, 6; Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3. Unlike John’s baptism Christian baptism is associated with the name of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit. See also Acts 19:5. Peter is not teaching that baptism is essential for the forgiveness of sins. He well knew that forgiveness was not dependent on any work or ceremony that men can do. It comes by God’s grace and is received through faith. See notes on forgiveness at Matt 16:12; 9:5-7; 12:31; 18:23-35; Eph 1:7; 1 John 1:9; Isa 55:7.⚜
39 📚For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, to as many as the Lord our God will call”.
40 📚And with many other words he testified and exhorted, saying, “Save yourselves from this perverse generation”.
2:40 Observe here the work of a faithful, Spirit-filled minister of God’s Word. Peter was not content to lay out the facts concerning Christ. He warned people about the dangers of rejecting Him and pleaded with them to receive Him. Every generation is a “perverse generation” (though that one was probably worse than many – Matt 23:33-36; Phil 2:15), and the need to warn and plead with people is always there.⚜
41 📚Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls.
2:41 Accepting Peter’s message means they believed in the Lord Jesus and received Him as Lord and Christ, and Saviour from sin (vs 36,38). Having believed and so received forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 6:47) they were baptized as a sign and public declaration that they had believed. The 3000 who did so were in Jerusalem among leaders who had rejected and crucified Christ. The evidence for Christ’s resurrection was so complete, the witness of the apostles in the Holy Spirit was so powerful, that they believed in spite of all dangers and possible future troubles.⚜
The early Church
42 📚And they persevered 📖 in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 📚And fear came on every soul 📖. And many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 📚And all who believed were together, and had everything in common. 45 📚And they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to everyone, as each one had need.
2:44-45 This was a voluntary expression of love (Acts 4:32-35). No one commanded it. Compare Acts 5:1-4. Of course, it has nothing to do with political communism (which has been something imposed on the masses of people by a few leaders, often without the desire or consent of the people). These believers in Christ were showing their oneness which had been created by God’s Spirit (John 17:20-23; 1 Cor 12:12-13).⚜
46 📚And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and broke bread from house to house, and ate their food with gladness and sincerity of heart,
2:46 They had no church building and met where they could. A meeting once a week was not enough for these fervent believers. They loved to hear more of God’s Word, to pray, and have fellowship together. All that came out of an inner state of heart – glad and sincere.⚜
47 📚praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.
2:47 Because of the condition of their hearts, praising God was as natural as breathing. Note on praise at Ps 33:1-3. People outside the Church could see their sincerity and love, and viewed them with favor, though the religious leaders of Israel did not (Acts 4:1-3). Is it any wonder that every day some believed in the Lord Jesus and joined them in the fellowship? Would not the same thing happen in our day if we were like these early Christians?⚜