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 2:1-4 (NKJV)
1 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, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The disciples, united in purpose and prayer, experience a profound supernatural event on Pentecost. The sound of a powerful wind signifies God’s Spirit moving among them, while the visible tongues of fire symbolize divine presence and empowerment. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they begin to speak in various languages, enabling them to communicate the gospel to people from different nations gathered in Jerusalem. This moment marks the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise of the Spirit’s power to witness.

Acts 2:5-13 (NKJV)
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

The presence of Jews from various nations amplifies the impact of the disciples’ ability to speak in foreign languages. The miraculous phenomenon captures the crowd’s attention, as they each hear God’s wonders in their own dialect, highlighting the universal reach of the gospel. Some are amazed, while others skeptically accuse the disciples of drunkenness, failing to grasp the divine nature of the event.

Acts 2:14-15 (NKJV)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

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. He 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 (NKJV)
16 But this is what 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 (NKJV)
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

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 (NKJV)
And it shall come to pass that whoever calls 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 2:22-24 (NKJV)
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Peter continues by pointing to Jesus, whose life and miracles the crowd had witnessed. He emphasizes that Jesus’ crucifixion was part of God’s plan, but human actions made them responsible for His death. However, God raised Jesus, conquering death, as it was impossible for Him to be bound by it. This resurrection demonstrates God’s power and confirms Jesus as the Messiah.

Acts 2:25-28 (NKJV)
25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

Peter quotes David, showing that he prophetically spoke of the Messiah’s victory over death. David’s words point to Jesus’ resurrection, as God did not abandon Him to the grave. The prophecy reflects the joy and assurance of life and resurrection, fulfilled through Jesus, and shows that death cannot hold the righteous in God’s presence.

Acts 2:29 (NKJV)
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to 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 (NKJV)
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the 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 (NKJV)
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh 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 (NKJV)
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all 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 (NKJV)
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you 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 (NKJV)
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool."

Peter emphasizes that King David, a revered figure in Jewish history, did not ascend into heaven himself but instead spoke prophetically of the Messiah’s exaltation. He quotes from Psalm 110:1, where David writes, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” Peter clarifies that David foresaw the Messiah seated at God’s right hand, a position of ultimate authority. He boldly concludes that God has made Jesus, whom the people crucified, both "Lord and Christ"—the promised Savior and ruler. This powerful declaration calls the audience to recognize Jesus as the true Messiah, affirming his divine role and urging them to respond in faith.

Acts 2:36 (NKJV)
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you 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 (NKJV)
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and 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 (NKJV)
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

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 2:39-47 (NKJV)
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Peter assures the crowd that the promise of salvation through Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit isn’t limited to them but extends to future generations and people far off. His call to “be saved from this perverse generation” emphasizes the need to reject corrupt ways and turn to God. After his message, about three thousand people are baptized, joining the community of believers.

This new community is devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, indicating a close-knit and spiritually grounded group. Awe fills everyone as they witness miraculous signs through the apostles, reinforcing their faith. They live in unity, sharing possessions to support one another, showing profound generosity and care. They gather daily in the temple and in homes, eating with joy and simplicity, praising God, and maintaining a positive reputation. This attractive, loving lifestyle leads more people to join the church each day, growing the early Christian community.