THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST
2 And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
vs 1 Pentecost means fifty, the celebration of Pentecost is fifty days after the feast of first fruits, which is on the day after the first Sabbath after Passover. Pentecost is one of the three pilgrimage festivals in which all Jewish males are obligated to attend at least once in their lifetime if they can. The three are Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Many people from all over the known world had come for Passover, and when Jesus had been resurrected, they stayed in Jerusalem instead of going home. They probably refers to the one hundred and twenty from chapter one. The place that they are is unclear, perhaps in a room at the Temple complex.
vs 2 The Holy Spirit makes clear that what is coming has power. There was enough power in the wind that it appears to not only have filled the room, but made it clear to the surrounding area that something was happening. Notice that when the Holy Spirit arrives, it fills.
vs 3 The Spirit not only is everywhere, but can also be individual. To each person the Spirit sat upon them as a tongue of fire. The Holy Spirit today indwells us at the moment of salvation, however at moments of great need the Holy Spirit can fill us.
vs 4 Many that stayed in Jerusalem were still awaiting Jesus to return imminently and take over by removing the Roman army. The Holy Spirit presents these believers with proof of a different plan. The plan is not to set up a Kingdom on earth now, but to be witness's of who God is and offer forgiveness of their sins through Jesus's sacrifice. The church is born.
vs 2 The Holy Spirit makes clear that what is coming has power. There was enough power in the wind that it appears to not only have filled the room, but made it clear to the surrounding area that something was happening. Notice that when the Holy Spirit arrives, it fills.
vs 3 The Spirit not only is everywhere, but can also be individual. To each person the Spirit sat upon them as a tongue of fire. The Holy Spirit today indwells us at the moment of salvation, however at moments of great need the Holy Spirit can fill us.
vs 4 Many that stayed in Jerusalem were still awaiting Jesus to return imminently and take over by removing the Roman army. The Holy Spirit presents these believers with proof of a different plan. The plan is not to set up a Kingdom on earth now, but to be witness's of who God is and offer forgiveness of their sins through Jesus's sacrifice. The church is born.
EMPOWERED
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 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. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
vs 5 Many Jewish and gentile converts were in Jerusalem for Pentecost and many had stayed after Passover to see what would happen.
vs 6 The Holy Spirit had come as something like a rushing wind. The Greek and Hebrew word for spirit can also mean wind or breath. The coming was loud enough to be heard far off and many came to see what was going on. When the crowd arrived they were being witnessed to by all that had been filled with Holy Spirit. Whether this was a speaking or a hearing miracle does not change that each understood that they were hearing the gospel in there own language. Way back at the tower Babel, God dispersed the people and confounded their languages, here He is bringing them together and allowing them to understand each other.
vs 7 Wait a minute! These guys are not the religious leaders, they are not even from Jerusalem. They are from up north in that religiously questionable place of Galilee. There isn't even one college up there, and they barely speak passible Hebrew.
vs 8 How can this be?
vs 9-11 Refer to maps below.
vs 12 Once again, trying to reason how this can be happening. We so often look to worldly explanations for the work of God when God is the obvious answer.
vs 13 The peanut gallery appears on que. I think it is possible that some of these accusing the disciples of being drunk, are themselves already a few beers in. It is 9 am after all.
vs 6 The Holy Spirit had come as something like a rushing wind. The Greek and Hebrew word for spirit can also mean wind or breath. The coming was loud enough to be heard far off and many came to see what was going on. When the crowd arrived they were being witnessed to by all that had been filled with Holy Spirit. Whether this was a speaking or a hearing miracle does not change that each understood that they were hearing the gospel in there own language. Way back at the tower Babel, God dispersed the people and confounded their languages, here He is bringing them together and allowing them to understand each other.
vs 7 Wait a minute! These guys are not the religious leaders, they are not even from Jerusalem. They are from up north in that religiously questionable place of Galilee. There isn't even one college up there, and they barely speak passible Hebrew.
vs 8 How can this be?
vs 9-11 Refer to maps below.
vs 12 Once again, trying to reason how this can be happening. We so often look to worldly explanations for the work of God when God is the obvious answer.
vs 13 The peanut gallery appears on que. I think it is possible that some of these accusing the disciples of being drunk, are themselves already a few beers in. It is 9 am after all.
ENGAGED
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 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: 18 and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
vs 14 Peter emerges a changed man. When Jesus had been arrested and appeared helpless, he denied knowing Jesus. Peter now knows the plan Jesus has for the world, and he will be a great witness to it. All of the, now Apostles are present.
vs 15 It is nine a.m. in the morning. What you are witnessing is not from this world. I will prove it through our writings. These events occur shortly after Jesus's three year ministry in which spiritual activity had been very high, all present have probably been affected by this activity.
vs 16-21 Scripture is best understood and proved by other scripture.
vs 15 It is nine a.m. in the morning. What you are witnessing is not from this world. I will prove it through our writings. These events occur shortly after Jesus's three year ministry in which spiritual activity had been very high, all present have probably been affected by this activity.
vs 16-21 Scripture is best understood and proved by other scripture.
JESUS IS RISEN AND AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER
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: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 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: 26 therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
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. 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; 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. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 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. 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, 35 until I make thy foes thy footstool.
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. 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; 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. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 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. 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, 35 until I make thy foes thy footstool.
INVITED
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.
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? 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.
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? 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.
vs 36 He came unto His own and His own received Him not. This Jesus who has came to save Israel and Israel crucified is both Lord and Christ. The Jewish leaders are still denying that Jesus is the Messiah, Peter was witness to the resurrection, Joels words are scriptural witness, and this event of tongues is witness to all that are present that what Peter preaches is real and true.
vs 37 The overwhelming evidence convinces them, both intellectually and emotionally. What do we do? The right question, so often this is the most important thing.
vs 38 Repentance is turning away from sin. Peter places this step first. Throughout biblical history, repentance is required for God to intervene. Had the people at the tower of Babel repented perhaps we would be living in a different kind of present.
vs 37 The overwhelming evidence convinces them, both intellectually and emotionally. What do we do? The right question, so often this is the most important thing.
vs 38 Repentance is turning away from sin. Peter places this step first. Throughout biblical history, repentance is required for God to intervene. Had the people at the tower of Babel repented perhaps we would be living in a different kind of present.
3000 ADDED
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. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
vs 39 The promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit is to everyone. This short statement says so much. Peter makes a blanket statement that will change who is in the family of God. God's chosen people, with this statement moves from exclusionary to inclusive. All present that day would have been Jews, but Peters statement is not just for the Jews. How to understand this statement will become an item of debate in the near future. You and I are to be witness's of the gospel, God will do the calling. We have a call to action, that is to be heralds and imagers of Jesus.
vs 40 The current generation was corrupted. Peter is emphasizing that the current leaders of the Jewish people were so taken with worldly things that they rejected God incarnate. The things of this world are so present before us, they can call to us and make it feel as though we must bow down to them. Power, wealth, and status call, almost demanding us to desire them. The will of God is for the lost to be saved, for the world to love Him and each other.
vs 41 Just as when we were born again, these disciples did not understand everything that would change in their lives. That they gladly received his word and then took action to become disciples speaks of the powerful speech and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand added to the church. One speech of conviction, and the power of the Holy Spirit added many disciples that day. Jesus began with twelve, then to eleven, now the church has at least three thousand one hundred and twenty members.
vs 42 The new church members now have to learn what the Apostles have through the teachings of Jesus. They will come together and move toward one goal. Breaking of bread may have been a group meal followed by communion. When we pray, we are recognizing that God is present, and willing to be petitioned or praised by us. We all have thoughts that dominate our day. It is prayer that reminds us of that God is ever present.
vs 43 The word for fear can also mean "reverence and respect". The Apostles were continuing the works of Jesus and were granted the ability to prove the unseen Gods power to all that would see. Proof of the existence of God does not seem to have lasting affects generally, and the demanding of such is almost always met with a rebuke, however these new believers are encouraged by these works that what they are about to embark on is the will of God.
vs 40 The current generation was corrupted. Peter is emphasizing that the current leaders of the Jewish people were so taken with worldly things that they rejected God incarnate. The things of this world are so present before us, they can call to us and make it feel as though we must bow down to them. Power, wealth, and status call, almost demanding us to desire them. The will of God is for the lost to be saved, for the world to love Him and each other.
vs 41 Just as when we were born again, these disciples did not understand everything that would change in their lives. That they gladly received his word and then took action to become disciples speaks of the powerful speech and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand added to the church. One speech of conviction, and the power of the Holy Spirit added many disciples that day. Jesus began with twelve, then to eleven, now the church has at least three thousand one hundred and twenty members.
vs 42 The new church members now have to learn what the Apostles have through the teachings of Jesus. They will come together and move toward one goal. Breaking of bread may have been a group meal followed by communion. When we pray, we are recognizing that God is present, and willing to be petitioned or praised by us. We all have thoughts that dominate our day. It is prayer that reminds us of that God is ever present.
vs 43 The word for fear can also mean "reverence and respect". The Apostles were continuing the works of Jesus and were granted the ability to prove the unseen Gods power to all that would see. Proof of the existence of God does not seem to have lasting affects generally, and the demanding of such is almost always met with a rebuke, however these new believers are encouraged by these works that what they are about to embark on is the will of God.
TRUE FAITH WILL RESULT IN ACTIONS
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 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, 47 praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
vs 44 It is notable that the first thing mentioned after repentance and baptism is that material possessions took on a different role. The security that possessions bring to an individual lost its importance to the new believer. Possessions became what God always meant them to be, a tool to further his will among all people.
vs 45 Many new believers from out of town, and now they needed to stay even longer in order to learn this new teaching. Could this happen today? Would the wealthy members of the church tell the poorer members to get a job if they wanted to stay? Perhaps they would tell them that had they planned better they would have put aside enough resources to afford to be part of this movement. All of these reasons could have been given then as well, but were not. Those that had an abundance willingly provided for those that did not. Material possessions took on a different meaning in light of all that God had demonstrated to them that day.
vs 46 This new community became a family, they fellowshipped with each other.
vs 45 Many new believers from out of town, and now they needed to stay even longer in order to learn this new teaching. Could this happen today? Would the wealthy members of the church tell the poorer members to get a job if they wanted to stay? Perhaps they would tell them that had they planned better they would have put aside enough resources to afford to be part of this movement. All of these reasons could have been given then as well, but were not. Those that had an abundance willingly provided for those that did not. Material possessions took on a different meaning in light of all that God had demonstrated to them that day.
vs 46 This new community became a family, they fellowshipped with each other.