Acts 2:40–47

  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. 

Commentary 

Vs. 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 

Even though not all of Peter’s sermon is included here there is plenty to feast one’s soul upon. Now the Apostle Peter in compelling people to repent and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, also exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Which is so relevant today, as we clearly see this world and the people of it degenerating into their own version of Sodom and Gomorrah. Therefore, do not follow after them, but rather turn away from them and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ who will give you Light and Life so that you may escape them, and the Judgment that is coming on them, the moment you believe in Him. Therefore, be saved from this perverse generation, receive and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for yourself! 

Vs. 41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” 

Now the effect of Peters Spirit filled preaching was immediate, for about three thousand souls (i.e. men and woman) gladly received his word, and so they were all baptized and were numbered amongst them.

Vs. 42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” 

These people then in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ also then continued steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine, for no one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will oppose His Word given us through His apostles in the N.T. For just as they did, so do we want to continue on in the Apostle’s doctrine. Same with having fellowship with each other, here listed as in the breaking of communal bread and in prayers which marked the early churches gatherings. For there is in every believer a desire to be with other believers and to serve and share and worship together with them. Thus, in being separated to God we are freed from the world and its Godless pursuits and desires! 

Vs. 43 “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”

Not only was God’s fellowship there with them, but also His fear, which is not the fear of unbelieving mankind that comes upon them at the Presence of God, but the reverential fear that comes upon every soul who believes and obeys Him. Now because of that, of their collective fear of the Lord, many signs and wonders were done through the apostles amongst them, whereby He no doubt confirmed them, and their faith in Him to them. The early church then was going to established by God by doing such things through His apostles, who themselves were representing the Lord Jesus Christ to them. 

Vs. 44-45 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. 

The growth of the early church then was not just in numbers, but in God’s love for each other, so much so that all who believed were together and they held all things in common. For having found their true riches in Christ their greed and selfishness soon gave way to their wanting to be with each other and their experiencing God’s love and expressing it towards one another above all else. No one then had need of anything, for each one was now looking out for each other’s wellbeing. Now all of this was done voluntarily by those there, thus there was neither a dictate or command that compelled them to do so. And so, though this passage reveals a very compelling picture of what every believer wants; to be in a loving community of believers; however, I must caution that this passage (and others like it, i.e. Acts 4:32-36) has sadly through the ages been used by false teachers and cults to compel or mislead people into going into isolated communities whereby they only become exploited or abused by them. Again, these things were a work of the Holy Spirits outpouring in the earth, and so just as with tongues speaking (which served its own purpose and witness) this also soon ceased as God does not intend His people to live isolated lives from the world; separated and sanctified lives yes; isolated lives no. Therefore, beware of anyone who now cites this as “the church model” of needing to isolate oneself from the world around them. For the believers still had contact with their unsaved Jewish family members and brethren, they still went to their work and labors, they still went to the Temple and or the marketplaces etc. Therefore, the sharing of one’s possessions through love is the model being exemplified here, not forming colonies and isolated communities that only end up living by their own man-made rules and decrees. And thus, soon become models more or less of legalistic and spiritual bondage (and all the weight and burden that goes with that) rather what we see here is the brethren truly living and manifesting Christs love and abundance of life to one and to all. Therefore, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be filled with His love and compassion for all, especially your brethren, and consider those who are in genuine need around you, and share and give as you purpose in your own heart, thereby laying up your treasures for the Kingdom to Come, but do not feel compelled to surrender all of your possessions to the church or its leader or leadership since God is more than capable of distributing through you what He has given and entrusted you with (2 Cor 9:6-9). 

Vs. 46-47 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. 

With the Holy Spirits outpouring and the rapid growth of the early believers we see that they were daily seeking God in the Temple, while having shared fellowship with each other from house to house, they learned the apostles doctrine and continued on in it. And so, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, being fully content with Christ because once one’s souls’ hunger is satisfied everything else is a bonus! Their lives down here then were no longer marked by the worries and anxieties or frustrations and anger and despair that once plague them when they were dead in their own sins and transgressions. For now, having remission of all their sins and being brought to new and everlasting life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ praising God was a reflection of who they now are, a redeemed and regenerated and united people whose purposes and being was now bound with heavens! Therefore, having much thanksgiving and delight in the Lord their lives clearly reflected this, and so they had favor with all people as their joy and contentment was self-evident to all. Therefore, the Lord was also daily adding to the church those who were being saved, because a contagious Christian is contagious! That said, as we will see when a contagious Christian or Christians begin to make an impact upon those around them, the ruler of this world will begin to stir up his own opposition against them. For even though our Lord reigns and heaven is His Throne and our home, and thus our victory is already forever secured (John 10:27-30), this world is where the battle for the souls of mankind must play out. (see page 1590 Believers Bible Commentary for an excellent article on the church)  

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 2:14–39

  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. ¹⁶ But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 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. ²¹ And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ 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. 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.’ 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. 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, 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. ³² This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 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. 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 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ ³⁶ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 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?” 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. 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.”

Commentary 

Vs. 14-16 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. ¹⁶ But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 

Having endured their hostility, Peter being filled with the Holy Spirit now stands up with the eleven and raises his voice and warns the crowd not to attribute the Work of the Spirit of God though them to drunkenness! Since as he says, it is only the third hour of day, (about 9:00 am), thus it was far to early for them to have begun eating and drinking on this celebratory Feast day, rather what they have heard and witnesses is the fulfillment of the Word of God spoken through the prophet Joel! 

Vs. 17-21 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. ²¹ And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ 

Vs. 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. 

Therefore, Peter being filled with the Spirit of God, and thus now having a true understanding of the Work of the Lord and the Word of God, now begins to declare to them that what is occurring is in fulfillment of the Word of God spoken through the prophet Joel. And so, Peter begins by boldly declaring to them the entire prophecy spoken by Joel (Joel 2:28-32), that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Thus, what they were now observing was just that, the Holy Spirit’s outpouring into the world, beginning with those who believe at Pentecost! Now as a consequence of God pouring His Spirit out on all flesh, God foretold that their sons and daughters would prophesy, that their young men would see visions, and that their old men would dream dreams (some of which was then being fulfilled in the early church, however some of it is also going to be fulfilled when Israel as a nation comes to know the Lord). And so once again Israel would again become a nation by which God’s Person and Presence was clearly known and seen by all! Thus, with the Holy Spirits outpouring into the world at Pentecost the only thing that hinders this prophecy from taking hold in Israel is Israel itself! For until they (or anyone else) receives the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves, they cannot have the fulfillment of the entire prophecy enacted upon themselves. 

Vs. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 

That said God’s prophecy and promise extends well beyond the boundaries of Israel, but will see its fulfillment to the ends of the earth. On everyone who believes in God’s Son, who themselves then is willingly God’s servant, will prophesy, that is they will declare the Word of the Lord and His Mighty works because of the Holy Spirit being upon them and in them! 

Vs. 19-21 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. ²¹ And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’  

God Himself then has verified these times by showing great and mighty wonders and signs in the heavens and on earth, some of which were seen at the Lord Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion, and some of which will be shown leading up to His Return, but the most graphic and intense will only be seen at the coming of the great and awesome Day of the Lord which is the Day of judgment for the unrepentant and unbelieving, but is the Day of salvation for everyone who now calls upon the Name of the Lord (vs. 21)! Therefore, now is the time to repent and believe, now is the time to call upon the Name of the Lord and avail oneself to all of God’s grace and the everlasting blessings and benefits of believing in and belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ! For it is by faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ that one receives remission of all their sins and everlasting life! 

Vs. 22-24 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 then having declared to them the Word of the Lord given through the prophet Joel that, “Whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Now declares to them the Person and Work of the Lord. That is Jesus of Nazareth who was attested to by God by all the miracles and wonders and signs which God did through Him in the midst of Israel, can neither be denied by them or anyone else. And yet it was the Son of God Jesus Christ who being delivered up to death by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, Israel thus took by lawless hands and Crucified to death! Nonetheless their doing so neither thwarted nor hindered God’s Redemption plans, for with their Crucifying the Christ, God showed Himself way above them (and above Satan and even death itself) and raised His Son from the dead! For it is not possible that that Jesus Christ in suffering Crucifixion death for us all in the fulfillment of Scripture should be held it! 

Vs. 25-28 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 then in declaring the Lord Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion death and Resurrection from the dead now again recalls the prophetic Word of the Lord in Psalm sixteen where David foresaw these things, that the Lord would always before his face, that the grave would not keep Christ, nor would He see corruption, for He must reign as God, just as David saw Him, at his right hand ever with him. Therefore, David seeing this could boldly say that his own flesh would rest in hope, because as his Lord the Lord Jesus Christ would be delivered from death and raised from the dead, so he himself (and thus all who believe in Christ who are dead), will also be raised from the dead on the last Day! That is the vision and promise given in verse twenty-seven that God Himself will not leave His Sons soul (nor ours) in Hades (i.e. the grave, the place of the dead), rather at death just as David saw the Lord Jesus Christ’s soul in heaven so will ours be! However, unlike us who die, whose mortal bodies will see corruption down here if we die physically, David foresaw that God would not allow His Holy One to see corruption! Therefore, David knowing our Lords and thus his own future and glory could triumphantly boast in the Lord saying, “You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.” ^{Vs. 28} Thus this prophecy was given to foretell and declare the Lord Jesus Christ’s Death and Resurrection, because without that there is no resurrection (thus new and everlasting life) for anyone else. Thus, first is Jesus Christ’s Resurrection then everyone else’s on the last Day. And so that is exactly what the Apostle Peter will do declare Christ’s Resurrection when he gives us the interpretation of the passage starting in verse twenty-nine. 

Vs. 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.” 

The Apostle Peter then having declared the Word of the Lord spoken through the patriarch David in Psalm sixteen now gives us the interpretation. In this he begins by saying that David in saying: “For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Was not referring to himself as the principal of the fulfillment of the prophecy, for David himself as Peter notes to them is both dead and buried, that his tomb if with them to this day. Thus, the prophecy was not given about David’s person, but the Lord Jesus Christ’s! 

Vs. 30-31 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, 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. 

The patriarch David then being a prophet of God, who having an oath sworn to him by God that He would raise up an offspring from him (i.e. of the fruit of his body) to sit on his throne, David foresaw that this would be God’s Christ (Vs. 30). Therefore, David foreseeing this also went on to speak of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, notably saying that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption (vs. 31). 

Vs. 32 “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.”  

Thus, in fulfillment of the prophecy spoken through David the Apostle Peter now says that it is this Jesus whom he was preaching to them that God has raised up from the dead, of which he and the other disciples are all witnesses of (1 Cor. 15:3-7). 

Vs. 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.” 

Jesus Christ then being raised from the dead and exalted to right hand of the Father (thus having conquered death) then received the promise from the Father, so that His Spirit was thus poured out. Which is what those who were observing the disciples were themselves then seeing and hearing! 

Vs. 34-35 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 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 

Again, David did not rise from the dead and ascend to heaven to bring salvation to Israel, or to anyone else, rather it is the Lord Jesus Christ who has! For even David himself foresaw this when He said: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, ³⁵ Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 

Vs. 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 

The Apostle Peter now hits them with the damming truth, that in their misguided zeal they themselves are the ones who Crucified this Jesus whom Peter was preaching to them, whom God made both Lord and Christ! 

Vs. 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?” 

Having heard this the conviction of what they had done now rests heavily upon them, for as the Scripture says, they were cut to the heart, and so feeling the weight of their own guilt they now ask Peter and rest of the apostles, what they are to do? Therefore, bringing about one’s guilt and or conviction of sin is never wrong if it is done in a Godly manner; (thus not recklessly, or cruelly, or done to shame the already wounded); but rather with the goal of one’s repentance and restoration in mind, by which all may rejoice is always a Godly and sound move. 

Vs. 38-39 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. 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.” 

The Apostle now tells them what they, and all who have not yet done so, need to do, and that is “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.” For without repentance (i.e. a change of mind about oneself, and or what one has done, and thus that one is indeed a sinner in need of salvation, or God Himself that He alone is Good and has provided salvation for us) there can be no salvation, for the two are unmistakably intertwined throughout the Scripture. Thus, repentance begins by honestly acknowledging one’s sin and guilt before God, which often leads to throwing oneself on the mercies of God. For repentance is the beginning of seeing oneself as one truly is, and thus also seeing one’s own inability to either save oneself, or redeem oneself from one’s sins and transgressions. And in this there was nothing that Israel could now do to undo what they have done, all they can do is repent of what they had done, so that the doors of salvation would open to them. Therefore, Peters saying that they were to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins so that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, is his saying that having repented of what they had done to Him they now need to identify themselves as believing in Him. And in this baptism by full water immersion is how they could clearly and undeniably publicly identify themselves as believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself like all who belong to Him in the N.T. were likewise fully water baptized. For having repented of what they had done to Him (and or once thought or said about Him) they now need to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith, which again is here to be demonstrated by their being baptized in water which would be they’re now identifying themselves with Him as believing in and thus belonging to Him. Now in the Believers Bible Commentary they make the point that water baptism here was commanded only of Israel for the remission of their sins, and so water baptism here for them is their washing away the guilt of bloodshed from their hands, for its not water baptism that brings the remission of our sins and eternal life, it is only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by which we receive the Holy Spirit, and thus we receive the washing and renewing and regeneration that comes by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-7). Therefore, having declared to them the way of salvation, the Apostle Peter in exhorting them to repent and believe now says to them: “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.” The Promise then of eternal life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not then just to the Jews then there in Jerusalem, but to as many as the Lord our God will call! Therefore, please here the call of the Lord Jesus Christ to you and repent of your sins and believe in Him so that you may also have remission of all your sins and everlasting!

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 2:5–13

 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.”

Commentary 

Vs. 5 “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.” 

The Holy Spirit’s Arrival then couldn’t have been better timed, for dwelling in Jerusalem at that time were devout Jews from every nation under heaven, and it was to the Jews that God’s Son Jesus Christ first came offering them Redemption and Eternal Salvation by faith in His Person. 

Vs. 6 “And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.” 

The sound of the Holy Spirit’s Arrival as of a mighty rushing wind then was not just heard and experienced by the assembled disciples, but those same devout Jews from all the different nations upon hearing this came to where the disciples were assembled, and when they did, they were dumbfounded because everyone heard them speak in their own language! This then was a very deliberate and mighty sign from God to them all! 

Vs. 7-11 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.” 

Now those devout men upon hearing them were completely amazed that the disciples, (who were Galilean), were now speaking in their own nations languages, these being listed as: Parthians and Medes and Elamites, also those from Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, as well as visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—All these then heard the disciples speaking in their own languages the wonderful works of God! Surely such things had never been seen or done before. And yet here as a sign to them all the disciples were by the Holy Spirit speaking in the languages of all those who were assembled in Jerusalem in fulfillment of Jesus’ own Word (Mark 16:17-18). 

Vs. 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 

And so, the multitudes who were hearing and observing this still being amazed and perplexed by it all began to say to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” These then are the ones who will be receptive to the Word of God that will follow this mighty sign from heaven. 

Vs. 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” 

Even though there was a general amazement at what was happening, there were some amongst the Jews who did not want to acknowledge this as a work of God through the apostles. And so, they mocked them and charged the apostles with drunkenness of all things, and yet they were not drunk with wine (or anything else), but they were filled with the Holy Spirit and by the Holy Spirits Power they were bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now those who responded in this way were only fulfilling God’s own Word which foretold that Israel would respond to Him in this way (Isaiah 28:11-12). Therefore, being filled with the Holy Spirit the apostles now brush off the mockers unbelief and insults and will now declare the Word of God by the same Spirit to them all. And in this Peter will take the lead.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 2:1–4

 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. 

Preamble: 

The apostles and the early disciples now continue on in prayer as Jesus told them to do while waiting for the Promise from the Father. This chapter then recalls those events as the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them and will not only enable them to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, (and fulfill the Word of God that He would speak to Israel in other tongues, i.e. languages). but more importantly it is the Holy Spirit’s regeneration of their and our persons that makes us new creations in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), which is not only our salvation, but our now being God’s living witnesses of our Living Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! This chapter then is not about the sign gift of speaking in tongues, it is about God taking His chosen (who are the least in the eyes of the world) and making us to be His Witnesses of His Son’s Resurrection Life and Power and Glory by His Holy Spirits first transforming us, then enabling us to be His Witness and Workers (i.e. Gospel preachers, teachers and workers) to the ends of the earth! 

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” 

The Day of Pentecost, the finial day of the Jews traditional feast of weeks celebration (Lev. 23:15-21; Deut. 16:9-12), which also was the fiftieth day since the Lord Jesus Christ’s Ascension back to God the Father in heaven. And so, on that Day the disciples being gathered together in Jerusalem will now experience God’s outpouring of His Spirit and blessing upon them. 

Vs. 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.” 

The Holy Spirits entrance into their persons and lives then is by no means subtle! Rather He comes from heaven into the place where they are staying as of a mighty rushing wind, filling the whole house where they are sitting. They all then see and experience this powerful outpouring by God of His Spirit upon them. 

Vs. 3 “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” 

Now as the Holy Spirit made His grand entrance into the place where they were sitting, there appeared to them divided tongues; that is He gave to each one of them a different language other than their mother tongue or language; now all of these were as of fire, (not literal fire), thus making them then very fervent and bold in their new speech. 

Vs. 4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” 

And so, now being filled with Holy Spirit, (notice not one was left out), it is the Holy Spirit who now enables them to speak with other tongues, i.e. languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Thus, it was the Spirit not themselves who was giving them the words and means to speak in other languages. No one then was ever “coached” on how to speak in tongues in the New Testament. This then begins the fulfillment of Jesus’ Promise that with the Holy Spirits outpouring into the world He would come and reside in each and everyone of us who believe in Him (John 14:16-17). Now there are certain things that uniquely occurred here. First is the Holy Spirits Presence coming into the place where they were staying as of a mighty rushing wind. Nowhere else in the New Testament does this occur because His Coming into the world, and us, occurs only once, for He does not now leave us and then come back to us (John 14:16). And so, it was to the first disciples that His Arrival in the world had to be revealed to them in this very tangible way. Next is the gift of speaking in other languages that the Holy Spirit gave to each disciple, for as we will see this will serve a very specific purpose in fulfilling the Scripture, and bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ to all the Jews who were then in Jerusalem, from all over the world, for the Feast at Pentecost.

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

 

Acts 1:15–26

  ¹⁵ And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, ¹⁶ “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; ¹⁷ for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” ¹⁸ (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰ “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’ ²¹ “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” ²³ And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen ²⁵ to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

Commentary 

Now it was during those days, that is those days between the Lord Jesus Christ’s Ascension and the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, that the Apostle Peter being chosen by Christ to be a leader amongst them, stood up in the midst of the disciples which had then grown to be about one hundred twenty people and recalled the Holy Spirits Scriptural Word written by David in the Book of Psalms concerning Judas Iscariot (i.e. Psalm 41:9), who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and thus became guide to those who arrested Him (vs. 15-16), and who later died by his own hand. And so, Peter understanding these things and seeing that Judas Iscariot had taken part in the ministry in fulfillment of the Word of God, will after declaring Judas Iscariots own demise (vs. 18-19), and now recalling the Word of God written in the Psalms which said of him, ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’ (vs. 20 citing Psalm 69:25; Psalm 109:8), will now propose a replacement for him, saying, “Therefore, of these men now ho have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” ^{Vs. 21-22} 

Thus in seeking to obey the Will of God in the Word of God the Apostle Peter now states that whoever is chosen as the Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot must have been with them from the time of John the Baptists baptism, to the Day of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Ascension, thus they had to have been an eye witness to the Lord Jesus Christ from the beginning of His Ministry Life to His Ascension back to God the Father in heaven. For they must also bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection along with the original eleven chosen individually by Jesus Christ Himself. 

Vs. 23-26 ²³ And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen ²⁵ to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 

Therefore, having understood the Will of God in the Word of God, two men are now proposed by the eleven. First is a man named Joseph called Justus whose surname was Justus, and another man named Matthias. Having then proposed these two men the apostles now present them to the Lord in prayer saying, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen ²⁵ to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” Having then committed the choice to the Lord they now cast lots by which the Will of the Lord could be revealed to them. Now the casting of lots was a well-established and commanded O.T. Scriptural practice amongst the Jews. Seen early on as the means by which the sacrificial scapegoat was chosen (i.e. Lev. 16:8-10). And later God specifically commanded through Moses that this was how the land of Canaan was to be divided amongst the tribes of Israel, by casting lots for each tribe’s territory, (Num. 26:55; Joshua 14-21), and then amongst each tribes’ families (Num. 33:54. 34:14 etc.). By doing so there could be no just grounds for complaints by anyone of being “wronged” (consider Prov. 18:18). Now in terms of offices this was how key Levitical offices were filled in the Kingdom era (1 Chr. 24:1-5, 31; 25:8-9; 26:13-14 etc.), and so the casting of lots was a well-established practice that the apostles choose to seek out the Will of the Lord’s there. However, after the Holy Spirits outpouring this practice amongst them clearly ceased; again, this was done by them only in that instance; for we are all now to be guided by the Spirit of God into the will of God for us. Therefore, with the Lord’s choosing Matthias he was numbered amongst the twelve apostles as an Apostle and living witness to the Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection. The early church now has their leadership foundation and purposes laid forth, what it does not have though is power to execute the Will of the Lord in regards to this. That then comes with the Holy Spirits Outpouring into the world! 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 1:12–14

  ¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. ¹³ And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 

Vs. 12 “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.” 

Having then seen the Lord Jesus Christ Ascend back to God in heaven the disciples in great joy (Luke 24:52) now return to Jerusalem. Here then the location of the Lord Jesus’ Ascension is stated as taking place on Mount Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey, that is the maximum amount a Jew was allowed to travel on the Sabbath. 

Vs. 13 “And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.” 

Having then returned to Jerusalem, to the place where they were staying, they, (the eleven apostles), went up into the upper room, (the room where they had begun their praying after Jesus’ Crucifixion and later Resurrection appearances to them), and so here they are listed by name, Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.” 

Vs. 14 “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” 

Now joining the eleven apostles were the woman who ministered to Jesus as well as the mother of Jesus and His brothers, who had now become disciples, these all then continued with one accord in prayer and supplications. 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

Acts 1:9–11 The Ascension

 ⁹ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” 

Commentary 

Vs. 9 “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

 The Lord Jesus then haven giving His finial instructions to the apostles now while they watched is taken up into a cloud out of their sight, this then is the recounting of His Ascension back to God in heaven where He is now seated, waiting till all of His enemies are made His footstool (Psalm 110:1; Heb. 10:12-13). 

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” 

The Scripture now tells us that as the apostles steadfastly watched Jesus being taken up to heaven, that two men stood by them in white apparel, are these then the same two men, i.e. angels that appeared at His empty tomb (Luke 24:4), it seems to me very likely that they are. Now as the eleven apostles were watching Jesus being taken up, the angels spoke to them saying, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Thus, even in that amazing moment, as they were captivated as these things unfold before their very eyes, the angels want to keep the apostles focus back on what needs to be done here and now. And so, they reiterate just what Jesus Himself has said and Promised, that just as He has left this world, suddenly and without any warning, so He will likewise Return! Therefore, in all joy of that glorious truth let us all be about serving the Lord Jesus Christ in whatever ways and capacities that are granted and given us while we wait on His Return! 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

 

Acts 1:4-8

⁴ And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; ⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ⁶ Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. ⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 Commentary 

Vs. 4-5 ⁴ And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; ⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

Luke now recalls how Jesus after His Resurrection presented Himself alive to the disciples         while they were all assembled in the room in Jerusalem, and thus taking His place amongst them, the Lord Jesus Christ told them to remain in Jerusalem, to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; ⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Now Johns baptism was to prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah who is Jesus Christ, thus it was only with water which itself only ritually cleansed everyone who was repentant in heart, preparing them to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, God’s Promise of Remission of sins and New and Everlasting life did not come through John’s baptism but only through Christ’s. For it is only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering death on the Cross and Resurrection from the dead that we receive remission of all of our sins and everlasting life. Now the remission of all of our sins is imputed to us only by the Lord Jesus Christ’s shed blood on the Cross, for it is by His shed blood that we are washed clean from all of our sins. That said there still is His Promise of New and Everlasting and that also happens the moment we believe in Him by His Holy Spirit which He now baptizes us with the moment we believe in Him. And so, Luke now recalls how Jesus after He had Risen from the dead and appeared to them told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until He baptized them with the Holy Spirit, for until then the Holy Spirit had not been poured out into the world. And it is the Holy Spirit who transforms not only their persons, but also ours, by bringing us to Spirit life and uniting us with Christ. And so, in this we are also baptized into Jesus Christ’s death and Resurrection, thus we die to what we once were, and we rise to what Jesus Christ has now recreated us to be by His Spirit as new creations in Christ (Rom. 6; 8; 2 Cor. 5:17). Therefore, when the Lord Jesus Christ baptizes us with His Holy Spirit, He not only saves us, sealing us and sanctifying us by His Spirit for all eternity, but He also transforms us, making us new creations in Christ! Therefore, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we have been delivered from the power of darkness (from sin, Satan, and death) and conveyed into the kingdom of Son of God’s love (Col. 1:13)!

Vs. 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

 Luke now recalls how when the disciples had gathered together and when the Lord Jesus appeared to them after He Rose from the dead telling them to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized with His Spirit not many days from now, how they then asked Jesus if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel. That is, they wanted to know when the Holy Spirit was poured out if God’s Promise of Jesus Christ’s Reign on the throne of David over all the earth was now going to take place? Which is a valid question, but as we will see the prophetic timeline for that is still future, and is not something we are to concern ourselves with. For God will fulfill that in His own time.

 Vs. 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 

Therefore, in answering them Jesus makes it clear that it is not for us to know times and seasons which God the Father has put into His own Authority (vs. 7). That is, we are not given a specific time in the Scripture when God will do this, (for God has reserved that knowledge for Himself), rather we are to live our lives down here in expectation that this may occur at any time! (consider Matt. 24:45-51; 25:1-13; Luke 12:35-48; 21:34-35 etc.) 

Vs. 8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

The Lord Jesus then having moved the disciples focus away from Israel’s restoration and God’s end time agenda to what their purpose is to be down here, now tells them that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and that they will be witnesses to Jesus Christ, first in Jerusalem, where He was rejected and Crucified, and then in all the surrounding region of Judea and Samaria, and finally even to the ends of the earth! Theirs and ours then is not be about speculating about Israel’s Restoration or the Kingdom of God’s establishment on earth rather theirs and our is to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth! For that is every Christians purpose for remaining here on earth, to bear witness to Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and thus the grace of God that comes through Him to everyone who believes! First in the place where we believed in Him, thus to our family and friends and acquaintances, or church family etc., and then as God moves or directs us, or gives opportunities to us, to everyone everywhere! For as the Lord Jesus says in giving us His Holy Spirit, He is giving us power (Gr. dunamis, Str. 1411) to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth! This then is every Christians point and purpose and service for God, not to continually speculate on end times events and happenings, (which profit or benefit no one), but as we see the end approaching to bear down and be about doing the work of the Gospel! 

Scripture Quotations 

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

 

 

Acts 1:1–3

 ¹ The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, ² until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, ³ to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Preamble: 

The Book of Acts was recorded and written by the Apostle Luke who was an early  Gentile disciple who is also referred to as the beloved physician by the Apostle Paul for his ongoing faithfulness (Col. 4:14). Luke then spent much time with the Apostle Paul during his Gospel preaching ministry and church missionary endeavours; including imprisonments with him; and as such was not only an eye witness and servant of all that the Lord did through Paul, but Luke also was an eye witness of the Lords mighty Works through the other apostles, and the early church as well. And so, Luke in recalling these events, now opens by reminding a disciple named Theophilus of the Gospel that Luke by the Holy Spirit had also recorded and written for the church that he had previously sent to him (Luke 1:1-4), a Gospel which itself bears witness to the Lord Jesus Christ’s Words and Works. Now in that Gospel the Lord Jesus Christ before His Ascension had promised that all of His disciples would be baptized with the Holy Spirit after His departure (Luke 24:48-53). This then is the Apostle Luke’s recording and recounting of what occurred when that took place, and what transpired afterwards, as the disciples now being born-again and baptized with the Holy Spirit began doing many mighty works and deeds to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ’s Person and Resurrection, specifically is their speaking with great boldness of speech, even in the face of death, as the newly poured out Holy Spirit enabled them all to do so. Thus, in the Book of Acts we see the fulfillment of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Promise of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring into believers’ persons and lives and how He immediately transformed not only those disciple’s persons and lives, but also, by the same Holy Spirit He continues to do so in every believer since! The Book of Acts then is the only Holy Spirit recorded history of the early church, which itself is the Lord Jesus Christ’s body of believers, that continues to grow upwards and outwards by faith in and obedience towards His Person by His Word given us through His chosen Biblical apostles in the Holy Scripture.

Commentary

Vs. 1 “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,”

 To begin Luke recalls his writing and sending his Gospel to a disciple named Theophilus, in which Luke told of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, that is what Jesus began to do and teach to and through His chosen apostles. However, as Luke notes these things that are recorded in the Book of Acts are not the end of the Lord Jesus Christ’s works through His people, rather they are just what He began to do in establishing the early disciples and church. For we who believe in Him all know that His Works both through us, individually as well as collectively, are ongoing, for He will continue working through us all until He returns!

 Vs. 2 “until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,”

 Jesus then Personally both did the works of the Gospel as well as taught His Word while He was here until the day in which He was taken up, that is until His Ascension back to heaven in the Presence of His chosen apostles whom He through the Holy Spirit had given His commandments too. Thus, while present with them and then later as the church was born and grew Jesus continued to Guide His people through His commandments given us by His chosen apostles. The commandments then in the N.T. Scripture are then the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Vs. 3 “to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

 The Lord Jesus Christ’s many appearances to His disciples after His Crucifixion unto death and then Resurrection from the dead are well recorded in the Gospels. Therefore, having revealed Himself to them by many infallible proofs Jesus during the forty-day time period from His Resurrection to His Ascension taught and instructed His chosen apostles concerning many things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. In doing so Jesus was preparing them for the roles that He ordained that they would fulfill in serving Him.

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.