Acts Chapter 2...
Ten days after Jesus's ascension (or 50 days after His resurrection)... the day of Pentecost arrives... and the Holy Spirit comes upon the 120 tarrying in the upper room.
☆ Acts 2:1...
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place."
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come..."
God's timing is impeccable.
There is nothing hit and miss about Him.
Pentecost was a Jewish harvest festival held on the Sunday fifty days after Passover, when Israelites presented the first portion of their harvest to God ☆ Leviticus 23:15-21.
It was therefore a fitting day to mark the birth of the Christian church.
Christ, the true Passover had been sacrificed ☆ 1 Corinthians 5:7, and now fifty days later God is about to pour out His Spirit on that small group of disciples who were to become the first members of the church of Jesus Christ.
One of the greatest strengths of this group of believers was their unity... they were all together with ONE accord in the ONE place.
You will see this phrase used several times in Acts.
In Psalms we read that where there is unity amongst the brethren... God commands a blessing.
God loves unity. He blesses unity.
Sadly today, one of the greatest weakness of the church is the lack of unity.
Look at what Jesus said about unity (in fact what is said here is Jesus's prayer for His disciples)...
☆John 17:21-23...
"That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent me.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them, as You have loved me."
The church's ONENESS is a feature that will greatly impact world.
☆ Acts 2:2...
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."
Out of the blue... there comes a physical manifestation that is both felt and heard by the 120 believers...
There comes a rushing, mighty wind from heaven that fills the whole house where they were sitting.
The wind of the Holy Spirit?
It would certainly have caused a sense of wonderment.
☆ Acts 2:3...
"And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them."
But wait, there's more.
Next we have a manifestation that is visible.
Hovering, sitting over each person there appeared a cloven tongue like as of fire... that is, a flame of fire.
The wind of the Holy Spirit... when He moves, He moves mightily... He is unstoppable.
And the fire of the Holy Spirit? ... the fire of the Holy Spirit burns up dross, purifies and cleanses.
□ A sudden sound from Heaven.
□ A mighty rushing wind,
□ Cloven tongues of fire sitting upon each person.
What must the 120 be thinking now?
☆ Acts 2:4...
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
And then... all 120 people were filled (baptised) with the Holy Ghost.
How do we know that?
What was the proof?
Another manifestation... they began to speak with other tongues... they spoke in audible languages as the Spirit gave them the ability to do so.
What happened was not made up... it was not self initiated... the Holy Spirit did the work entirely.
The Holy Spirit can now come into the hearts and lives of all Believers to abide permanently.
These believers were about to see another amazing miracle.
They were going to witness for Jesus to people who were in Jerusalem from other countries... and witness to them in their own language.
Remember Jesus said... "But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me."
☆ Acts 2:5...
"And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven."
Jerusalem had a larger population than usual at this point in time.
There were Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven dwelling there.
Jews were then scattered all over the Roman World, with thousands coming in from every nation to keep the Feast.
And... all at the same time as the 120 believers were receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
As I said earlier, God's timing of events is impeccable.
☆ Acts 2:6...
"Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language."
News as to what was happening with the 120 speaking in tongues spread very quickly (noised abroad). People came in droves to where the action was...
They were bewildered because every one of the visitors heard the "Pentecostals" speak in their own language.
How cool was that?
☆ Acts 2:7-11...
"And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."
These visitors to Jerusalem were totally gobsmacked, amazed... saying to each other...
"How can this be? Aren't these all Galileans who speak Galilean?
And yet we hear them speaking all the native languages of the lands where we were born!
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya, Cyrene, strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians... we hear them speak in our language the wonderful works of God."
"speaking the wonderful works of God."
Not the works of creation and providence, though these are great and wonderful.
They spoke about redemption, forgiveness, atonement, justification, and salvation, by the Messiah, by His obedience, His sufferings, and His death, and also of His resurrection from the dead.
They were amazed, that such illiterate persons should have such knowledge of them, and should be able to speak of them in such a clear, distinct, and powerful manner.
And marvelled... that they should speak of them in their several languages in which they were born, and to which they were used, and which the apostles had never learned.
This they heard with their own ears, and were fully satisfied that they did speak a variety languages.
☆ Acts 2:12...
"And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What does this mean?"
And yet in their utter amazement as to what was taking place... doubt set in and they asked one another what this all meant.
I find it amazing that the enemy always manages to put in his grotty bib in where it's not wanted... bringing doubt and disbelief... his favourite tools to discourage.
I know that when I was first baptised in the Holy Spirit (1966) with the evidence of speaking in tongues... the next day the Devil caused me to doubt my experience... Is this for real?... Did it really happen?...
What does this all mean? People are going to think you're nuts!
☆ Acts 2:13...
"Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine."
And then you have the mockers and knockers throwing in their tuppence worth.
Mockers deride and jeer.
The mockers in Jerusalem suggested that the disciples were full of new wine... that is, they're drunk.
Whenever there is a new and mighty move of God, you will always get the mockers making their denigrating comments and giving their smart allecky opinions...
And... don't be surprised... but you'll have your Christian mockers as well.
Again this is another work of the enemy... stirring up criticism, arguing, debating, questioning, judgemental attitudes.
If a new move of God gives honour, glory and praise to God... if it lifts up the Name of Jesus... then it must be good.
If it puts man on a pedestal... then forget it!
The Holy Spirit should never be put in a box... thinking He will only move this way or that.
God is the God of freshness and newness.
We mustn't put Him in the box of our narrow-minded thinking.
☆ Isaiah 42:9...
"Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
☆ Isaiah 43:19...
"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
☆ Acts 2:14-16...
"But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, You men of Judaea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words.
For these are not drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel..."
The Apostle Peter comes to the rescue... raises his voice (Holy Spirit boldness)... remember there is a huge crowd... and tells all these men to take note what he is about to say...
He says that these guys can't be drunk... it's too early in the day.
"What is happening to them... was spoken by the prophet Joel."
Joel is one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament.
Peter then quotes the appropriate Scripture.
☆ Acts 2:17-21...
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, said God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Peter tells them that...
God spoke through the prophet Joel who said that... "He will (it shall come to pass) pour out His Spirit upon all flesh in the last days.
That your sons and your daughters shall prophesy (they will foretell and forthtell)."
He goes on to say that... "Your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams."
God is going to reveal some amazing stuff. I know He has to me.
God in those days will show wonders in the heavens above... signs in the earth below... blood... fire and vapour of smoke.
The sun and moon are going to look differently too before that great and notable day of the Lord... that is, before He comes again.
In Revelation we read of these things happening during the Great Tribulation when the 7 seals are opened, the 7 trumpets sound and the 7 bowls of judgement are poured out upon the earth.
And then God says something absolutely awesome... something full of grace and truth...
He says that anyone (whosoever) who shall call upon the Name of the Lord... SHALL BE SAVED. Not maybe, but will be saved.
God is in the SAVING game... He loves us so much.
He is not willing that anyone should perish.
We know that because God sent His Son into the world to save us from sin.
☆ Matthew 1:21...
"And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins."
☆ John 3:16...
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
☆ Acts 2:22...
"You 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 you yourselves also know."
And now Peter preaches his "first" Holy Ghost anointed message since his baptism in the Spirit..
He addresses his own people the Jews (men of Israel).
He preaches Christ crucified and resurrected.
He preaches about Jesus of Nazareth... a man Who was approved of God... proven by the miracles He did.
☆ Luke 3:22...
"And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him (Jesus), and a voice came from heaven, which said, You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
Jesus... the Son of God and the Son of man... Who walked and lived among them performing wondrous miracles, signs and wonders. Peter points the finger straight at them reminding them with the words... "as you yourselves also know."
☆ Acts 2:23...
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain..."
Peter goes on to say... God, followed His prearranged plan (God not only foreknew that it would be, but determined that it should be), and let you, the Jews use the Roman government to nail Him to a cross and murder Him.
What did Jesus say about this?
☆ Luke 22:22...
"... truly the Son of man goes, as it was determined."
Jesus knew exactly what was to happen to Him, it was predetermined by God.
☆ Mark 15:13-15...
"And they (the Jews) cried out again, Crucify Him.
Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil has He done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified."
☆ Acts 2:24...
"Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."
But wait, there's more... Peter continues and tells them that God released Him from the horrors (pain) of death and brought Jesus back to life again (resurrection), for death could not keep this Man within its grip... death could not hold Him down.
In these last two verses we have the "nuts and bolts" of the simple Gospel spelled out...
□ Christ died for our sins...
□ Christ was raised from the dead three days later.
☆ Acts 2:25-28...
"For David speaks concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before My face, for He is on My right hand, that I should not be moved:
Therefore did My heart rejoice, and My tongue was glad; moreover also My flesh shall rest in hope:
Because You will not leave My soul in hell, neither will You suffer Your Holy One to see corruption.
You have made known to Me the ways of life; You shall make Me full of joy with Your countenance."
Peter now shares with the Jews a prophecy given by David in Psalms concerning Christ... ☆ Psalm 16...
"I know the Lord is always with Me. He is helping Me. God’s mighty power supports Me.
No wonder My heart is filled with joy and My tongue shouts His praises! For I know all will be well with Me in death...
You will not leave My soul in hell nor let the body of Your Holy Son decay.
You will give Me back My life and give Me wonderful joy in Your presence."
☆ Acts 2:29...
"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day."
Peter is on a roll.
He tells them to let him speak freely of the patriarch David, that he is dead and buried, and that his grave is with them to this very day.
Peter is linking Jesus to the household of king David.
☆ Acts 2:30...
"Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne."
King David was also a prophet and knew that God had made a covenant with him, that one day one of David’s own descendants would be the Messiah and sit on David’s throne.
That wasn't going to happen during Christ's first advent. He had to come as the suffering Saviour first... the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. It will happen at His second advent where He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords...
☆ Acts 2:31...
"He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption."
Peter continues...
David was looking far into the future and predicting the Messiah’s resurrection, and saying that the Messiah’s soul would not be left in hell and His body would not decay (that is see corruption).
"Hell" Greek word is 'hades'... meaning the grave, death...
☆ Acts 2:32...
"This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."
And this is the Jesus that God has raised from the dead... and Peter tells them that he and his fellow disciples were all witnesses of Christ's resurrection.
In Jewish law for something to be established as being true, you need at least two witnesses. Peter says to the mob that he and the other disciples were all witnesses to Jesus's resurrection.
☆ Acts 2:33...
"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He has shed forth this, which we now see and hear."
Peter goes on to say...
And now Jesus sits on the throne of highest honour in heaven, next to God His Father. And exactly as He promised, the Father gave Him the authority to send the Holy Spirit... with the results you are seeing and hearing today... the Baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced with the speaking in tongues... in this case the languages you hear.
Jesus told His disciples in...
☆ John 16:7...
"Nevertheless I (Jesus) tell you the truth; It is expedient (profitable) for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."
And that He did!
He is Faithful that promised.
☆ Acts 2:34-35...
"For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he said himself, The LORD said unto My Lord, Sit You on My right hand,
until I make Your foes Your footstool."
These Prophecies were not given to David concerning himself, but rather the One Who was to come, namely the Lord Jesus Christ.
Evidently, some of the religious leaders of Israel were claiming that these Prophecies were in reference to David, and had nothing to do with Jesus, which Peter repudiates (rejects) here.
"The LORD said unto My Lord..." God the Father said to God the Son.
And Peter repeats... that is where Jesus is now... sitting at the right hand of the Father, until God brings all Christ's enemies into complete subjection. This will not be fully realized until the conclusion of the Kingdom Age.
☆ Acts 2:36...
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Peter concludes with... "Therefore I clearly state to everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus you crucified to be both the Lord and the Messiah!"
So... what are the listeners going to say to all this? Did Peter hit the mark? Was it all clear enough? Did he present a water tight case on this person Jesus of Nazareth to his fellow Jews?
☆ Acts 2:37...
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
The Holy Spirit had anointed Peter's preaching.
And...the Holy Spirit brought great conviction in the hearts of the listeners...
So... they ask Peter and the rest of the disciples... "What shall we do? What do we do with what we have heard?"
☆ Acts 2:38...
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Good question... and an even better answer... The Holy Spirit through Peter, continues and says to them, and it's an answer that is for all time... whether the generation of people then or generation of people today...
1. "Repent..." that is, do a complete about turn from what you are doing... change your thinking... turn away from your sinful ways... and say sorry to God.
Sadly repentance is a so called "dirty word" today and seldom gets preached from the pulpit. Instead people like to have their ears tickled with things they only like to hear.
2. "Be baptised everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." that is to be baptised in water to show your true repentance. Being baptised in water was John's baptism... a baptism of repentance.
However, being baptised in water by itself does not save you.
☆ Mark 16:16... "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believe not shall be damned."
Believing and receiving Jesus does.
3. "And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost... "
and the result?... you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
☆ Acts 2:39...
"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Peter goes on with...
"For Christ promised the Holy Spirit to each one of you who has been called by the Lord our God, and to your children and even to those in distant lands far away!"
"...even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Interesting phrase.
Does this mean there are those that God doesn't call.
Check out what's written in verse 47.
☆ Acts 2:40...
"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
Peter continued to witness and encourage his listeners with many persuasive words... strongly urging them all to save themselves from the evils of their nation.
Separate yourselves from that crooked and perverse generation... accept God's salvation. The power is present with you... make proper use of it, and you shall be delivered...
□ from this crooked generation's obstinate unbelief, and...
□ from the punishment that awaits this crooked generation in the destruction of them and their city by the Romans.
☆ Acts 2:41...
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
Peter must have been elated and overjoyed with the results of his Holy Spirit anointed preaching.
There were many who gladly received the word and were baptised.
On that very day there were added 3 000 saved souls.
That's what happens when the simple gospel is preached under a Holy Ghost anointing... and Holy Ghost conviction.
And so... the Church of Jesus Christ was birthed on this day of Pentecost with 3 000 people added to the Kingdom of God.
And what is the simple Gospel?
Christ died for our sins... and Christ was raised from the dead three days later.
It's a simple, uncomplicated Gospel that doesn't change and hasn't changed... won't change... shouldn't change...
It's the same Gospel that needs to be preached today... and yes, using unpopular words such as sin, the carnal nature, the flesh, dying to self, repentance, Heaven and Hell... etc.
And so the Church started to grow.
Notice the dynamics (practises) at work...
☆ Acts 2:42...
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
The early Church, the body of believers...
□ Continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine... they taught everything that Jesus taught them, the Holy Spirit bringing all things to their remembrance, whatsoever Jesus has said unto them.
□ Continued stedfastly in fellowship... the Greek word for fellowship is "koinonia" which is a deep, intimate sharing with one another. They were meeting together regularly, encouraging and building up one another in "faith" and in "the faith."
□ Continued stedfastly in the breaking of bread... regularly taking the Lord's Supper... remembering the Lord's broken body and shed blood... till He come.
□ Continued stedfastly in prayer... the Church prayed and prayed and prayed some more. Prayer is the powerhouse of the Church. The words pray, prayer, prayed are used some 35 x's in Acts.
The Church that prays together, stays together.
When the Church prays... things start to happen because God becomes part of the equation... even the whole equation!
☆ Acts 2:43...
"And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."
☆ Proverbs 1:7...
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
A holy fear of God... and a deep reverence for God came upon every soul in the early church.
Sadly that's not the case today. People have become slack and have become too familiar with God bordering on irreverence.
Awe of and respect for God is not there any more.
Here in the early church of Acts... many signs and wonders were done by the apostles.
"Signs"... miracles and wonders by which God authenticates the men sent by Him, or by which men prove that the cause they are pleading is God's.
"Wonders"... miracles.
What did Jesus say would happen when He leaves?
☆ John 14:12...
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
☆ Acts 2:44...
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common..."
The early Church was community minded. All the people that believed were ONE... they were on the same page... there was a common unity... they were there for each other.
And what's more they had all things common. What they had they shared. There was no this is mine and that is yours mentality.
☆ Acts 2:45...
"And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need."
They were so one minded (caring and sharing), they sold their possessions and goods and shared what they made with those who were in need.
This became more evident when the Church came under persecution.
☆ Acts 2:46-47...
"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...
Praising God, and having favour with all the people.
And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
Wherever they were they "had church." Whether they were in the home... in the temple... or in the market place.
They continued daily with one accord (they had one purpose) in the temple... to preach, teach, have devotions and discussions.
They shared their meals going from house to house.
They ate their food with extreme joy and simplicity of heart.
It is awesome... fellowshipping over a meal together.
Never let busyness, work, pleasure nor time get in the way of this.
As I said earlier... the one key strength of the early believers as a church was their UNITY... they were always together "with one accord."
The Greek word for "with one accord" is 'homothumadon'... meaning one mind, one passion, unanimous.
The believers praised and worshipped God together. They knew the Fountain from whence they derived their spiritual and temporal blessings... and so gave glory to God.
The believers also had favour with all the people in the city.
The Greek word for "favour" is 'charis' meaning... GRACE!
But that was soon to change.
And... and... and... the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.
Note that this is the first time in Acts the word "church" is used.
The Greek word for "church" is 'ekklesia' meaning... an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting.
And also note... that it was the Lord Who added to the Church...
We are reminded in Psalm 127:1... "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it..."
Later in the epistles of Paul we read...
☆ 1 Corinthians 3:7...
"So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase."
The Holy Spirit enables, empowers and equips the believer to witness, to preach and to teach... but... it is God, Who gives the increase... it is God Who does the saving... it is God Who adds to the Church daily.
We would do well to remember that. It will save us from getting puffed up with pride... and self importance... and from falling flat on our face...
Sad to say there are many ministers, pastors today who are busy building their own little church empires... and unfortunately the Holy Spirit doesn't get a look in.
"... such as should be saved..." is an interesting statement.
I believe it could have something to do with what some Bible teachers call the doctrine of predestination.
Paul speaks of it in ☆ Romans...
☆ Romans 8:29...
"For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
☆ Romans 8:30...
"Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified..."
Predestinate... Gr. "proorizo" means to... pre determine, to ordain, decide beforehand, God decreeing from eternity.
Predestination simply means that God has choosen beforehand whoever He wants to save.
In His absolute sovereignty, He is allowed to and can do that.
But... then the Word also says...
☆ 2 Peter 3:9...
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
I like to believe that God "calls" everybody to be saved.
Without that "call," man cannot be saved, but sadly... many refuse the "call."
The Lord knows exactly, even before it happens, who will accept His "call" and accept His salvation. .
Selah!