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使徒行传 2
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
使徒行传 2
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
圣灵降临
2 五旬节那天，门徒聚集在一起。 2 忽然，天上发出一阵响声，好像狂风呼啸而过，充满了他们所在的房子， 3 又有火焰般的舌头显现出来，分别落在各人的头上。 4 大家都被圣灵充满，得到圣灵所赐的才能，说起别的语言来。
5 当时耶路撒冷住着从各国回来的虔诚的犹太人。 6 众人听见这阵响声便赶过来，听见门徒在说他们各自的语言，都十分纳闷， 7 惊诧地说：“看啊！这些说话的不都是加利利人吗？ 8 怎么会说我们各自的语言呢？ 9 我们这里有帕提亚人、玛代人、以拦人，以及住在美索不达米亚、犹太、加帕多迦、本都、亚细亚、 10 弗吕迦、旁非利亚、埃及和靠近古利奈的利比亚的人，还有从罗马来的犹太人和改信犹太教的人、 11 克里特人和阿拉伯人。我们都听见他们在用我们各自的语言诉说上帝的伟大！” 12 他们都大感惊奇和困惑，彼此议论说：“这到底是怎么回事？”
13 有些人就讥笑说：“他们不过是被新酒灌醉了！”
彼得讲道
14 彼得和其他十一位使徒都站起来，他大声对众人说：“各位犹太同胞和住在耶路撒冷的人啊，请留心听！我告诉你们这是怎么回事。 15 你们以为这些人是醉了，其实不是，因为现在才早上九点钟。 16 你们眼前看见的正是先知约珥所说的，
17 “‘上帝说，在末后的日子，
我要将我的灵浇灌所有的人，
你们的儿女要说预言，
青年要见异象，
老人要做异梦。
18 那时，我要将我的灵浇灌我的奴仆和婢女，
他们都要说预言。
19 在天上，我要显异兆；
在地上，我要行神迹，有血、有火、有浓烟。
20 太阳要变得昏暗，
月亮要变得血红。
这都要发生在主伟大荣耀的日子来临以前。
21 那时，凡求告主名的，都必得救。’
22 “各位以色列人啊，请留心听。上帝借着拿撒勒人耶稣在你们中间行了异能、奇事和神迹，以证明拿撒勒人耶稣是祂派来的。这是你们都知道的。 23 上帝照着自己的计划和预知把耶稣交在你们手里，你们借着邪恶之人的手把祂钉死在十字架上了。 24 但上帝为祂解除了死亡的痛苦，使祂从死里复活，因为祂不可能被死亡拘禁。 25 论到耶稣，大卫曾说，
“‘我看见主常在我面前，
祂在我右边，我必不动摇。
26 因此我的心欢喜，我的口颂赞，
我的身体也要活在盼望中。
27 因为你不会把我的灵魂撇在阴间，
也不会让你的圣者身体朽坏。
28 你已把生命之路指示我，
叫我在你面前充满喜乐。’
29 “弟兄们，我肯定地对你们说，先祖大卫死了，埋葬了，他的坟墓至今还在这里。 30 大卫是先知，知道上帝曾起誓要从他的后裔中选立一人继承他的王位。 31 他预先知道这事，讲到基督的复活，说，‘祂的灵魂不会被撇在阴间，祂的身体也不会朽坏’。 32 上帝已经使这位耶稣复活了！我们都是这件事的见证人。 33 现在祂升到上帝的右边，从天父领受了所应许的圣灵，并将圣灵浇灌下来，你们今天也耳闻目睹了。 34 大卫并没有升到天上，但他曾说，
“‘主对我主说，
你坐在我的右边，
35 等我使你的仇敌成为你的脚凳。’
36 “所以，全体以色列人啊！你们应当确实地知道，上帝已经立这位被你们钉在十字架上的耶稣为主，为基督了。”
37 他们听了彼得的话，觉得扎心，就对彼得和其他使徒说：“弟兄们，我们该怎么办呢？” 38 彼得说：“你们每一个人都要悔改，奉耶稣基督的名受洗，使你们的罪得到赦免，你们就必领受上帝所赐的圣灵。 39 因为这应许是给你们和你们的儿女，以及远方的人，就是所有被主——我们的上帝呼召的人。”
40 然后，彼得还讲了许多话警戒、劝勉他们，说：“你们要保守自己脱离这邪恶的世代。”
41 结果，那天约有三千人相信了他传的道，接受了洗礼。 42 他们都一心遵守使徒的教导，一起团契、掰饼、祷告。
43 大家都满心敬畏上帝。使徒又行了很多神迹奇事。 44 信徒聚在一起，共用所有的东西。 45 他们把田产家业变卖了，按照各人的需要把钱分给大家。 46 他们天天同心合意地聚集在圣殿里敬拜上帝，又在各人家中掰饼聚会，以欢喜、慷慨的心分享食物， 47 赞美上帝，受到众人的喜爱。主使得救的人数与日俱增。
使 徒 行 傳 2
Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
使 徒 行 傳 2
Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
圣灵的来临
2 五旬节 [a]到了，他们都聚在一个地方。 2 突然，从天上传来一个声音，好似狂风大作一般，充满了他们所在的屋子。 3 一团火舌般的烈焰出现在他们面前，然后分别落在了每个人的身上。所有的人于是都充满了圣灵， 4 并且按照圣灵赐予的能力，开始讲不同的语言。
5 那时候，来自世界各国的虔诚的犹太人住在耶路撒冷。 6 他们听到响声后，都来聚在一起。他们都很纳闷，因为当他们讲话时，每人都听到了自己的乡音。 7 他们无法理解怎么可能发生这种事情，都很吃惊，惊讶之余，他们说∶“说话的这些人难道不都是加利利人吗？ 8 那么为什么每个人听到的都是他自己的语言呢？ 9 其中有帕提亚人、玛代人、以拦人；还有从米所波大米、犹太、加帕多家、本都、亚西亚、 10 弗吕家、旁非利亚、埃及和古利奈附近的吕彼亚一带来的人；还有从罗马来的访问者， 11 有犹太人和皈依犹太教的人；还有克里特人以及阿拉伯人。我们听见那些人在用我们自己的母语讲述着上帝的伟迹！” 12 人们都感到十分惊奇和不解，彼此说道∶“这意味着什么呢？” 13 也有人取笑他们说∶“他们不过是喝多了！”
彼得对众人讲话
14 这时，彼得和另外十一个使徒站起身来。彼得提高了嗓门，对众人说∶“犹太同胞和所有住在耶路撒冷的人们，让我来告诉你们这是什么意思吧。请仔细听我说。 15 这些人并不像你们以为的那样是喝醉了，因为现在只是早晨九点钟， 16 但是，这情形正是先知约珥所说过的：
17 上帝说，
在最后的日子里，
我要把我的圣灵倾注给所有的人，
你们的儿女将会预言未来，
你们的年轻男子要看到异象，
你们的老年人要做出奇异的梦。
18 是的，在那些日子里，
我会把我的圣灵倾洒给我的奴仆，无论男女，
因此，他们都会预言。
19 我要在天上展示奇迹，
在地下显示迹象：有血、火以及烟雾，
20 在主的伟大、荣耀的那一天到来之前，
太阳要变得一团漆黑，
月亮会变成一片血红。
21 而所有信任主的人，都将得到拯救。 (A)
22 我的同胞以色列人，听着：拿撒勒的耶稣是一个非常特殊的人，上帝通过他在你们中间所行的奇迹、异象和神迹证实了这一点，你们都已看到了这些事情，你们自己知道这都是真实的。 23 上帝把这个人交给了你们，而你们却在恶人的帮助下，把他钉死在十字架上了。上帝知道这将会发生。这是按照他已决定的计划发生的。 24 然而，上帝却让他起死回生，把他从死亡的痛苦中解脱出来，因为他不可能受到死的束缚。 25 大卫是这样形容他的：
我总是看见主在我的面前，
他站在我的右侧，因而我不会受到困扰，
26 正因为如此，我的心充满了欢喜，
我的嘴伴着快乐说话；
我的身体也生在希望之中。
27 因为你不会把我丢弃在坟墓里，
你不会让你的圣者经历腐朽。
28 你已经告知我通向生活的道路；
与你同在，欢乐会充满我。 (B)
29 我的兄弟们，我可以确切地告诉大家，先祖大卫死了，被埋葬了。他的坟墓保留至今。 30 但是，他是一位先知，他知道上帝曾用誓言向他许诺，要把他的一个后代置于他的宝座上， 31 他看到了未来的事情，所以谈到基督复活时，他说：
‘他没有被丢弃在坟墓里，
他的身体也不会经历腐朽。’
32 上帝使这个耶稣从死里复活，我们都是这一事实的见证人。 33 耶稣被升至上帝的右侧，领受了天父许下的圣灵，并把它抛洒出去，即你们现在的所见所闻的。 34 大卫并没有到天上去，然而他却说：
‘主对我主说：
坐在我的右侧，
35 直到我把你的敌人置于你的脚下，
变成你的垫脚凳。’ (C)
36 因此，让所有的以色列人都肯定地知道，上帝让你们钉死在十字架上的这个耶稣成为主和基督了。”
37 众人听到这里，仿佛感到一把刀刺进了他们的心脏。他们对彼得和其他的使徒说∶“弟兄们，我们该怎么办呢？”
38 彼得对他们说∶“改变你们的内心与生活吧，你们中间的每一个人都应该奉耶稣基督的名义接受洗礼，使你们的罪得到宽恕。那么你们就会领受到圣灵的馈赠， 39 因为他的诺言是为了你们、你们的后代以及所有远方的人们－即所有那些受到主我们的上帝的召唤，来到他身边的人们。”
40 彼得又讲了很多话来警诫众人，然后又请求他们说∶“把你们自己从这邪恶的一代人里救出来吧！” 41 那些接受了他的信息的人们，都受了洗礼。那一天，大约有三千人增加到信徒的行列。 42 他们把时间都花在倾听他们的教导、同分享、同吃 [b]和祷告上。
信徒同分享
43 使徒们又行了很多奇事神迹，每个人的心里都生出敬畏之情。 44 信徒们呆在一起，分享他们的所有。 45 他们卖掉财物和家产，把它们分给所需要的人。 46 每天，他们都在大殿院里聚会，在家里同吃，并带着快乐与真挚的心享用， 47 他们赞美上帝，深得所有人的好感。每天主都增加人到得救的人的行列里去。
Footnotes
- 使 徒 行 傳 2:1 五旬节： 犹太人庆祝麦收的节日。它在逾越节后的50天。
- 使 徒 行 傳 2:42 同吃： 直译为分吃饼，其意为吃一顿饭或吃主的晚餐，即耶稣告诉他的信徒们为了记念他所吃的那顿特殊的晚餐。《路加福音》22:14-20。
使徒行传 2
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
使徒行传 2
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
五旬节圣灵降临
2 五旬节到了，他们都聚集在一起。 2 忽然有一阵好象强风吹过的响声，从天而来，充满了他们坐在里面的整间屋子。 3 又有火焰般的舌头显现出来，分别落在他们各人身上。 4 他们都被圣灵充满，就照着圣灵所赐给他们的口才，用别种语言说出话来。
5 那时住在耶路撒冷的，有从天下各国来的虔诚的犹太人。 6 这声音一响，许多人都聚了来，人人都听见门徒讲出听众各人本乡的话，就莫名其妙。 7 他们又惊讶、又惊奇，说：“你看，这些说话的，不都是加利利人吗？ 8 我们各人怎么听见他们讲我们从小所用的本乡话呢？ 9 我们帕提亚人、玛代人、以拦人和住在美索不达米亚、犹太、加帕多家、本都、亚西亚、 10 弗吕家、旁非利亚、埃及，并靠近古利奈的利比亚一带地方的人，客居罗马的犹太人和归信犹太教的人， 11 克里特人以及阿拉伯人，都听见他们用我们的语言，讲说 神的大作为。” 12 众人还在惊讶迷惘的时候，彼此说：“这是甚么意思？” 13 另有些人讥笑说：“他们是给新酒灌醉了。”
彼得在五旬节的讲道
14 彼得和十一使徒站起来，他高声对众人说：“犹太人和所有住在耶路撒冷的人哪，你们应当明白这件事，也应该留心听我的话。 15 这些人并不是照你们所想的喝醉了，现在不过是上午九点钟罢了。 16 这正是约珥先知所说的：
17 ‘ 神说：在末后的日子，
我要把我的灵浇灌所有的人，
你们的儿女要说预言，
你们的青年人要见异象，
你们的老年人要作异梦。
18 在那些日子，
我也要把我的灵浇灌我的仆人和使女，他们就要说预言。
19 我要在天上显出奇事，
在地上显出神迹，
有血、有火、有烟雾；
20 太阳将变为黑暗，
月亮将变为血红，
在主伟大显赫的日子临到以前，这一切都要发生。
21 那时，凡求告主名的，都必得救。’
22 “以色列人哪，请听听这几句话：正如你们所知道的， 神已经借着拿撒勒人耶稣在你们中间施行了大能、奇事、神迹，向你们证明他是 神所立的。 23 他照着 神的定旨和预知被交了出去，你们就藉不法之徒的手，把他钉死了。 24 神却把死的痛苦解除，使他复活了，因为他不能被死亡拘禁。 25 大卫指着他说：
‘我时常看见主在我面前，
因他在我右边，我必不会动摇。
26 为此我的心快乐，我的口舌欢呼，
我的肉身也要安居在盼望中。
27 因你必不把我的灵魂撇在阴间，
也必不容你的圣者见朽坏。
28 你已经把生命之路指示了我，
必使我在你面前有满足的喜乐。’
29 “弟兄们，关于祖先大卫的事，我不妨坦白告诉你们，他死了，葬了，直到今日他的坟墓还在我们这里。 30 他是先知，既然知道 神向他起过誓，要从他的后裔中立一位，坐在他的宝座上， 31 又预先看见了这事，就讲论基督的复活说：
‘他不会被撇在阴间，
他的肉身也不见朽坏。’
32 这位耶稣， 神已经使他复活了，我们都是这事的见证人。 33 他既然被高举到 神的右边，从父领受了所应许的圣灵，就把他浇灌下来，这就是你们所看见所听见的。 34 大卫并没有升到天上，他却说：
‘主对我主说：
你坐在我的右边，
35 等我使你的仇敌作你的脚凳。’
36 因此，以色列全家应当确实知道，你们钉在十字架上的这位耶稣， 神已经立他为主为基督了。”
37 他们听了以后，觉得扎心，就对彼得和其余的使徒说：“弟兄们，我们应当作甚么呢？” 38 彼得说：“你们应当悔改，并且每一个人都要奉耶稣基督的名受洗，使你们的罪得赦，就必领受圣灵，那白白的恩典。 39 这应许原是给你们和你们的儿女，以及所有在远方的人，就是给凡是我们主 神召来归他的人。” 40 彼得还用许多别的话，郑重作证，并且劝勉他们，说：“你们应当救自己脱离这弯曲的世代！” 41 于是接受他话的人都受了洗，那一天门徒增加了约三千人。 42 他们恒心遵守使徒的教训，彼此相通、擘饼和祈祷。
信徒的团契生活
43 使徒行了许多奇事神迹，众人就都惧怕。 44 所有信的人都在一起，凡物公用， 45 并且变卖产业和财物，按照各人的需要分给他们。 46 他们天天同心在殿里恒切地聚集，一家一家地擘饼，存着欢乐和诚恳的心用饭， 47 又赞美 神，并且得到全民的喜爱。主将得救的人，天天加给教会。
Acts 2
New International Version
Acts 2
New International Version
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost(A) came, they were all together(B) in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.(C) 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit(D) and began to speak in other tongues[a](E) as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing(F) Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed,(G) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(H) 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,(I) Pontus(J) and Asia,[b](K) 10 Phrygia(L) and Pamphylia,(M) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;(N) visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”(O)
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!(P) 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.(Q)
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,(R)
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.(S)
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,(T)
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood(U)
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord(V) will be saved.’[c](W)
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth(X) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,(Y) which God did among you through him,(Z) as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;(AA) and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.(AB) 24 But God raised him from the dead,(AC) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.(AD) 25 David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.(AE)
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e](AF)
29 “Fellow Israelites,(AG) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch(AH) David died and was buried,(AI) and his tomb is here(AJ) to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.(AK) 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.(AL) 32 God has raised this Jesus to life,(AM) and we are all witnesses(AN) of it. 33 Exalted(AO) to the right hand of God,(AP) he has received from the Father(AQ) the promised Holy Spirit(AR) and has poured out(AS) what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’[f](AT)
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord(AU) and Messiah.”(AV)
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”(AW)
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,(AX) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.(AY) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(AZ) 39 The promise is for you and your children(BA) and for all who are far off(BB)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”(BC) 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number(BD) that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching(BE) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread(BF) and to prayer.(BG) 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.(BH) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(BI) 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.(BJ) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.(BK) They broke bread(BL) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.(BM) And the Lord added to their number(BN) daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2
New Catholic Bible
Acts 2
New Catholic Bible
Pentecost[a]
Chapter 2
Descent of the Spirit and Birth of the Church.[b] 1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all assembled together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there came from heaven a sound similar to that of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages,[c] as the Spirit enabled them to do so.
5 Now staying in Jerusalem there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 At this sound, a large crowd of them gathered, and they were bewildered because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
7 They were astounded and asked in amazement, “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it then that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,[d] 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages about the mighty deeds of God.”
12 They were all astounded and perplexed, and they said to one another, “What does all this mean?” 13 However, others said mockingly, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 Peter Preaches in the Name of the Twelve.[e] Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and proclaimed to them in a loud voice, “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It is only nine o’clock in the morning.[f] 16 Rather, this is what was revealed through the prophet Joel:
17 ‘It will come to pass in the last days, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy;
your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Indeed, even upon my servants and my handmaids
I shall pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they shall prophesy.
19 I will show portents in the sky above
and signs on the earth below:
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned into darkness
and the moon to blood
before the day of the Lord comes,
that great and glorious day.
21 Then it will come to pass
that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth was a man commended to you by God by means of miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him, as you yourselves know. 23 By the set plan and foreknowledge of God, he was handed over into the hands of lawless men. Crucifying him, you killed him. 24 However, God raised him up, releasing him from the pangs of death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says of him:
‘I saw the Lord always before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be shaken.
26 Therefore, my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted;
moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
27 For you will not abandon me to the netherworld
or allow your holy one to suffer corruption.
28 You have made known to me the way of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
29 “Brethren, I can say to you boldly that our ancestor David both died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this very day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that one of his descendants would sit on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, saying that he was not abandoned to the netherworld and that his flesh did not suffer corruption.
32 “God raised this Jesus to life. Of that we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at God’s right hand, he received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
36 “Therefore, let the whole house of Israel know with complete certitude that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.”
37 When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “What are we to do, brethren?” 38 Peter answered, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise that was made is for you, for your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 Life of the First Community—I.[g] He offered further testimony with many other arguments as he exhorted them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and on that day about three thousand people were added to their number. 42 They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers.
43 A sense of awe was felt by all for many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and owned everything in common. 45 They would sell their property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to all according to what each one needed. 46 Every day, united in spirit, they would assemble together in the temple. They would break bread in their homes and share their food with joyful and generous hearts 47 as they praised God, and they were regarded with favor by all the people. And day by day the Lord added to those who were being saved.
Footnotes
- Acts 2:1 For the first time, the witnesses come in contact with the crowd, which is made up of persons from all the nations. We are at the center of the world that is the starting point for a universal future.
- Acts 2:1 The gift of the Spirit founds the Church as a living reality; Christ has prepared the way for the Church; the Spirit comes to take possession of her, to animate her, to help her with his charisms. Thus, for every community of believers, Pentecost is the feast of its own birth. The Spirit is “poured out” (see Acts 2:17) like rain, which is the source of life in an arid land; as Jesus had promised, there is a “baptism with the Spirit” (Acts 1:5).
The phenomena that accompany the event are rich in symbolism and also have a biblical meaning: they call to mind the theophanies, i.e., the manifestations of God to his people in order to change their anonymous destiny into a life-giving covenant (see Ex 19:18; Deut 4:9-24, 36; Ps 68).
Pentecost, which occurred fifty days after Passover, was the feast on which the firstfruits of the harvest were offered to God, but it was above all the feast of the covenant and of the gift of the Law. - Acts 2:4 Different languages: i.e., different from their usual language. The reference may also be to ecstatic language (see Mk 16:17; 1 Cor 14:2-23).
- Acts 2:10 Proselytes: those who had accepted circumcision and the Jewish Law.
- Acts 2:14 The author of Acts does not make up his discourses like the historians of antiquity, who liked to place their own thoughts and reactions on the lips of their subjects. In Luke’s view, the Word is decisive for the life of the community.
This sermon is the first; therefore, it has programmatic value in addition to its function in the immediate context. It proclaims the paschal event to all of Israel and even to distant peoples. The same fundamental pattern will recur in the other addresses of the apostles to the Jews. - Acts 2:15 Nine o’clock in the morning: literally, “the third hour.” See notes on Mt 27:35 and Mk 15:25.
- Acts 2:40 Luke offers us three general descriptions of the first community, each depicting their manner of life: here, and in Acts 4:32-35 and 5:12-16.
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