五旬节圣灵降临

到了五旬节那天,他们都聚集[a]在一起[b] 突然,有响声从天上下来,好像狂风吹过,充满了他们所坐的整个房子, 有舌头像火焰那样,向他们显现,分开留[c]在他们每一个人身上。 于是他们都被圣灵充满,就照着圣灵赐给他们的话,开始说出别种语言[d]

当时,有从天下各国来的虔诚的犹太人,住在耶路撒冷 这声音一响,有一群人就聚集而来,非常慌乱,因为各个人都听见使徒们[e]用各个人本地的语言说话。 他们又惊讶又诧异,说[f]:“看,这些说话的不都是加利利人吗? 我们怎么会听到我们各自出生地的语言呢? 我们当中有帕提亚人、米底亚人、埃拦人;也有住在美索不达米亚犹太卡帕多细亚本都亚细亚 10 弗里吉亚潘菲利亚埃及和靠近古利奈利比亚地区的人;还有从罗马来的旅客, 11 包括犹太人和入犹太教的人;克里特人和阿拉伯人。我们都听见他们用我们的语言述说神伟大的作为!” 12 众人又惊讶又困惑,彼此问:“这是什么意思呢?” 13 可是另有些人嘲笑说:“他们被新酒灌醉了!”

彼得讲道

14 这时,彼得和其他十一个使徒一同站起来,高声对众人说:“各位犹太人和所有住在耶路撒冷的人哪,你们应当知道这件事,也应当仔细听我的话, 15 因为这些人不是像你们所想的那样喝醉了,要知道,现在不过是早上九点[g] 16 其实这是先知约珥所说的:

17 ‘神说,在末后的那些日子里将是这样:
我要把我的灵倾注在所有人身[h]上,
你们的儿女要说预言[i]
你们的年轻人要见异象,
你们的老年人要做异梦。
18 是的,在那些日子里,
我也要将我的灵倾注
在我的奴仆和婢女们身上,
他们就要说预言。
19 在天上我要显奇事;
在地上我要行神迹——
有血、有火、有烟雾。
20 在主那大而显赫的日子来到之前,
太阳要变为黑暗,
月亮要变为血。
21 那时候,无论谁求告主名,都将得救。’[j]

22 “各位以色列人哪,请听这些话:拿撒勒人耶稣是神向你们所证实的人;神藉着他在你们中间行了大能、神迹和奇事,正如你们自己所知道的。 23 这一位照着神设定的计划和先见被交出去;你们就藉着外邦人的手[k],把他钉上十字架杀了。 24 神却解除了死亡的痛苦,使他复活,因为他本来就不能被死亡辖制。 25 事实上,大卫指着他说:

‘我常常看见主在我面前;
因他在我的右边,
我就不至于摇动。
26 为此我内心欢喜,
口舌快乐,
并且我的肉身也要安居在盼望中。
27 因为你不会把我的灵魂撇弃在阴间,
也不会让你的圣者经历腐朽。
28 你让我明白了生命之道[l]
使我在你面前充满喜乐。’[m]

29 “各位兄弟,关于先祖大卫,我可以明确地告诉你们:他不但死了,也被埋葬了,而且他的坟墓到今天还在我们这里。 30 既然大卫是先知,也知道神曾向他起誓说,要从他的后裔中兴起一位[n]坐在他的宝座上, 31 大卫又预先看见了,就讲论基督复活的事,说:

‘他[o]既没有被撇弃在阴间,
他的肉身也没有经历腐朽。’[p]

32 “这位耶稣,神已经使他复活了。我们都是这事的见证人。 33 他被高举在神的右边,从父领受了所应许的圣灵,就将圣灵倾注了下来。这正是你们现在所看见所听见的。 34 大卫并没有升到诸天之上去,可是他说,

‘主对我主说:
你坐在我的右边,
35 等我把你的敌人放在你的脚下做脚凳。’[q]

36 “因此,以色列全家都当确实知道:被你们钉上十字架的这位耶稣,神已经委任他为主、为基督了。”

奉主的名得赦免

37 众人听了这话,觉得扎心,就对彼得和其他的使徒说:“各位兄弟,我们该做什么呢?”

38 彼得对他们说:“你们应当悔改,每个人都当奉耶稣基督的名受洗[r],使你们的罪得赦免,就会领受所赐的圣灵。 39 因为这应许是给你们和你们的儿女,以及所有在远处的人,就是主我们的神所召来的人。” 40 彼得还说许多别的话郑重地做见证,又劝告他们说:“你们从这扭曲的[s]世代中得救吧!”

信徒们共同生活

41 于是[t]领受他话的人就受了洗;那一天大约增加了三千人[u] 42 他们在使徒们的教导上,在契合[v]、掰饼、祷告之事上恒切专心。

43 每个人[w]都起了敬畏之心。使徒们又行了很多奇事和神迹[x] 44 所有信了的人都在一起,凡物共有, 45 他们变卖财产和产业,按照各人的需要分给大家。 46 他们同心合意,不但天天恒切地在圣殿聚集[y],还在各家各户掰饼。他们怀着喜乐和诚恳的心用饭, 47 赞美神,并且得到全体民众的喜爱。主就在那里[z]使得救的人与日俱增[aa]

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行传 2:1 聚集——有古抄本作“同心合意地”。
  2. 使徒行传 2:1 聚集在一起——原文直译“同在一个地方”。
  3. 使徒行传 2:3 留——原文直译“坐落”。
  4. 使徒行传 2:4 语言——原文直译“舌头”;传统译法作“方言”;或译作“殊言”。
  5. 使徒行传 2:6 使徒们——原文直译“他们”。
  6. 使徒行传 2:7 说——有古抄本作“彼此说”。
  7. 使徒行传 2:15 九点——原文为“第三时刻”。
  8. 使徒行传 2:17 人身——原文直译“肉体”。
  9. 使徒行传 2:17 说预言——或译作“做先知传道”。
  10. 使徒行传 2:21 《约珥书》2:28-32。
  11. 使徒行传 2:23 有古抄本附“带走”。
  12. 使徒行传 2:28 道——或译作“路”。
  13. 使徒行传 2:28 《诗篇》16:8-11。
  14. 使徒行传 2:30 要从他的后裔中兴起一位——有古抄本作“要按肉身从他的后裔中兴起基督”。
  15. 使徒行传 2:31 他——有古抄本作“他的灵魂”。
  16. 使徒行传 2:31 《诗篇》16:10。
  17. 使徒行传 2:35 《诗篇》110:1。
  18. 使徒行传 2:38 受洗——或译作“受浸”。
  19. 使徒行传 2:40 扭曲的——或译作“弯曲的”或“不正直的”。
  20. 使徒行传 2:41 有古抄本附“高兴地”。
  21. 使徒行传 2:41 人——原文直译“灵魂”。
  22. 使徒行传 2:42 契合——或译作“沟通”或“分享”。
  23. 使徒行传 2:43 人——原文直译“灵魂”。
  24. 使徒行传 2:43 使徒们又行了很多奇事和神迹——原文直译“有很多奇事和神迹藉着使徒们发生了”。
  25. 使徒行传 2:46 聚集——辅助词语。
  26. 使徒行传 2:47 有古抄本没有“在那里”。
  27. 使徒行传 2:47 有古抄本附“给教会”。

Chapter 2

The Coming of the Spirit. [a]When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.(A) And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind,[b] and it filled the entire house in which they were.(B) Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,[c] which parted and came to rest on each one of them.(C) And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,[d] as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.(D)

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?(E) Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”(F) 12 They were all astounded and bewildered, and said to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others said, scoffing, “They have had too much new wine.”(G)

II. The Mission in Jerusalem

Peter’s Speech at Pentecost. 14 [e]Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘It will come to pass in the last days,’ God says,
    ‘that I will pour out a portion of my spirit
    upon all flesh.
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
    your young men shall see visions,
    your old men shall dream dreams.(H)
18 Indeed, upon my servants and my handmaids
    I will pour out a portion of my spirit in those days,
        and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will work wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below:
        blood, fire, and a cloud of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned to darkness,
    and the moon to blood,
        before the coming of the great and splendid day of the Lord,
21 and it shall be that everyone shall be saved who calls on the name of the Lord.’(I)

22 You who are Israelites, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.(J) 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.(K) 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.(L) 25 For David says of him:

‘I saw the Lord ever before me,(M)
    with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
    my flesh, too, will dwell in hope,
27 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
    nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.(N)
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

29 My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,(O) 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption.(P) 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses. 33 Exalted at the right hand of God,[f] he received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you [both] see and hear.(Q) 34 For David did not go up into heaven, but he himself said:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand(R)
35     until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

36 Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”(S)

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?”(T) 38 Peter [said] to them, “Repent and be baptized,[g] every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.(U) 39 For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”(V) 40 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”(W) 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.(X)

Communal Life.[h] 42 (Y)They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.(Z) 43 Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.(AA) 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common;(AB) 45 they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Footnotes

  1. 2:1–41 Luke’s pentecostal narrative consists of an introduction (Acts 2:1–13), a speech ascribed to Peter declaring the resurrection of Jesus and its messianic significance (Acts 2:14–36), and a favorable response from the audience (Acts 2:37–41). It is likely that the narrative telescopes events that took place over a period of time and on a less dramatic scale. The Twelve were not originally in a position to proclaim publicly the messianic office of Jesus without incurring immediate reprisal from those religious authorities in Jerusalem who had brought about Jesus’ death precisely to stem the rising tide in his favor.
  2. 2:2 There came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind: wind and spirit are associated in Jn 3:8. The sound of a great rush of wind would herald a new action of God in the history of salvation.
  3. 2:3 Tongues as of fire: see Ex 19:18 where fire symbolizes the presence of God to initiate the covenant on Sinai. Here the holy Spirit acts upon the apostles, preparing them to proclaim the new covenant with its unique gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).
  4. 2:4 To speak in different tongues: ecstatic prayer in praise of God, interpreted in Acts 2:6, 11 as speaking in foreign languages, symbolizing the worldwide mission of the church.
  5. 2:14–36 The first of six discourses in Acts (along with Acts 3:12–26; 4:8–12; 5:29–32; 10:34–43; 13:16–41) dealing with the resurrection of Jesus and its messianic import. Five of these are attributed to Peter, the final one to Paul. Modern scholars term these discourses in Acts the “kerygma,” the Greek word for proclamation (cf. 1 Cor 15:11).
  6. 2:33 At the right hand of God: or “by the right hand of God.”
  7. 2:38 Repent and be baptized: repentance is a positive concept, a change of mind and heart toward God reflected in the actual goodness of one’s life. It is in accord with the apostolic teaching derived from Jesus (Acts 2:42) and ultimately recorded in the four gospels. Luke presents baptism in Acts as the expected response to the apostolic preaching about Jesus and associates it with the conferring of the Spirit (Acts 1:5; 10:44–48; 11:16).
  8. 2:42–47 The first of three summary passages (along with Acts 4:32–37; 5:12–16) that outline, somewhat idyllically, the chief characteristics of the Jerusalem community: adherence to the teachings of the Twelve and the centering of its religious life in the eucharistic liturgy (Acts 2:42); a system of distribution of goods that led wealthier Christians to sell their possessions when the needs of the community’s poor required it (Acts 2:44 and the note on Acts 4:32–37); and continued attendance at the temple, since in this initial stage there was little or no thought of any dividing line between Christianity and Judaism (Acts 2:46).

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost(A) came, they were all together(B) in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.(C) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit(D) and began to speak in other tongues[a](E) as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing(F) Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed,(G) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(H) Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 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.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  2. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
  3. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
  4. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
  5. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)
  6. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1