The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In the first book, O (A)Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began (B)to do and teach, until the day when (C)he was taken up, after he (D)had given commands (E)through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. (F)He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

And while staying[a] with them (G)he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for (H)John baptized with water, (I)but you will be baptized (J)with[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Ascension

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, (K)will you at this time (L)restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, (M)“It is not for you to know (N)times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive (O)power (P)when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and (Q)you will be (R)my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and (S)Samaria, and (T)to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, (U)he was lifted up, and (V)a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, (W)two (X)men stood by them in (Y)white robes, 11 and said, (Z)“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, (AA)will (AB)come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then (AC)they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to (AD)the upper room, where they were staying, (AE)Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon (AF)the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these (AG)with one accord (AH)were devoting themselves to prayer, together with (AI)the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and (AJ)his brothers.[c]

15 In those days Peter stood up among (AK)the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, (AL)the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, (AM)who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For (AN)he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in (AO)this ministry.” 18 (Now this man (AP)acquired a field with (AQ)the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong[d] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called (AR)in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

(AS)“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

(AT)“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during (AU)all the time that the Lord Jesus (AV)went in and out among us, 22 (AW)beginning from the baptism of John until the day when (AX)he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us (AY)a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called (AZ)Barsabbas, who was also called (BA)Justus, and (BB)Matthias. 24 And (BC)they prayed and said, “You, Lord, (BD)who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in (BE)this ministry and (BF)apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

When (BG)the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like (BH)a mighty rushing wind, and (BI)it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues (BJ)as of fire appeared to them and rested[e] on each one of them. And they were all (BK)filled with the Holy Spirit and began (BL)to speak in other tongues (BM)as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And (BN)at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And (BO)they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking (BP)Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and (BQ)Medes and (BR)Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and (BS)proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And (BT)all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others (BU)mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, (BV)since it is only the third hour of the day.[f] 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 (BW)“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
(BX)that I will pour out my Spirit (BY)on all flesh,
and your sons and (BZ)your daughters shall prophesy,
    and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and (CA)they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 (CB)the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before (CC)the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that (CD)everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, (CE)a man attested to you by God (CF)with (CG)mighty works and wonders and signs that (CH)God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,[g] (CI)delivered up according to (CJ)the definite plan and (CK)foreknowledge of God, (CL)you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 (CM)God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because (CN)it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

(CO)“‘I saw the Lord always before me,
    for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
    my flesh also will dwell (CP)in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to (CQ)Hades,
    (CR)or let your (CS)Holy One (CT)see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about (CU)the patriarch David (CV)that he both died and (CW)was buried, and (CX)his tomb is with us to this day. 30 (CY)Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that (CZ)God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that (DA)he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus (DB)God raised up, (DC)and of that we all are witnesses. 33 (DD)Being therefore (DE)exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from (DF)the Father (DG)the promise of the Holy Spirit, (DH)he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For (DI)David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

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

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that (DK)God has made him (DL)both Lord and Christ, this Jesus (DM)whom you crucified.”

37 Now when (DN)they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, (DO)what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, (DP)“Repent and (DQ)be baptized every one of you (DR)in the name of Jesus Christ (DS)for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive (DT)the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For (DU)the promise is for you and (DV)for your children and for all (DW)who are far off, everyone (DX)whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, (DY)“Save yourselves from this (DZ)crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and (EA)there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 And (EB)they devoted themselves to the apostles' (EC)teaching and the (ED)fellowship, to (EE)the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[h] came upon every soul, and (EF)many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and (EG)had all things in common. 45 And (EH)they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, (EI)attending the temple (EJ)together and (EK)breaking bread in their homes, they received their food (EL)with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and (EM)having favor with all the people. And the Lord (EN)added to their number (EO)day by day those who (EP)were being saved.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:4 Or eating
  2. Acts 1:5 Or in
  3. Acts 1:14 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verse 15
  4. Acts 1:18 Or swelling up
  5. Acts 2:3 Or And tongues as of fire appeared to them, distributed among them, and rested
  6. Acts 2:15 That is, 9 a.m.
  7. Acts 2:23 Greek this one
  8. Acts 2:43 Or fear

Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

In my former book,(A) Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach(B) until the day he was taken up to heaven,(C) after giving instructions(D) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles(E) he had chosen.(F) After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them(G) over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.(H) On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait(I) for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.(J) For John baptized with[a] water,(K) but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”(L)

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore(M) the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.(N) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;(O) and you will be my witnesses(P) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,(Q) and to the ends of the earth.”(R)

After he said this, he was taken up(S) before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white(T) stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”(U) they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back(V) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem(W) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,(X) a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room(Y) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.(Z) 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer,(AA) along with the women(AB) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.(AC)

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d](AD) the Scripture had to be fulfilled(AE) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,(AF) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number(AG) and shared in our ministry.”(AH)

18 (With the payment(AI) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;(AJ) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language(AK) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e](AL)

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f](AM)

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism(AN) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness(AO) with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed,(AP) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.(AQ) Show us(AR) which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.(AS)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost(AT) came, they were all together(AU) 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.(AV) 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(AW) and began to speak in other tongues[g](AX) as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing(AY) 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,(AZ) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(BA) Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,(BB) Pontus(BC) and Asia,[h](BD) 10 Phrygia(BE) and Pamphylia,(BF) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;(BG) 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.”(BH)

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!(BI) 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.(BJ)
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,(BK)
    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.(BL)
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,(BM)
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood(BN)
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord(BO) will be saved.’[i](BP)

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth(BQ) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,(BR) which God did among you through him,(BS) as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;(BT) and you, with the help of wicked men,[j] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.(BU) 24 But God raised him from the dead,(BV) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.(BW) 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.(BX)
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[k](BY)

29 “Fellow Israelites,(BZ) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch(CA) David died and was buried,(CB) and his tomb is here(CC) 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.(CD) 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.(CE) 32 God has raised this Jesus to life,(CF) and we are all witnesses(CG) of it. 33 Exalted(CH) to the right hand of God,(CI) he has received from the Father(CJ) the promised Holy Spirit(CK) and has poured out(CL) 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.”’[l](CM)

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord(CN) and Messiah.”(CO)

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?”(CP)

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,(CQ) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.(CR) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(CS) 39 The promise is for you and your children(CT) and for all who are far off(CU)—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.”(CV) 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number(CW) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching(CX) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread(CY) and to prayer.(CZ) 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.(DA) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(DB) 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.(DC) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.(DD) They broke bread(DE) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.(DF) And the Lord added to their number(DG) daily those who were being saved.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:5 Or in
  2. Acts 1:5 Or in
  3. Acts 1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer
  4. Acts 1:16 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 6:3; 11:29; 12:17; 16:40; 18:18, 27; 21:7, 17; 28:14, 15.
  5. Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
  6. Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8
  7. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  8. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
  9. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
  10. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
  11. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)
  12. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1