Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.(A) Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind(B) came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.(C) They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled(D) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,[a] as the Spirit enabled them.(E)

Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation(F) under heaven. When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded and amazed, saying,[b] “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(G) How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,(H) 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts),(I) 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”(J)

Peter’s Sermon

14 Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning.[c] 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 And it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all people;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.(K)
18 I will even pour out my Spirit
on my servants in those days, both men and women
and they will prophesy.(L)
19 I will display wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below:
blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood(M)
before the great and glorious day of the Lord(N) comes.
21 Then everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.[d](O)

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know.(P) 23 Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used[e] lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him.(Q) 24 God raised him up, ending the pains of death,(R) because it was not possible for him to be held by death. 25 For David says of him:

I saw the Lord ever before me;
because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad
and my tongue rejoices.
Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me in Hades
or allow your holy one to see decay.(S)
28 You have revealed the paths of life to me;
you will fill me with gladness
in your presence.[f](T)

29 “Brothers and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.(U) 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants[g] on his throne.(V) 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He[h] was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay.[i](W)

32 “God has raised(X) this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. 33 Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God(Y) and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit,(Z) he has poured out(AA) what you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:

The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.’[j](AB)

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”(AC)

Call to Repentance

37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” (AD)

38 Peter replied, “Repent(AE) and be baptized,(AF) each of you, in the name(AG) of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off,(AH) as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt[k] generation!” (AI) 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

A Generous and Growing Church

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching,(AJ) to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.(AK)

43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.(AL) 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.(AM) 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,(AN) 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number[l] those who were being saved.(AO)

Footnotes

  1. 2:4 languages, also in v. 11
  2. 2:7 Other mss add to one another
  3. 2:15 Lit it’s the third hour of the day
  4. 2:17–21 Jl 2:28–32
  5. 2:23 Other mss read you have taken
  6. 2:25–28 Ps 16:8–11
  7. 2:30 Other mss add according to the flesh to raise up the Messiah
  8. 2:31 Other mss read His soul
  9. 2:31 Ps 16:10
  10. 2:34–35 Ps 110:1
  11. 2:40 Or crooked, or twisted
  12. 2:47 Other mss read to the church

五旬节圣灵降临

五旬节到了,他们都聚集在一起。 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。 又有火焰般的舌头显现出来,分别落在他们各人身上。 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。

那时住在耶路撒冷的,有从天下各国来的虔诚的犹太人。 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。 他们又惊讶、又惊奇,说:“你看,这些说话的,不都是加利利人吗? 我们各人怎么听见他们讲我们从小所用的本乡话呢? 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。

Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!” 12 They were all amazed and were perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day.[a] 16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God,
    that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.
Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
    Your young men will see visions.
    Your old men will dream dreams.
18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days,
    I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the sky above,
    and signs on the earth beneath:
    blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned into darkness,
    and the moon into blood,
    before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 It will be that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’(A)

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know, 23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; 24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

‘I saw the Lord always before my face,
    for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced.
    Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope,
27 because you will not leave my soul in Hades,[b]
    neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
28 You made known to me the ways of life.
    You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’(B)

29 “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was 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[c] to sit on his throne, 31 he foreseeing this, spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul wasn’t left in Hades,[d] and his flesh didn’t see decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand
35     until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’(C)

36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” 40 With many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.

Footnotes

  1. 2:15 about 9:00 a.m.
  2. 2:27 or, Hell
  3. 2:30 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.
  4. 2:31 or, Hell

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