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On Pentecost The Spirit Empowers Them To Speak To The Crowd In Their Native Languages

And during the day of Pentecost being fulfilled, they were all together at the same place. And suddenly a noise from heaven like of a violent rushing wind took place, and filled the whole house where they were sitting. And dividing[a] tongues as-if of fire appeared to them. And it sat on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues[b] as the Spirit was giving[c] the uttering[d] to them. Now there were Jews dwelling in Jerusalem, reverent men from every nation under heaven. And this sound having taken place, the crowd came together and was confounded[e] because they were each one hearing them speaking in his own language! And they were astonished, and were marveling, saying “Behold, are not all these ones speaking Galileans? And how is it we are each one hearing in our own language in which we were born?— Parthians and Medes and Elamites; and the ones dwelling-in Mesopotamia, and Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 and Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya toward Cyrene; and the Romans residing here; 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs; we are hearing them speaking the great[f] things of God in our own tongues”. 12 And they were all astonished and greatly-perplexed, saying one to another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others, while scoffing[g], were saying that “They have been filled with sweet-new-wine”.

Peter Declares To The Crowd That This Event Is God Pouring Out His Promised Spirit

14 And Peter, having stood with the eleven, raised his voice and declared[h] to them, “Men, Jews, and all the ones dwelling-in Jerusalem: let this be known to you, and pay-attention-to my words. 15 For these ones are not drunk, as you are assuming[i]. For it is the third[j] hour of the day. 16 But this is the thing having been spoken through the prophet Joel [in Joel 2:28-32]: 17 ‘And it shall be in the last days, God says, that I will pour-out from[k] My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your older men will dream with dreams. 18 And[l] indeed upon My male-slaves and upon My female-slaves I will pour-out from My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 And I will give wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth below— blood, and fire and a vapor of smoke. 20 The sun will be changed into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious[m] day of the Lord comes. 21 And it shall be that everyone who calls-upon the name of the Lord will be saved’.

Listen Everyone: You Killed Jesus The Nazarene, But God Raised Him From The Dead

22 “Men, Israelites, listen-to these words: As to Jesus the Nazarene, a man having been attested by God to you with[n] miracles and wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this One, given-over[o] by the determined[p] purpose[q] and foreknowledge of God, you killed, having fastened[r] Him to a cross by the hand of Lawless ones, 24 Whom God raised-up, having put-an-end-to[s] the pains[t] of death, because it was not possible that He be held-on-to by it.

David Predicted This. And Jesus Poured Out What You Both See And Hear

25 “For David says with reference to Him [in Ps 16:8-11], ‘I was seeing the Lord in my presence continually, because He is on my right side so that I may not be shaken. 26 For this reason my heart was cheered and my tongue rejoiced-greatly. And furthermore, my flesh will also dwell in hope, 27 because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor give[u] Your holy One to see[v] decay. 28 You made the ways of life known to me. You will make me full of gladness with Your presence’. 29 Men, brothers, it is proper to say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both came-to-an-end[w] and was buried. And his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God swore to him with an oath to seat One from the fruit of his loins upon his throne, 31 having foreseen it, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ— that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh see decay. 32 God raised up this Jesus, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He poured-out this which you are both seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not go up into the heavens, but he himself says [in Ps 110:1], ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Be sitting on My right side 35 until I put Your enemies as a footstool of Your feet”’.

Therefore, Let All Israel Know That God Made Jesus Both Lord And Messiah

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with-certainty that God made Him both Lord and Christ— this Jesus Whom you crucified”.

Peter Urges The Crowd To Repent And Be Baptized. About 3,000 Respond

37 And having heard it, they were pierced in the heart, and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Men, brothers, what should we do?” 38 And Peter says to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized on-the-basis-of [x] the name 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 the ones far-away— all-whom the Lord our God will call-to Himself ”. 40 And he solemnly-testified with many other words, and was exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this crooked generation”. 41 So indeed, the ones having welcomed[y] his word were baptized. And about three-thousand souls were added on that day.

Life In The First Church: The Apostles Teach and Do Miracles, Believers Learn And Love

42 Now they were devoting-themselves[z] to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking[aa] of the bread and to prayers. 43 And awe was taking place in every soul. And many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all the ones believing were at the same[ab] place, and were having all things common. 45 And they were selling properties and possessions, and distributing them to all— as anyone was having a need. 46 And while continuing daily with-one-accord in the temple and breaking bread[ac] house by house, they were sharing-in food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 while praising God and having favor with the whole people. And the Lord was adding the ones being saved daily at-the-same-place.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:3 That is, dividing up to the people; or, divided, split, cloven, in appearance.
  2. Acts 2:4 That is, other languages than Hebrew (Aramaic), as described next.
  3. Acts 2:4 Or, giving it to them to be uttering.
  4. Acts 2:4 Or, speaking out, declaring.
  5. Acts 2:6 Or, bewildered.
  6. Acts 2:11 Or, magnificent, mighty, grand.
  7. Acts 2:13 Or, sneering, mocking.
  8. Acts 2:14 Or, uttered, as in v 4.
  9. Acts 2:15 Or, supposing.
  10. Acts 2:15 That is, 9 a.m.
  11. Acts 2:17 That is, manifestations from, as described next.
  12. Acts 2:18 Or, Even.
  13. Acts 2:20 Or, remarkable, notable, renowned, famous.
  14. Acts 2:22 Or, by.
  15. Acts 2:23 Or, delivered-up.
  16. Acts 2:23 Or, decided, appointed.
  17. Acts 2:23 Or, plan.
  18. Acts 2:23 Or, affixed.
  19. Acts 2:24 Or, annulled, brought to an end, broken (the authority of).
  20. Acts 2:24 Or, birth-pains.
  21. Acts 2:27 That is, permit.
  22. Acts 2:27 That is, experience.
  23. Acts 2:29 That is, died.
  24. Acts 2:38 Or, in-reference-to, by-use-of, for.
  25. Acts 2:41 Or, received, accepted.
  26. Acts 2:42 Or, continuing in, busying-themselves with, attending to.
  27. Acts 2:42 That is, eating together; or, the Lord’s Supper.
  28. Acts 2:44 Or, were together.
  29. Acts 2:46 That is, sharing meals, as defined next; or, eating the Lord’s Supper, in addition to that defined next.

Seven weeks had gone by since Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the Day of Pentecost had now arrived.[a] As the believers met together that day, suddenly there was a sound like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on their heads. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in languages they didn’t know,[b] for the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Many godly Jews were in Jerusalem that day for the religious celebrations, having arrived from many nations. And when they heard the roaring in the sky above the house, crowds came running to see what it was all about, and were stunned to hear their own languages being spoken by the disciples.

“How can this be?” they exclaimed. “For these men are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking all the native languages of the lands where we were born! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, men from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia Minor, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the Cyrene language areas of Libya, visitors from Rome—both Jews and Jewish converts— 11 Cretans, and Arabians. And we all hear these men telling in our own languages about the mighty miracles of God!”

12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.

13 But others in the crowd were mocking. “They’re drunk, that’s all!” they said.

14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen, all of you, visitors and residents of Jerusalem alike! 15 Some of you are saying these men are drunk! It isn’t true! It’s much too early for that! People don’t get drunk by 9:00 A.M.! 16 No! What you see this morning was predicted centuries ago by the prophet Joel— 17 ‘In the last days,’ God said, ‘I will pour out my Holy Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams. 18 Yes, the Holy Spirit shall come upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will cause strange demonstrations in the heavens and on the earth—blood and fire and clouds of smoke; 20 the sun shall turn black and the moon blood-red before that awesome Day of the Lord arrives. 21 But anyone who asks for mercy from the Lord shall have it and shall be saved.’

22 “O men of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing tremendous miracles through him, as you well know. 23 But God, following his prearranged plan, let you use the Roman government[c] to nail him to the cross and murder him. 24 Then God released him from the horrors of death and brought him back to life again, for death could not keep this man within its grip.

25 “King David quoted Jesus as saying:

‘I know the Lord is always with me. He is helping me. God’s mighty power supports me.

26 ‘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—

27 ‘You will not leave my soul in hell or let the body of your Holy Son decay.

28 ‘You will give me back my life and give me wonderful joy in your presence.’

29 “Dear brothers, think! David wasn’t referring to himself when he spoke these words I have quoted, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and knew God had promised with an unbreakable oath that one of David’s own descendants would be the Messiah and[d] sit on David’s throne. 31 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. 32 He was speaking of Jesus, and we all are witnesses that Jesus rose from the dead.

33 “And now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, next to God. And just as promised, the Father gave him the authority to send the Holy Spirit—with the results you are seeing and hearing today.

34 “No, David was not speaking of himself in these words of his I have quoted,[e] for he never ascended into the skies. Moreover, he further stated, ‘God spoke to my Lord, the Messiah, and said to him, Sit here in honor beside me 35 until I bring your enemies into complete subjection.’

36 “Therefore I clearly state to everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus you crucified to be the Lord, the Messiah!”

37 These words of Peter’s moved them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 And Peter replied, “Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit. 39 For Christ promised him 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!”

40 Then Peter preached a long sermon, telling about Jesus and strongly urging all his listeners to save themselves from the evils of their nation. 41 And those who believed Peter were baptized—about three thousand in all! 42 They joined with the other believers in regular attendance at the apostles’ teaching sessions and at the Communion services[f] and prayer meetings.

43 A deep sense of awe was on them all, and the apostles did many miracles.

44 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, 45 selling their possessions and dividing with those in need. 46 They worshiped together regularly at the Temple each day, met in small groups in homes for Communion, and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness, 47 praising God. The whole city was favorable to them, and each day God added to them all who were being saved.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:1 This annual celebration came fifty days after the Passover ceremonies, when Christ was crucified. See Leviticus 23:16.
  2. Acts 2:4 in languages they didn’t know, literally, “in other tongues.”
  3. Acts 2:23 the Roman government, literally, “men without the law”; see Romans 2:12.
  4. Acts 2:30 be the Messiah and, implied in v. 31.
  5. Acts 2:34 No, David was not speaking of himself in these words of his I have quoted, implied in v. 31.
  6. Acts 2:42 the Communion services, literally, “the breaking of bread,” i.e., “the Lord’s Supper.”

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