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The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

And when (A)the day of Pentecost [a]had fully come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing (B)wind, and it filled (C)the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues like fire [b](D)distributing themselves, and [c]they [d]rested on each one of them. And they were all (E)filled with the Holy Spirit and began to (F)speak with other [e]tongues, as the Spirit was giving them [f]utterance.

Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, (G)devout men from every nation under heaven. And when (H)this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own [g]language. (I)So they were astounded and marveling, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking (J)Galileans? And how is it that we each hear them in our own [h]language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and (K)Cappadocia, (L)Pontus and [i](M)Asia, 10 (N)Phrygia and (O)Pamphylia, Egypt and the district of Libya around (P)Cyrene, and [j](Q)visitors from Rome, both Jews and [k](R)proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And (S)they all continued in astonishment and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others, mocking, were saying, “(T)They are full of new wine.”

Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost

14 But Peter, [l]taking his stand with (U)the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, (V)for it is the [m]third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 (W)And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
That I will pour out My Spirit on all [n]mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams;
18 Even on My male slaves and female slaves,
I will in those days pour out My Spirit
And they shall prophesy.
19 And I will put wonders in the sky above
And signs on the earth below,
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood,
Before the great and awesome day of the [o]Lord comes.
21 And it will be that (X)everyone who calls on the name of the [p]Lord will be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: (Y)Jesus the Nazarene, (Z)a man [q]attested to you by God with [r]miracles and (AA)wonders and [s]signs which God did through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— 23 this Man, delivered over by the (AB)predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, (AC)you nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men and put Him to death. 24 [t]But (AD)God raised Him up again, putting an end to the [u]agony of death, since it (AE)was impossible for Him to be held [v]in its power. 25 For David says of Him,

(AF)I saw the [w]Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted;
Moreover my flesh also will live in hope;
27 Because You will not forsake my soul to (AG)Hades,
(AH)Nor give Your [x]Holy One over to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’

29 “Men, brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the (AI)patriarch David that he both (AJ)died and (AK)was buried, and (AL)his tomb is [y]with us to this day. 30 And so, because he was (AM)a prophet and knew that (AN)God had sworn to him with an oath to set one of the fruit [z]of his body on his throne, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the [aa]Christ, that (AO)He was neither forsaken to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus (AP)God raised up again, to which we are all (AQ)witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted [ab](AR)to the right hand of God, and (AS)having received from the Father (AT)the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has (AU)poured out this which you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says:

(AV)The [ac]Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at My right hand,
35 Until I put Your enemies as a footstool for Your feet.”’

36 Therefore let all the (AW)house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both (AX)Lord and [ad]Christ—this Jesus (AY)whom you crucified.”

About Three Thousand Souls Saved

37 Now when they heard this, they were [ae]pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men, brothers, (AZ)what should we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “(BA)Repent, and each of you be (BB)baptized in the name of Jesus Christ [af]for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For (BC)the promise is for you and your children and for all who are (BD)far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly (BE)bore witness and kept on exhorting them, saying, “[ag]Be saved from this (BF)crooked generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand (BG)souls. 42 And they were (BH)continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to (BI)the breaking of bread and (BJ)to the prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul; and many (BK)wonders and [ah]signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed [ai]were together and (BL)had all things in common; 45 and they (BM)began selling their property and possessions and were (BN)dividing them up with all, as anyone might have need. 46 (BO)And daily devoting themselves with one accord in the temple and (BP)breaking bread [aj]from house to house, they were taking their [ak]meals together with gladness and [al]sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and (BQ)having favor with all the people. And the Lord (BR)was adding [am]to their number daily (BS)those who were being saved.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:1 Lit was being fulfilled
  2. Acts 2:3 Or being distributed
  3. Acts 2:3 Lit it
  4. Acts 2:3 Or sat
  5. Acts 2:4 Or languages
  6. Acts 2:4 Or ability to speak out
  7. Acts 2:6 Or dialect
  8. Acts 2:8 Or dialect
  9. Acts 2:9 West coast province of Asia Minor
  10. Acts 2:10 Lit the sojourning Romans
  11. Acts 2:10 Gentile converts to Judaism
  12. Acts 2:14 Or being put forward as spokesman
  13. Acts 2:15 9 a.m.
  14. Acts 2:17 Lit flesh
  15. Acts 2:20 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Joel 2:31
  16. Acts 2:21 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Joel 2:32
  17. Acts 2:22 Or exhibited, accredited
  18. Acts 2:22 Or works of power
  19. Acts 2:22 Or attesting miracles
  20. Acts 2:24 Lit Whom God raised up
  21. Acts 2:24 Lit birth pains
  22. Acts 2:24 Lit by it
  23. Acts 2:25 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 16:8
  24. Acts 2:27 Or devout, pious
  25. Acts 2:29 Lit among
  26. Acts 2:30 Offspring; lit of his loins
  27. Acts 2:31 Messiah
  28. Acts 2:33 Or by
  29. Acts 2:34 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Ps 110:1
  30. Acts 2:36 Messiah
  31. Acts 2:37 Or wounded in conscience
  32. Acts 2:38 Or because of
  33. Acts 2:40 Or Escape
  34. Acts 2:43 Or attesting miracles
  35. Acts 2:44 One early ms omits were and and
  36. Acts 2:46 Or in the various private homes
  37. Acts 2:46 Lit food
  38. Acts 2:46 Or simplicity
  39. Acts 2:47 Lit together

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

I.— TESTIGOS EN JERUSALÉN (2,1—8,3)

Venida del Espíritu Santo

Al llegar el día de Pentecostés continuaban todos reunidos en el mismo sitio. De pronto, un estruendo que procedía del cielo y avanzaba como un huracán invadió la casa en que estaban congregados. Vieron luego una especie de lenguas de fuego que se repartían y se posaban sobre cada uno de ellos. El Espíritu Santo los llenó a todos, y en seguida se pusieron a hablar en distintos idiomas según el Espíritu Santo les concedía expresarse.

Se hallaban entonces hospedados en Jerusalén judíos devotos llegados de todas las regiones de la tierra, los cuales, al oír el estruendo, acudieron en masa y quedaron perplejos, pues cada uno oía hablar a los apóstoles en su idioma nativo. Tan estupefactos y maravillados estaban, que decían:

— ¿No son galileos todos los que están hablando? ¿Cómo es que cada uno de nosotros los oímos expresarse en nuestro propio idioma nativo? Entre nosotros hay partos, medos y elamitas; los hay que residen en Mesopotamia, en Judea y Capadocia, en el Ponto, en la provincia de Asia, 10 en Frigia y en Panfilia, en Egipto y en la región de Libia que limita con Cirene; hay visitantes romanos, 11 hay judíos y prosélitos, cretenses y árabes. Pues bien, todos y cada uno los oímos referir en nuestro propio idioma, las cosas portentosas de Dios.

12 Así que, llenos de estupefacción, se decían unos a otros con asombro:

— ¿Qué significa esto?

13 Otros, en cambio, se burlaban y decían que estaban borrachos.

Discurso de Pedro

14 Pedro entonces tomó la palabra y, en nombre propio y de sus once compañeros, les habló de esta manera:

— Judíos y todos los que residen en Jerusalén, presten atención a mis palabras a ver si les queda claro lo siguiente: 15 Estos no están borrachos como ustedes suponen pues sólo son las nueve de la mañana. 16 Lo que sucede es que se está cumpliendo lo anunciado por el profeta Joel:

17 En los últimos días, dice Dios,
concederé mi Espíritu a todo mortal:
los hijos y las hijas de ustedes
hablarán inspirados por mí;
sus jóvenes tendrán revelaciones
y sus ancianos
soñarán cosas extraordinarias.
18 A los que me sirven,
tanto hombres como mujeres,
otorgaré en aquellos días mi Espíritu,
y hablarán inspirados por mí.
19 Haré prodigios en el cielo
y milagros en la tierra:
sangre, fuego y vapor humeante.
20 Antes que llegue el día del Señor,
grande y glorioso,
el sol se convertirá en tinieblas
y la luna en sangre.
21 Y todo el que invoque al Señor,
obtendrá la salvación.

22 Escuchen esto, israelitas: Jesús de Nazaret fue el hombre a quien Dios avaló ante ustedes con los milagros, prodigios y señales que, como bien saben, Dios realizó entre ustedes a través de Jesús. 23 Dios lo entregó conforme a un plan proyectado y conocido de antemano, y ustedes, valiéndose de no creyentes, lo clavaron en una cruz y lo mataron. 24 Pero Dios lo ha resucitado, librándolo de las garras de la muerte. Y es que no era posible que la muerte dominase a aquel 25 a quien se refiere David cuando dice:

Sentía constantemente
al Señor junto a mí,
ya que está a mi lado
para impedir que caiga.
26 Por eso se alegra mi corazón,
canta gozosa mi lengua
y hasta mi cuerpo rebosa de esperanza.
27 Porque no me abandonarás al poder del abismo
ni permitirás que tu elegido se corrompa.
28 Me has enseñado el camino que conduce a la vida
y tu presencia me llenará de alegría.

29 Hermanos, voy a hablarles con franqueza: a nadie se le oculta que nuestro antepasado David murió y fue enterrado; es más, su tumba se conserva todavía entre nosotros. 30 Pero como era profeta y sabía que Dios le había prometido solemnemente que un descendiente de su misma sangre había de sucederle en el trono, 31 previó la resurrección del Mesías cuando anunció que ni lo abandonaría al poder del abismo ni su cuerpo se corrompería. 32 Pues bien, a este, que es Jesús, Dios lo ha resucitado, y todos nosotros somos testigos de ello. 33 El poder de Dios lo ha exaltado y él, habiendo recibido del Padre el Espíritu Santo prometido, lo ha repartido en abundancia, como ustedes están viendo y oyendo. 34 David no ascendió al cielo; sin embargo, dice:

Dijo el Señor a mi Señor:
“Siéntate a mi derecha
35 hasta que yo ponga a tus enemigos
por estrado de tus pies”.

36 Por consiguiente, sepa con seguridad todo Israel que Dios ha constituido Señor y Mesías a este mismo Jesús a quien ustedes han crucificado.

Los primeros convertidos

37 Estas palabras les llegaron hasta el fondo del corazón; así que dijeron a Pedro y a los demás apóstoles:

— ¿Qué debemos hacer, hermanos?

38 Pedro les contestó:

— Conviértanse y que cada uno de ustedes se bautice en el nombre de Jesucristo, a fin de obtener el perdón de sus pecados. Entonces recibirán, como don de Dios, el Espíritu Santo. 39 Porque la promesa les corresponde a ustedes y a sus hijos, e incluso a todos los extranjeros que reciban la llamada del Señor, nuestro Dios.

40 Con estas y otras muchas razones los instaba y animaba, diciendo:

— Pónganse a salvo de este mundo corrupto.

41 Los que aceptaron con agrado la invitación se bautizaron, y aquel día se unieron a los apóstoles alrededor de tres mil personas.

Vida de la primera comunidad cristiana

42 Todos se mantenían constantes a la hora de escuchar la enseñanza de los apóstoles, de compartir lo que tenían, de partir el pan* y de participar en la oración. 43 Todo el mundo estaba impresionado a la vista de los numerosos prodigios y señales realizados por los apóstoles. 44 En cuanto a los creyentes, vivían todos de mutuo acuerdo y todo lo compartían. 45 Hasta vendían las propiedades y bienes, y repartían el dinero entre todos según la necesidad de cada cual. 46 A diario acudían al Templo con constancia y en íntima armonía, en familia partían el pan y compartían juntos el alimento con sencillez y alegría sinceras. 47 Alababan a Dios, y toda la gente los miraba con simpatía. Por su parte, el Señor aumentaba cada día el grupo de los que estaban en camino de salvación.