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) And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled(D) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.(E)

There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men 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. And they were astounded and amazed, saying,[a] “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(G) How is it that each of us can hear 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 proselytes,(I) 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking the magnificent acts of God in our own languages.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What could this be?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re full of new wine!”(J)

Peter’s Sermon

14 But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Men of Judah and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this[b] 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 humanity;
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 male and female slaves in those days,
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 remarkable Day of the Lord(N) comes.
21 Then everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.(O)[d]

22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out 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[f] 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 it. 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 was glad,
and my tongue rejoiced.
Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,
27 because You will not leave 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.(T)[g]

29 “Brothers, 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[h][i] on his throne.(V) 31 Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah:

He[j] was not left in Hades,
and His flesh did not experience decay.(W)[k]

32 “God has resurrected(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.’(AB)[l]

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)

Forgiveness through the Messiah

37 When they heard this, they came under deep conviction[m] and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?”(AD)

38 “Repent,”(AE) Peter said to them, “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,[n](AH) as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt[o] generation!”(AI)

A Generous and Growing Church

41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching,(AJ) to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.(AK)

43 Then fear came over everyone, 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 anyone had a need.[p] 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude,(AN) 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them[q] those who were being saved.(AO)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:7 Other mss add to one another
  2. Acts 2:14 Lit let this be known
  3. Acts 2:15 Lit it’s the third hour of the day
  4. Acts 2:21 Jl 2:28-32
  5. Acts 2:23 Other mss read you have taken
  6. Acts 2:23 Or used the hand of lawless ones
  7. Acts 2:28 Ps 16:8-11
  8. Acts 2:30 Other mss add according to the flesh to raise up the Messiah
  9. Acts 2:30 Lit one from the fruit of his loin
  10. Acts 2:31 Other mss read His soul
  11. Acts 2:31 Ps 16:10
  12. Acts 2:35 Ps 110:1
  13. Acts 2:37 Lit they were pierced to the heart
  14. Acts 2:39 For distant generations or perhaps Gentiles
  15. Acts 2:40 Or crooked, or twisted
  16. Acts 2:45 Or to all, according to one’s needs
  17. Acts 2:47 Other mss read to the church

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

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

When (A)the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like (B)a mighty rushing wind, and (C)it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues (D)as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. And they were all (E)filled with the Holy Spirit and began (F)to speak in other tongues (G)as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And (H)at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And (I)they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking (J)Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and (K)Medes and (L)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 (M)proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And (N)all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others (O)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, (P)since it is only the third hour of the day.[b] 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 (Q)“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
(R)that I will pour out my Spirit (S)on all flesh,
and your sons and (T)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 (U)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 (V)the sun shall be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood,
    before (W)the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that (X)everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, (Y)a man attested to you by God (Z)with (AA)mighty works and wonders and signs that (AB)God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,[c] (AC)delivered up according to (AD)the definite plan and (AE)foreknowledge of God, (AF)you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 (AG)God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because (AH)it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,

(AI)“‘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 (AJ)in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to (AK)Hades,
    (AL)or let your (AM)Holy One (AN)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 (AO)the patriarch David (AP)that he both died and (AQ)was buried, and (AR)his tomb is with us to this day. 30 (AS)Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that (AT)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 (AU)he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus (AV)God raised up, (AW)and of that we all are witnesses. 33 (AX)Being therefore (AY)exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from (AZ)the Father (BA)the promise of the Holy Spirit, (BB)he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For (BC)David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

(BD)“‘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 (BE)God has made him (BF)both Lord and Christ, this Jesus (BG)whom you crucified.”

37 Now when (BH)they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, (BI)what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, (BJ)“Repent and (BK)be baptized every one of you (BL)in the name of Jesus Christ (BM)for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive (BN)the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For (BO)the promise is for you and (BP)for your children and for all (BQ)who are far off, everyone (BR)whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, (BS)“Save yourselves from this (BT)crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and (BU)there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 And (BV)they devoted themselves to the apostles' (BW)teaching and the (BX)fellowship, to (BY)the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and (BZ)many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and (CA)had all things in common. 45 And (CB)they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, (CC)attending the temple (CD)together and (CE)breaking bread in their homes, they received their food (CF)with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and (CG)having favor with all the people. And the Lord (CH)added to their number (CI)day by day those who (CJ)were being saved.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:3 Or And tongues as of fire appeared to them, distributed among them, and rested
  2. Acts 2:15 That is, 9 a.m.
  3. Acts 2:23 Greek this one
  4. Acts 2:43 Or fear