Acts 2 Bible study

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The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2:1-26 The Coming of the Holy Spirit V1 - 4 2.1. Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

The Day of Pentecost was the celebration of the wheat harvest and was also known as the Day of Firstfruits. It came 50 days after the Passover (Lev. 23: 15 - 16), thus 50 days after the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. The followers of Jesus had kept His command and abided in Jerusalem to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

During this time they had continued to remain in one accord, of one mind and purpose and in harmony with each other. They were all gathered in the same place this was important for the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost descended to the place that God had appointed. It is important that we should be in the place that God wants us to be at a particular time also to be in a right relationship with Him and with one another. It was also important that all those present in this meeting were in harmony with each other. If there had been any division or wrong spirit or criticism and there could have been particularly among the twelve for had not Peter denied the Lord and they had all fled from Jesus at His arrest then it is questionable if the Holy Spirit could have come upon them. Those who were not present in the Upper Room did not receive the Holy Spirit at the same time as those who were.

2.2. Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Suddenly! Although they waited in expectancy for His coming they did not know exactly when it would be for Jesus had only said in not many days (1: 5) neither did they know how He would come but come He did. First of all he came like the sound of a rushing mighty wind a tornado not a wind but like the sound of a wind for if He had come as a mighty wind He would have destroyed like one. Wind suggests the mighty unseen power of the Spirit. The sound and the power filled the whole building.

2.3. And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them.

Then the Holy Spirit revealed Himself in the likeness of tongues of fire that were separated and distributed and settled on each one of them. Note they were not flames of fire that would burn but they looked like them. If the wind represents His power then the fire speaks of His holiness.

2.4. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

They were all filled according to the promise (John 14: 17) no one left that building unfilled. The initial evidence that they had received the Holy Spirit was that He gave them other tongues to speak with. They heard His coming the wind saw His coming fire and they each received a personal experience of His coming and abiding in them.

The Reaction of the People 5 - 13 2.5. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in Jerusalem.

At that time there were Jews who had been born and brought up in many different countries and who spoke many different languages staying in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. These were those who had continue in the religion and faith of their forefathers in spite of their exile devote men.

2.6. When this sound occurred, a crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

They heard the sound like a mighty rushing wind but could not feel or see the havoc that would be caused by such a wind and so they came rushing to where it had rested. When they arrived and heard the disciples speaking in their own languages this first of all confused and bewildered them.

2.7. Completely baffled, they said, "Aren't tall these who are speaking Galileans?

Then they were amazed how ordinary ignorant country folk could speak a language that they had not learned.

As they began to realize that this could be no other than a miracle of God they marveled at it.

2.8 - 11. And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!"

These verses give a list of all the countries and different languages that were represented and who witnessed this miracle. The proselytes were foreigners who were converted to the Jewish religion. What further amazed them was the fact that they heard these unschooled followers of Christ speaking about the greatness of God and His mighty acts.

2.12. All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"

All this puzzled them for they had never seen or heard anything like it before and although they tried to reason it out with their human mind they could find no answer for it.

2.13. But others jeered at the speakers, saying, "They are drunk on new wine!"

There were those who were earnest enquirers as to what this all meant but others just made fun of the disciples accusing them of being drunk. There are still those who criticize those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and make fun of them! Criticism is an attribute of the Devil for if you look carefully at the account of his conversation with Eve in the garden of Eden you will see that he was in fact not only questioning God’s authority but also criticizing Him.

Peter's Sermon (Part 1) 14 - 21 2.14. But Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: "You men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen carefully to what I say.

Peter takes a hold of the accusation and gives his first sermon in explanation of what was happening. The man who had denied his Lord who had hidden away in fear of the Jews is now enabled by the baptism of the Holy Spirit to stand up boldly with power and authority that is reflected in his voice to testify for his Lord and Saviour. He does not beat around the bush he has something to say and tells them to pay attention to it.

2.15. In spite of what you think, these men are not drunk, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning.

First of all he deals with the ridiculous accusation of the mockers. It was only nine o' clock in the morning and therefore it obviously could not be drunkenness. He must have had some grounds for saying this. At one time when alcoholic drink was only available from pubs and wine shops you would have said “the pubs are not open yet”.

2.16. But this is what was spoken about through the prophet Joel: He uses the Old Testament scriptures as a sound base for what had happened he stood upon the eternal word of God. What they were witnessing was a fulfilment of the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2: 28 - 32).

2.17 - 18. And in the last days it will be,' God says, 'that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

The fulfilment of this prophecy on the Day of Pentecost heralded the beginning of the last days that refers to the period of the church until the return of Christ (Heb. 1: 1 - 2). He will be poured out on all flesh that is on all those who have excepted Jesus Christ as Saviour no matter what age gender or social class they may be, in other words, without any distinction. All who are thirsting for Him will receive (Isaiah 44: 3). He brings and distributes gifts as He wills (1 Cor. 12: 8 -11). Only one gift is mention here and that is prophecy. The other two, visions for the young dreams for the old are given by the Holy Spirit but are not gifts. Peter then turns from the present to that which will happen in the end days just before the Lord returns.

2.19 - 20. And I will perform wonders in the sky above and miraculous signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will be changed to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

During these final days God will give signs and wonders that will appear in heaven and on earth that is extraordinary happenings, unusual manifestations and miraculous events. These will give warning that the Lord is on His way and that the Day of Judgment is at hand (Rev. 6: 12 - 17).

2.21. And then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Whoever shall turn to the Lord and call upon His Name will be saved that is, from spiritual death by forgiveness of sin and from wrath and judgement (1 Thess. 1: 10; Rom. 5: 9). © Derek Williams 2014 Bible Studies Online UK www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk You may copy, print or distribute our studies freely in any form, just so long as you make no charges. Sign up today for our FREE monthly Bible study magazine “Living Word” Scriptures taken from the NET Bible www.bible.org