Book of Acts of the Apostles

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024

Chapter 2 Overview

Acts Chapter 2 verse 1

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

Pentecost was first established in Leviticus 23:15-22.

Celebrated 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits. First Fruits (Leviticus 23:9-14) was held; then the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22) began which lasted over a period of seven weekly Sabbaths. When it ended then Pentecost occurred on the day after the Eighth Sabbath.  That is how the Fifty days was determined.

Luke is telling us that the day to celebrate Pentecost has finally arrived. This adds a little more story to the events of this chapter than what is usually taught.  Consider the amount of time that the men and women being talked about in this chapter have been “waiting”.  At the end of Luke 24:49; Jesus had told them to “tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”  How long were they waiting?

With the resurrection occurring at “first fruits” and Luke states in Acts 1:3 that Jesus had been seen of them for forty days.  There were about ten days from the ascension until the events in Acts 2.

This is in no way establishing a doctrine, it is only meant to make the reader dig deeper into what scripture tells you about the “environment / culture / atmosphere” taking place during the scripture being studied.  Picture the eleven disciples and the rest of the 120 gathered together as mentioned in chapter 1.

What were they doing for ten days?  They “elected” a replacement for Judas in chapter 1. Other than that, what else?

Here is a poor but fun example.  THIS IS NOT SCRIPTURAL. Imagine today holding a denominational national convention ten days after the “head of the organization” just “disappears”. 

The “top ranking eleven” members of the organization are apparently in charge. How are the next ten days spent? One hundred and twenty people getting along for all that time in one room? Preachers discussing “interpretations” of the teachings of the now gone leader.

NO!  It says that they (all 120) were with ONE ACCORD and were all in one place. Try to get that to happen today! With that understanding of the situation when chapter 2 begins, it now adds a new understanding to the outpouring of the Spirit.

Acts Chapter 2 verse 2

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

The sound was from Heaven.  Not created by man.  A rushing wind is sudden and moves through FAST.

Acts Chapter 2 verse 3

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

The tongues were like fire. John the Baptist had said in Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16 that “…he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”

“And there appeared…” – these were visible cloven tongues.

“cloven” is the Greek word “diamerizo” meaning to partition thoroughly, to divide or part

The tongues were divided but yet they were still all in one accord, there was no lack of harmony from one language spoken to the other language spoken.

Remember the tower of Babel when there was suddenly a multitude of different languages.  There was sudden chaos.  That did not happen here because this language was generated by God the Holy Spirit and there was perfect harmony in the message being uttered.

Acts Chapter 2 verse 4

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

Each one received the Gift and each one understood what they were hearing spoken from one another. This was not an exclusive outpouring of the Baptism because it states that “all” were filled. They also ONLY spoke what was directed by the Holy Spirit.  They did not speak something that they had prepared.

Acts Chapter 2 verse 5

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

Devout men.  Men who were serious regarding what it was that they believed. Men who would not be swayed to a false teaching.

Acts Chapter 2 verse 6

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

This “outpouring”, this speaking in tongues went on for a period of time.  Long enough for the word of what was happening to get “passed around” and for these “devout” men to come and for the multitude to gather.

Acts Chapter 2 verses 7-11

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, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

These 120 that are speaking in “unknown” tongues are Galilaeans.  They are natives to the local area and are now speaking the words of God in languages that are unknown to them. The Jews listening to them were from all directions on the global map. From the east in Mesopotamia to Asia to Egypt and Libya to Crete and Arabia. All hearing and understanding what was being spoken in the native language of home.

Acts Chapter 2 verses 12-15

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 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:  For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

They are said to have been drinking “new wine”.  The Greek word used is “gleukos”.  This is the ONLY time it is used in scripture. It is used to refer to sweet wine, but only the highly intoxicating kind. The word has been apparently used in medical writings and there are writings that state there were methods know to preserve the wine throughout the entire year for consumption.

Peter now gets up to speak (in his native language) and begins by reminding everyone that it is only the “third hour” (9:00 AM) of the day.

Acts Chapter 2 verses 16-18

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 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: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Peter now quotes the prophecy from Joel 2:28-29. Joel did prophesy the events recorded here in Acts chapter 2.

Acts Chapter 2 verses 19-21

And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Peter continues to quote from Joel using Joel 2:30-32 which is referring to the End Times. This verse from Joel is all the evidence that is needed to prove that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was NOT intended only for the disciples as is often taught today.

Joel states that in the “last days”.  Peter connected the event that occurred with the prophesy of Joel. Did the “last days” already occur in Peter’s time? No, therefore the Prophecy is not complete as of the date of this writing.

Acts Chapter 2 verses 22-24

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: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Peter begins by establishing that what they are witnessing is being built upon the foundation of the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

Acts Chapter 2 verses 25-28

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: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Establishing the connection to David using David’s own words in Psalms 16:8-11. This bond to their heritage was of the highest importance to the Jews.

Acts Chapter 2 verses 29-36

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

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

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

The words of David from Psalms 110:1.

Acts Chapter 2 verses 37-40

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?

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. 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.

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

What should we do? Peter lays out the SIMPLE process.  Repentance.  Salvation is required!  There is no debate.  Without salvation how can the Holy Spirit reside?

Then….be baptized in name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. The ONLY “baptism in the name of Jesus Christ” is the act of “Water Baptism”

Then you can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Once these happen, the soul becomes cleansed and ripe for the incoming dwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Acts Chapter 2 verse 41

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

Notice how easy it was. Those that “gladly received” found it so easy to experience. Those that did not are not even mentioned. Three thousand proved how easy it was to follow.  What did those 3000 do afterwards?

Acts Chapter 2 verses 42-47

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

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

What is the Perfect Church?  Acts 2 describes it. See the Bibles the Final Word blog article for more thoughts on that.

http://bibleswordfinal.blogspot.com/2021/05/acts-2-perfect-church.html