Prophecy Physically Fulfilled

Introduction:

We must be cautious as we approach a section of scripture that remains filled with controversy.

The Restorationist movement of the 2nd Great Awakening left us with a focus on restoring authentic Christianity.

Many of today’s denominations came out of that movement, with one of the last being the Pentecostal movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

They had something correct, namely, the association with the last days, but they had the frame of reference wrong.

The last days have existed since, at least, the ascension of Jesus.

We await the Day of the Lord, but we live in the last days.

We must let the writer take us where we need to go rather than reacting to defend or support modern views.

We should particularly note that Luke constructed the text to accomplish two things:

To raise a question: Acts 2:12.

To answer the question: Peter’s address Acts 2:14ff.

Acts 1:4-5; 8.

Jesus commanded them wait.

He associated the Holy Spirit with power after which they would be his witnesses.

As a final reminder, Luke has, thus far, focused on the resurrection, the post-resurrection appearances, and the ascension as physical, historical events.

While he has emphasized the importance of the apostles, he has still presented them as facts of history rather than shared visions or spiritual experiences.

Continued Unity

Another point of symmetry is with congregational unity.

Not everything associated with the event was radical.

Luke describes the unity of the disciples, yet again.

Note both the “together” and the “upon the same thing.”

The latter echoes Acts 1:15.

Gathering under the instruction of the apostles has already been a practice of Jesus’ disciples.

Luke’s terminology may connote place or spirit of gathering.

Perhaps both are intended so that we should understand this to indicate both unity and place.

Pentecost: Pentecost is the New Testament name for the Feast of Weeks, when the wheat harvest was celebrated by a one-day festival during which special sacrifices were offered (Exod. 23:16; Lev. 23:15–21; Deut. 16:9–12).

This Greek name originated by the late 3rd or early 2nd century BC as reflected in Tobit 2:1.

It had special significance for Jews beyond the biblical meaning.

It was, perhaps, associated with Noah.

A Physical Fulfillment

What Luke describes hereafter occurs around three focal points:

Sound.

Visual appearance.

Speaking.

Luke uses an adverb, suddenly, to express the unexpected nature, or immediacy, of the event.

Jesus had only said, “not many days”.

He did not say, “on Pentecost.”

Kernel thoughts:

Sound from heaven came to be (suddenly).

It filled the whole house were they were staying.

Divided tongues were seen by them similar of fire.

Why the shift to the singular in part 2? We would anticipate for it to read: And they sat upon each one of them, but the number shifts to singular. So, does Luke substitute the appearance, which is expressed in the singular, “fire,” for the whole reference to the “tongues.”?

All were filled with the Holy Spirit.

They began to speak with other languages.

This accorded to the Spirit giving them to be speaking.