Filled with the Holy Spirit

Pentecost

Introduction

Please turn in your Bibles to Acts chapter 2. Let’s briefly be reminded of what has already taken place in the first chapter of Acts:

1. Luke & Acts 1:1-8 (verse 3) - Christ proclaimed the good news of an imminent kingdom throughout his ministry. And after he rose from the dead, he spoke to His disciples about “...things concerning the kingdom of God.”

2. Acts 1:9-11 - Christ then ascends from the Mount of Olives and receives the promised kingdom.

3. Acts 1:12-14 - The 11 disciples, in obedience to Christ’s commands (Acts 1:4-5), return to Jerusalem, enter the upper room, and continually devote themselves to prayer.

4. Acts 1:15-22 - Peter gives his first speech in the book. He cites Psalm 69:25 to prove that God had ordained what took place with Judas. And he quotes Psalm 109:8 to prove that they now needed to replace Judas (an exhortation to obey Scripture) - Peter’s citations along with the Mount of Olives, makes the Davidic connection clear: Christ has fulfilled the Davidic covenant.

5. Acts 1:23-26 - The disciples, based on the criteria of apostleship given by Peter, put forward two men, cast lots for them, the lot fell to Matthias, and he was added to the 11.  

6. We looked at all of these events in terms of fulfillment of the prophecy of Ezekiel, particularly chapter 37. We will see this even more clearly in our text today.

a. Christ has ascended to the throne from the Mount of Olives (Ezekiel 37:24 – David will be king)

b. They choose the 12th Apostle to symbolically reunite the 12 tribes of Israel (Ezekial 37:22 – I will make them one nation)

c. The only element lacking is the establishment of God’s presence among his people.

I have the following outline for chapter 2

Title: “...filled with the Holy Spirit...” (Acts 2:4a)

I. The Feast of Weeks (2:1-4)

II. Exiles Return (2:5-13)

III. Peter’s Interpretation (2:14-36)

IV. The First Church (2:37-47)

The Feast of Weeks (2:1-4)

And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues like fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled (Ezekiel 37:24) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.  

Have you ever waited for something? Have you had an expectation? Something you look forward to, that can’t quite come fast enough? Maybe it is for a birthday or a holiday (like Christmas). Maybe it’s waiting to go on that family trip or graduating from school. Or starting a new job or stopping an old job. There are many things that we look forward to.

Now, imagine that you know something exciting is going to happen, you just do not know when. We usually look forward to a coming event that we know. But, in the case of the now 12 Apostles, they were told to go to Jerusalem and wait. The Greek term translated “had fully come” in verse 1 is sumplēroō and means to be fulfilled. Another time it’s used in the NT is Luke 8:23, describing a boat being filled up with water. So, when the days were filled up; when the expected days came to an end, we find these disciples all together in one place. And suddenly...Their waiting ended.

Timeline:

· Christ is put to death on the Friday before the final Sabbath of Passover (Friday, March 29th, 2024).

· Passover ends and Christ rises from the dead on the first day of that week (Sunday, March 31st, 2024).

· He appears to the disciples over 40 days leading up to the Ascension (May 9th, 2024).

· The Disciples return to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit for 10 days leading up to the Feast of Weeks which was traditionally (per our Bible reading) 50 days (7 Sabbaths) after the final Sabbath of Passover. Or the first day following 7 complete Sabbaths. [1]       

R. C. Sproul says the following,

“The Passover is always celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month (corresponding to modern March–April) ...Associated with Passover is the presentation of the first ripe sheaf of grain (Lev. 23:4–14). On the day following the seventh Sabbath after that presentation (Lev. 23:15, 16) is the one-day “Feast of Weeks” (v. 10), called “Pentecost” in the NT because of this fifty-day (and seven-week) calculation.”[2]

 And this Jewish festival will continue to be noted (Acts 20:16, 1 Cor. 16:8). During the intertestamental period, the Jews began to associate this festival with Isarael’s arrival at Mt. Sinai 50 days after Passover, and Moses receiving the Torah. So the festivals were kept in that order: Passover, first fruits, feast of weeks, feast of booths.  

Noise, Wind, & Fire

Once you begin reading commentaries of the Scripture, it becomes clear that on some things it is very difficult for people to have a consensus. The allusions in this passage are one such thing. We see,

1. A noise from heaven

2. A violent rushing wind

3. Filling the whole house

4. Tongues of fire

What is the significance of this language? Some suggest it refers to theophanic appearances of God in the Old Testament, such as at Sinai (Exodus 19:18-20) or with Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13). Others believe that this is eschatological language, and they point to the prophetic fulfillment mentioned by Peter regarding the last days described in Joel 2:28-32. What comes to my mind when I read this text is Yahweh appearing at Sinai to give the Torah to Israel and the presence of Yahweh filling the Tabernacle in smoke and fire (Exodus 40:34-48). We have to take care when we draw connections, especially if the Biblical authors do not draw them explicitly. However, regardless of the allusions that may enrich the reading of this passage, most seem to believe that this outpouring of the Holy Spirit onto the individuals who were present in the house, is fulfilling God’s promise to establish His sanctuary among His people in Ezekiel 37:28.

Because of the association of this Feast of Weeks with Covenant Renewal and God giving His people the Law at Sinai, I view this as a typological fulfillment of this festival cycle. This is my opinion:

Christ is sacrificed as the Lamb of Passover, and 7 Sabbaths later, on the 50th day, the first day of the week, the Holy Spirit is poured out as the First Fruit of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14, Romans 8:23) which results in 3,000 souls being added to the church. The Sabbath Lamb is sacrificed, and after the days are accomplished leading to Pentecost, The Holy Spirit brings the first fruits of the New Covenant in 3,000 converts. Others have established this connection; however, the text does not make it explicit. It is, therefore, a matter of opinion. The commentator, Keener (who wrote an extensive 4-volume commentary on Acts), points out that Luke fails to “...develop or emphasize...” any “...fertile connections with Jewish Pentecost traditions...”[3]

But it is of interest that the Feast of Booths, celebrated directly after the Feast of Weeks, is a remembrance of God dwelling with His people in tents in the wilderness. So, you can see the entire cycle:

1. Passover = Crucifixion

2. Weeks = Pentecost

3. Booths = God’s Presence

Exiles Return (2:5-13)

“Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven (Ezekiel 37:21). And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. So they were astounded and marveling, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language in which we were born? “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia (East), Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia (North), Egypt and the district of Libya around Cyrene (South), and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans (West) and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” And they all continued in astonishment and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others, mocking, were saying, “They are full of new wine.”

Luke shows us the Jews returned to Jerusalem from the four corners of the earth and the text says, “from every nation under heaven” in verse 5 (see colors above). Now read Ezekiel 37:21,

“And speak to them, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land...” (Ezekiel 37:21)

The King of the New Jerusalem was established with the exaltation of Christ, the foundation of the New Jerusalem was completed with the choosing of Matthias, the house was filled with the presence of God at the coming of Pentecost on the first day of the week, and now the exiles of Israel are about to be addressed.

Some that were present mocked. Sproul says that these had set themselves against God and were not hearing the Word of God proclaimed in their language, but they were hearing gibberish, which is why they thought they were drunk (1 Corinthians 14:23).

Many Biblical scholars see this as a reversal of Babel. The word translated as “bewildered” is συνῆλθε (syncheo) which is the same Greek word that the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament uses in Genesis 11:9 to describe what God did to the languages at Babel,

“Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of the whole earth; and from there Yahweh scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”

 The opposite is happening here: the people are now coming together rather than scattered; they understand the language, but they are confused regarding the meaning. What does this all mean?  And Peter is now empowered to give an answer.

Peter’s Interpretation (2:14-36)

“But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven (Ezekiel 37:19), raised his voice and declared to them:” (Acts 2:14a)

I don’t think the significance of there being 12 of them would have been lost on the crowd. There are 12 Apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14) who are the foundation of the wall of the New Jerusalem. And the first stones of this new house are about to be laid on that foundation. Israel has been reunited,  

‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.”’ (Ezekeil 37:19)

Peter gives his explanation of these things in verses 14-36. I have his sermon outlined as follows:

1. The Scripture Fulfilled (2:14b-21)

2. The Resurrection of the Greater David (2:22-32)

3. The Fruit of Victory (2:33-35)

4. The Concluding Accusation (2:36)

The Scripture Fulfilled (2:14b-21)

“Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; EVEN ON MY MALE SLAVES AND FEMALE SLAVES, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR OUT MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy. ‘AND I WILL PUT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. ‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND AWESOME DAY OF THE LORD COMES. ‘AND IT WILL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’ (Joel 2:28-32)

As we saw in Peter’s first speech, he is once again pointing the people to the Scriptural precedent for what they were experiencing. In Acts 1, he was explaining what happened with Judas through prophecy. Here he is explaining what the significance of these happenings were through prophecy. The point is the same: The Scripture had to be fulfilled.

There is much discussion and debate over the exact meaning of this section of Peter’s speech, particularly the “wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. ‘The Sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” Some believe that this happened during the crucifixion; others say that it was ultimately fulfilled during the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. Josephus records accounts of strange signs and wonders in the sky during that event.

My opinion is that in telling these Jews about the significance of the signs that they are currently witnessing, Peter is telling them that they are in the midst of Scriptural fulfillment which will culminate in “the great and awesome Day of the Lord...” In other words, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved; be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of your sins. So, to answer the immediate question of Peter’s meaning and when this is fulfilled, I think that this is in reference to AD 70 ultimately. That the period from Pentecost until AD 70 (roughly 40 years) was the period that God had established for the witness particularly to the Jews. And that they were being reminded, as Christ said, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished (Matthew 24:34). So repent.

He then moves to his next point. He just explained that they are in the midst of prophetic fulfillment of the Day of the Lord. So naturally, they would be wondering about the Davidic Covenant. Wasn’t one of David’s seed supposed to be reigning over the reunified Israel forever? So, Peter explains:  

The Resurrection of the Greater David (2:22-32)

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God [Acts 1 – Peter again points to God’s plan], you nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men and put Him to death. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. “For David says of Him, ‘I SAW THE LORD CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME; BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN. ‘THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE; BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT FORSAKE MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR GIVE YOUR HOLY ONE OVER TO SEE CORRUPTION. ‘YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.’ (Psalm 16:8-11) “Men, brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SET one OF THE FRUIT OF HIS BODY ON HIS THRONE, (Psalm 132:11)he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER FORSAKEN TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SEE CORRUPTION. “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.”

 His argument goes like this:

Jesus was certified by God through miracles, you killed Him, but this was God’s plan all along. Psalm 16 was expecting the Christ to be placed in the grave. With the expectation of rising again. And we know it is not talking about David because he is dead and buried still. So, David was speaking about the Messiah which would be from his seed as it says in Psalm 132. And Jesus fulfilled this since he rose from the dead, He did not remain in the grave. And the twelve of us are witnesses.

The Fruit of Victory (2:33-35)

“Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you both see and hear. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says: ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES AS A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.” ’(Psalm 110:1)

This should remind us of Luke 20:41-44 when Christ was questioning the Pharisees,

‘Then He said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? “For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES AS A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.” ’ “Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ so how is He his son?”’

His argument continues:

Jesus not only rose from the dead but was exalted to the right hand of God and has poured out the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of the prophecies of Joel and Ezekiel. He then quotes Psalm 110:1 to prove that David, speaking about Christ, prophesied that Jesus would be exalted to the right hand of God. And, I think, Peter was also reminding these very Jews who crucified Jesus, that Jesus told them who He was. They did not listen. They have Moses and the Prophets, but they did not listen to them (Luke 16:29).

And he closes his sermon with a zinger.  

The Concluding Accusation (2:36)

“Therefore let all the house of Israel (Ezekiel 36:10, 37:11) know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus (Ezekiel 37:24) whom you crucified.”

The house of Israel is similar language to that used in Ezekiel 36 and 37. The prophet was also addressing “the house of Israel.” And here Peter states that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one, or the Messiah. As well as Lord: He is the Davidic King who is sitting at the right hand of God the Father. And you crucified Him.

Have you ever experienced conviction? There may be times when we have a better sense of our guilt. We recognize that we did something wrong. We look back with embarrassment and say, “how could I have been so stupid?” We realize that a just judge would slam down the gavel and say guilty! You are convicted of...fill in the blank. This is the effect that Peter’s sermon had on this group of Jews.

The First Church (2:37-47)

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart (Zechariah 12:10), and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men, brothers, what should we do?”

Can you imagine being these Jews? Imagine maybe even being one that questioned Jesus. All the words and parables come rushing back to you in that moment. Particularly the parable about the wicked stewards in Luke 20:9-18. Just a few short verses prior to asking the pharisees about Psalm 110:1. Remember? The owner sends servant after servant to the wicked stewards, and they mistreat all of them. He finally sends his son, saying, surely, they will listen to him. But the wicked stewards only set themselves to more wickedness, thinking that they will be able to keep the vineyard if they kill the son. They enact their plan only to then experience the wrath of the Father. The very wrath that Peter was alluding to back in verse 21. And, it says in the parable that the vineyard would then be given to others.

“When they heard this, they said, “May it never be!” But when Jesus looked at them, He said, “What then is this that is written: ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNER stone’? (Psalm 118:22) “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” (Luke 20:9-18)

I think that Peter, in quoting Psalm 110:1, is reminding these Jews that Jesus Christ told them that He would be rejected of men, and through that rejection He would be the chief corner stone. He already said earlier that Christ was “delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.” God turned their wickedness into salvation for the world. This is what Paul says in Romans 11,

“I say then, did they stumble so as to fall? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.” (Romans 11:11)

They realized that they had sinned; they were guilty before Almighty God. They needed to repent.

The Gospel of Repentance (2:38-40)

And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly bore witness and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this crooked generation!”

Here we see the beginning of the first church. Now, we believe that the church has existed all the way back into the Garden of Eden where God had true worshippers who worshipped Him in Spirit and in Truth. However, this is the eschatological fulfillment of the fuller promise of God to bless the nations through Abraham’s seed. Peter is telling these Jews that they needed to repent just like everyone else. They needed to be baptized just like the Gentile converts. They are wicked and condemned just like the heathen that they despise. So repent and submit to the baptism of repentance in the name of the Lord and Christ, Jesus.

I hope the application is not lost on you. How often do we look down our nose at others who maybe do not have the right doctrine or practice? Do we despise them and neglect our own condemnation and repentance?  May it never be! We are all in the same boat. We all need to repent and be forgiven in the name of Christ. Our doctrine, our practice, our knowledge, they are nothing but filthy rags in comparison to the righteous standard required by God. Despite all our striving for sanctification, we will still never have anything to present to God that is redeemable of ourselves. Anything we have to offer is a result of Christ imputed righteousness and the Holy Spirit’s active involvement in our crucifixion of our flesh. So, repent of your self-righteous attitudes and look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He alone will bring us to glory. Not any works of righteousness which we have done.

Do you identify with these Jews? I do! I believe that I would have been right there next to Saul keeping the coats while the crazy heretic is stoned. I would have been trying to come up with questions to trick this blasphemous hick from Galilee who likes to question our religious authority. And after being pierced to my heart with the realization that I was hating the Son of God, remembering all the ways He had actually loved me and revealed Himself to me, I would have with them cried out, “What should I do?!” And to hear those wonderful words: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus: For the promise is for you and your children! God is so gracious and good! Instead of coming immediately to kill those wicked stewards, he sent more prophets to tell the people that the dead son had risen again and made a way for them to be right with the Father forever. Praise be to God!

The Ordinary Means of Grace (2:41-42)

“So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.”

The bricks laid on the new foundation, of which Christ is the chief cornerstone. The first fruits during the festival of weeks. And what where they doing? They were devoting themselves (hence our word devotions):

1. Baptism

2. Teaching

3. Fellowship

4. Breaking of bread

5. Prayer

In other words, the ordinary means of grace. Those activities that God ordinarily uses to bring about a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The teaching of the Scriptures (or, synonymously, the teaching of the Apostles), fellowship with the body of Christ, breaking of bread (which most believe is referencing the Lord’s Supper, wherein He broke bread), and prayer. And notice the ordering: Baptized disciples are taught just as Christ commanded in the Great Commission: Go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach to observe my commandments (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Communion of Saints (2:43-47)

And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were dividing them up with all, as anyone might have need. And daily devoting themselves with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

Just a few comments on this passage.

1. There are many such summary passages in Acts and Schreiner has an interesting way of using them to organize the text. So, I am not going to demonstrate that today; however, when you are reading Acts, take note when these summaries arrive because something notable has just finished.

2. They are selling their property. Why? Not for the pietistic reasons we were all taught. They were obeying what Peter just said. There are about to be end times in Jerusalem. The Sun will be dark, and the moon will be blood and this generation will not pass away until this is accomplished. There is no reason to have land or property in Jerusalem. So, they were selling it. This is not a verse which advocates Christian communism. We know that the eighth commandment (Thou shalt not steal) presupposes private property. So that does not make sense.

3. They were going from house to house. The presence of God in the church is no longer in the Temple which will become a place of conflict, but is among Christ’s body, the church.

Conclusion

We saw the presence of God rest upon those first disciples after the foundation was completed with the choosing of Matthias. The returned exiles hear the Word of God in their own languages and are brought together. Jesus Christ is presented to them as He was prophesied in the Scripture. They are convicted of their sin, they repent, are baptized in the name of Jesus, engage continually in the means of grace, and begin to prepare for the end of the age.

Let’s pray and then sing our doxology.   

[1]See Lexham Bible Dictionary on Pentecost.

[2]R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 276. 

[3]Craig S. Keener, Acts: An Exegetical Commentary & 2: Introduction and 1:1–14:28, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012–2013), 789.