Acts 2:1-13

The second chapter of Acts introduces three keys to the book of Acts:

Three Keys to the Book of Acts

1. The filling of the Holy Spirit ()

2. The evangelistic efforts of the church ()

3. The community life of the believers ()

Tonight, we are going to be looking at the first one: the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1–13 CSB

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”

1. The fulfillment of Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit took place during the Jewish harvest festival of Pentecost. ()

Acts 2:1 CSB

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.

Pentecost is 50 in the Greek language.

a. Pentecost took place 50 days after Passover.

b. It was one of three Jewish festivals where they would present gifts and offerings before the Lord.

c. It celebrated the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest.

We don’t know the house in which the followers of Jesus were and we don’t know who is the “all” that were there when the Holy Spirit descended. Most likely it is the 120 people from chapter one.

2. Wind and fire accompanied the Holy Spirit arrival. ()

Acts 2:2–4 CSB

2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:2–3 CSB

2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them.

These are common biblical symbols for the activity of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for “spirit” can also mean “wind and breath”. Wind is not seen, but the effect of the wind is what is seen.

These are common biblical symbols for the activity of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for “spirit” can also mean “wind and breath”. Wind is not seen, but the effect of the wind is what is seen.

These are common biblical symbols for the activity of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for “spirit” can also mean “wind and breath”. Wind is not seen, but the effect of the wind is what is seen.

a. Wind is a symbol of regeneration.

- making something alive that wasn’t previously alive - like in the valley of dry bones in .

making something alive that wasn’t previously alive - like in the valley of dry bones in .

b. Fire is a symbol of God’s presence.

Remember the burning bush and the pillar of fire

c. Wind and fire symbols are of judgment.

Wind blows away the chaff and fire burns up the chaff.

d. The coming of the Holy Spirit meant life for some and judgment for others.

We will see this is detail in the account of Ananias and Sapphira.

e. The tongues of fire came to rest on each of them suggesting the inauguration of a new covenant established with the individual.

The old covenant was with the nation of Israel as a whole. The divine presence was with the nation of Israel and would come upon many of its leaders at special time for special purposes. Under the new covenant, established by Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit now rests on each believer individually. Our community relationship with God grows from our personal relationship with God. The new covenant, as predicted in , is written on our hearts.

Jeremiah 31:33 CSB

33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Pentecost made a relationship with God a personal experience, rather than simply a corporate one.

3. The effect of the presence of the Holy Spirt was two-fold: filling and speaking in other tongues. ()

Acts 2:4 CSB

4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

We will notice that these tongues in which they were speaking were known tongues because the people understood what was being said later in this chapter. ()

a. The filling of the Holy Spirit and the speaking in tongues was to facilitate the spread of the gospel message.

4. The message of gospel was spread to Jewish people residing in many places. ()

Acts 2:5–11 CSB

5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.”

a. They heard the message in their own language.

This is a reversal of the tower of Babel. It broke down barriers.

b. They were amazed because “Galileans” were the speakers.

Galilee was regarded as a backward locale. They were the rednecks of the Jewish world. They were low-class, blue-collar people. They were not highly educated. Once again, God is breaking the stereotypes. God is using the weak things of the world to confound the wise. The ones leading a historic event were not held in societies high esteem.

5. Two reactions to the message and the messengers. ()

Acts 2:12–13 CSB

12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”

a. Some wanted to know more.

b. Some rejected the message and ridiculed what was being said.

They are just a bunch of drunks. It is amazing that in the face of an amazing miracle, some mock what they saw and experienced.

Pentecost brought a new power to believers for ministry. The Holy Spirit presence and indwelling gave the power to boldly proclaim the magnificent acts of God.

The NIV Application Commentary: Acts Contemporary Significance

Is speaking in tongues valid for today? Some answer this with a firm “No,” based on Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 13:8–10: “But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away … but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” Many of them claim that tongues ceased with the close of the apostolic age25 or with the completion of the canon of Scripture.26Numerous scholars have countered the arguments for this “cessationist” view.27 In my estimation, the strongest case can be made for the view that the “perfection” that will make tongues and prophecy unnecessary will be achieved when Christ returns. Tongues has not disappeared from the church after the apostolic age. Note the conclusion of church historian Cecil M. Robeck Jr.: “Speaking in tongues has always been in the Church, although with varied levels of expression and acceptance.”28