The Book of Acts - Chapter 1:15-26

The Birth of Church (1-42).

In the first part of this narrative 2:1-13), we see two divisions.

The Event: The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus Christ. (2:1-4)

The Evidence: That the Holy Spirit has actually come. (2:5-13)

The Event

Acts 2:1 KJV 1900

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

The Day of Pentecost has “fully” come!

This in fact is a significant shift in Luke’s writing the book!

Until now, Luke said that Jesus has promised that He would send the “Comforter.” Now, according to Luke in 2:1-5, that promise has been fulfilled!

The tenth day after ascension of Jesus Christ confirms the 50th day - the Pentecost.

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible Pentecost

PENTECOST

The Greek name (meaning “50th”) for the Israelite Feast of Weeks which celebrated the spring harvest. This feast took place 50 days after the offering of the sheaf of firstfruits at the time of Passover and Unleavened Bread (cf. Lev. 23:9–14). In later Judaism, the festival became associated with the giving of the law and the making of the covenant at Sinai. In Christian history, the day of Pentecost is associated specifically with the descent of the Spirit on the believing community in Jerusalem (Acts 2). At this time, the community began to proclaim the good news of God’s activity in the languages of all the nations of the world (Acts 2:1–13).

Acts 2:2 KJV 1900

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

Notice a few things here:

They were all gathered in one place (2:1)

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven.

Heaven - a term used around 4 times in chapter 1 as a “now” place of Jesus Christ. Acts 1:10-11

Acts 1:10–11 KJV 1900

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The Holy Spirit came rushing like a wind, but the Holy Spirit is not a wind. Luke was only comparing the event.

This is a supernatural work. When God comes down to meet His people, such magnitude of work must happen.

The other places where such an event happened was in Exodus 19:16-18.

The church age was introduced by a loud noise as was the law (Ex. 19:9-25). In the temple the Holy Spirit appeared and sat upon each of them as cloven tongues as of fire (v. 3).

The Evidence

Acts 2:5–6 KJV 1900

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

So, when these people heard the noice, they all came together, and were confused, or amazed that they were hearing what was said in their own language! And so they say, aren’t these the Galileans? The Galileans are not multilingual.

V.8 tells us that they were even more amazed.

V. 9-11 gives the list of nations.

We should not these list of nations carefully.

Acts 2:9–11 KJV 1900

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.

What do we learn from this part?

The gift of the Holy Spirit (2:1-4)

The response of the unbelieving world (vv.5-13).

Those who were there in the room, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in tongues - known tongues.

Filled with the Holy Spirit means, being added to the Body of Christ - to become part of Christ Jesus.

However, there were those that did not believe.

The outsiders saw and heard the amazing, supernatural event. But they also belittled the event.

Peter’s Speech (Acts 2:14-40).

Peter’s message starts a new section in this narrative.

The Appeal to Israel

In vv. 14-21, Peter address the phenomenon - the supernatural thing that happened; that is, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In vv. 22-35, Peter declares that Jesus Christ is the Lord! He also declares Christ as Lord (vv. 22-24)

Peter provides Scriptural support (vv. 25-32)

Then Peter summarizes the event and the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (vv. 33-35).

Acts 2:36, is the ultimate point that Peter was making - that is - Jesus Christ is BOTH LORD and the MESSIAH!

Peter, in these verses makes an appeal to the listeners, to the audience, to the Israelites. What was he saying?

The Promised Spirit has come (vv.14-21).

The foundation is the resurrection of Jesus Christ (vv.22-24).

The promise of the Scripture (vv. 25-32) - Peter was saying, these are NOT my words, but the fulfillment of the Scripture!

Because this is the fulfillment of the Scripture, YOU (listeners) embrace or accept the facts (vv. 33-36).

The Response of the Audience (2:37-40)

What happened after Peter’s message?

Peoples response. Acts 2:37

Acts 2:37 KJV 1900

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?

What does it mean by “pricked” in their heart?

ESV says, “they were cut to the heart.”

So pricked in Greek means -

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 25.281 κατανύσσομαι τὴν καρδίαν

(an idiom, literally ‘to pierce the heart’) to experience acute emotional distress, implying both concern and regret—‘to be greatly troubled, to be acutely distressed.’

Then we see the most important question:

“Men and brethern, what shall we do?”

Peter’s Response:

Acts 2:38 KJV 1900

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.

The Universal Scope of the Promise:

Acts 2:39 KJV 1900

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.

The Formation of the Church (vv. 41-47)

Acts 2:41–42 KJV 1900

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The Church was formed because of the Promise of Salvation (vv. 37-47).

What can we learn from this narrative?

Believers in Christ are:

repentant

believing

saved, and

sealed

In the same way, new believers in Christ should be:

baptized

in fellowship with other Christians

fearful to the Lord

Gracious and generous in giving

praying

and should be witnessing