Project 119: Acts 2
| Project 119
“Speaking So That All May Hear”
There is perhaps no more misinterpreted chapter in the Bible than Acts 2. While many view the miracle of Pentecost as the gift of strange tongues on the part of the disciples, the greater miracle was that these “unlearned men” spoke in languages that enabled everyone gathered for the Festival of Pentecost to hear the Jesus story. The “ends of the earth” had come to Jerusalem, and the power of the Holy Spirit enabled the first believers to be ready to help them understand the gospel message.
The Day of Pentecost was a part of three great observances in Jewish life: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Pentecost was a commemoration of the first fruits of the harvest season and a celebration of God’s faithfulness to provide for His people. The background of the festival was significant in that God was again about to pour out His abundant resources upon His people through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The sound heard that day was “like a mighty rushing wind.” The word for spirit can be translated as wind. While it may have sounded much like a tornado, the descent of the Holy Spirit was by no means a destructive force. It did not tear down; instead, it built up, filling the entire house.
The fire that appeared upon the disciples represents the power of God. It was a “baptism” in fulfillment of the preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:16). Note that the experience was universal to the church. No one was left out. There is no such thing as a believer bereft of the Holy Spirit.
The “filling” of the Holy Spirit represents complete obedience to the leadership of God’s presence. As an expression of their obedience, each of the believers began to speak in unknown tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. The difference between this form of unknown speech and what we read about in 1 Corinthians 12 is that in this context everyone was able to hear the gospel message in his own language. In fact, the crowd that had gathered for the Feast of Pentecost from all around the world was astounded that such uncouth people could produce such speech. Clearly, they were unaware of the true source of the miracle, a show of ignorance that Peter would soon address.
Peter’s response comprises the first sermon in the book of Acts. Pay attention to the apologetic character of the message. This experience was a fulfillment of prophecy (Joel 2:28). Moreover, it was the sign of the dawning of a new day. From now on, the church’s preaching would be established upon the outline of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. The message would touch people everywhere; no one is beyond the pale of salvation.
Peter’s preaching bore fruit! Through the power of the Holy Spirit many were led to respond. The 3,000 that accepted the message and were baptized gave clear evidence as to the tremendous work that only God could make happen in a single day.
The result was a remarkable gathering of faithful people who were quick to do what they could to build upon their common experience with the Spirit. Such unity gave way to ongoing worship and witness, building up the church both in numbers and spiritual strength.
Of course, God can still make such a miracle happen. All that is required is that we believers be together and open to the Holy Spirit, speaking from our experience and trusting the Spirit to interpret our witness so that salvation may come to all who will hear, receive, and believe.
Acts 2 (ESV):
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus,delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,
“‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.