Acts · chapter 2 of 28
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Acts 2 tells how the Holy Spirit comes on the disciples on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem: they speak in other languages and a crowd of Jews from many nations hears them. Peter explains that this fulfills the prophecy of Joel and proclaims that Jesus, crucified and risen, is Lord and Christ. About three thousand people repent and are baptized, and the first church lives in fellowship, teaching, prayer and generosity.
After the ascension and the waiting of Acts 1, this chapter tells the public birth of the church. Pentecost was a Jewish festival that gathered pilgrims from all over the known world, and God uses that occasion to pour out his Spirit. Peter's sermon is the pattern of apostolic preaching: Scripture, the resurrection of Jesus and a call to repentance.
When the day of Pentecost arrives, the disciples are all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a strong wind comes from heaven, tongues like fire appear and rest on each of them, and all are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in other tongues. Devout Jews from many nations gather in amazement because each one hears them speaking in his own language about the mighty works of God. Some ask what it means; others mock and say they are drunk.
Peter stands with the eleven and answers: they are not drunk, since it is only the third hour of the day; this is what the prophet Joel said, that God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh. He then preaches Jesus of Nazareth, whom they handed over and crucified, but whom God raised up. He cites David's psalms to show that the Messiah would not see decay and that God exalted him to his right hand, and concludes that God has made him both Lord and Christ.
The hearers are cut to the heart and ask what they should do. Peter calls them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Spirit, a promise for them, for their children and for those far off. That day about three thousand are added. The chapter closes with the life of the first community: they devote themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers, they share what they have, and the Lord adds to their number day by day those who are being saved.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
All those present are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them ability. Jesus's promise of Acts 1 is fulfilled, and the disciples receive the power to be witnesses.
Peter concludes that all Israel must know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom they crucified, both Lord and Christ. This is the heart of the sermon: the cross was not a failure, and Jesus's resurrection and exaltation declare him Lord.
Peter answers the crowd's question: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The text joins repentance, baptism and the Spirit in the path of conversion, and God's grace is what makes it possible.
The new believers devote themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. These four simple practices remain the foundation of every church's life.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: A sound like a strong wind came, tongues like fire rested on them, and all were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues. — Acts 2:1-4
Answer: That they were filled with new wine, that is, drunk. — Acts 2:13
Answer: The prophet Joel's: God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh. — Acts 2:16-17
Answer: That God had raised him and made him both Lord and Christ. — Acts 2:32-36
Answer: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. — Acts 2:37-38
Answer: About three thousand. — Acts 2:41
Acts 2 shows that the Holy Spirit is not a topic reserved for a few but the Father's promise for all who repent and believe. In your group you can talk about how the Spirit's work shows today: in courage to witness, in love among believers and in a unity that overcomes differences of language and culture.
It is also worth looking at the end of the chapter with humility. The first church had no large programs: teaching, fellowship, a shared table and prayer. Ask which of those four needs the most attention in your church or your family this week.
Acts 2 ends with a living church, praising God and growing every day. Acts 3 shows the power of Jesus at work: Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple, which opens the way for a new sermon and for growing opposition.
In this chapter the disciples speak real languages that the pilgrims recognize as their own, so God's mighty works reach people from many nations. Christians disagree about whether this gift continues in the same way today, but all agree that Pentecost shows the gospel is for every people.
Peter joins repentance and baptism in Jesus's name with the forgiveness God gives. Christians understand the relationship between baptism and forgiveness in different ways, but all recognize that forgiveness comes from Christ and not from human merit.
The text says they sold property and possessions and distributed to each as any had need. It was a voluntary response to Christ's love and to the needs of a community in which many pilgrims stayed in Jerusalem after the festival.