Acts 2
2
The Day of Pentecost
1When the day of #2:1 Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) was observed at the time of the grain harvest and the offering of the first fruits, and was one of the three great annual Jewish festivals, along with Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths). Just as Jesus’ sacrifice was the fulfillment of Passover, the coming of the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of Pentecost.Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, 2and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. 4And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other #2:4 Or languages, the Greek can have either meaning.tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].
5Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout and God-fearing men from every nation under heaven. 6And when this sound was heard, a crowd gathered, and they were bewildered because each one was hearing those in the upper room speaking in his own language or dialect. 7They were completely astonished, saying, “Look! Are not all of these who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears in our own language or native dialect? 9[Among us there are] Parthians, Medes and Elamites, and people of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and #2:9 Modern Turkey.Asia [Minor], 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and the visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes (Gentile converts to Judaism), 11Cretans and Arabs—we all hear them speaking in our [native] tongues about the mighty works of God!” 12And they were beside themselves with amazement and were greatly perplexed, saying one to another, “What could this mean?” 13But others were laughing and joking and ridiculing them, saying, “They are full of sweet wine and are drunk!”
Peter’s Sermon
14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be explained to you; listen closely and pay attention to what I have to say. 15These people are not drunk, as you assume, since it is [only] the third hour of the day (9:00 a.m.); 16but this is [the beginning of] what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
17‘And it shall be in the last days,’ says God,
‘That I will pour out My Spirit upon all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see [divinely prompted] visions,
And your old men shall dream [divinely prompted] dreams;
18Even on My bond-servants, both men and women,
I will in those days pour out My Spirit
And they shall prophesy.
19‘And I will bring about wonders in the sky above
And signs (attesting miracles) on the earth below,
Blood and fire and smoking vapor.
20‘The sun shall be turned into darkness
And the moon into blood,
Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21‘And it shall be that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord Jesus] shall be saved (rescued spiritually).’ [Joel 2:28-32]
22“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and attested to you by God with [the power to perform] miracles and wonders and signs which God worked through Him in your [very] midst, just as you yourselves know— 23this Man, when handed over [to the Roman authorities] according to the predetermined decision and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross and put to death by the hands of lawless and godless men. 24But God raised Him up, releasing Him and bringing an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in death’s power. 25For David says of Him,
‘I saw the Lord constantly before me;
For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken [from my state of security].
26‘Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly;
Moreover my flesh also will live in hope [that is, will encamp in anticipation of the resurrection];
27For You will not forsake me and abandon my soul to Hades (the realm of the dead),
Nor let Your Holy One undergo decay [after death].
28‘You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will fill me [infusing my soul] with joy with Your presence.’ [Ps 16:8-11]
29“Brothers, I may confidently and freely say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30And so, being a prophet and knowing fully that God had sworn to him with an oath that He would seat one of his descendants on his throne, [2 Sam 7:12-16; Ps 132:11] 31he foresaw and spoke [prophetically] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), that He was not abandoned [in death] to Hades (the realm of the dead), nor did His body undergo decay. [Ps 16:10] 32God raised this Jesus [bodily from the dead], and of that [fact] we are all witnesses. 33Therefore having been exalted #2:33 Or by.to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this [blessing] which you both see and hear. 34For David did not ascend into the heavens, yet he himself says,
‘The Lord [the Father] said to my #2:34 In Ps 110:1 Heb Adonai.Lord [the Son],
“Sit at My right hand,
35Until I make Your enemies a #2:35 The earthly kingdoms will be subjugated at the inauguration of the kingdom of Christ.footstool for Your feet.” ’ [Ps 110:1]
36Therefore let all the house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (Messiah, Anointed)—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
The Ingathering
37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.” [Is 57:19; Joel 2:32] 40And Peter solemnly testified and continued to admonish and urge them with many more words, saying, “#2:40 Or Escape.Be saved from this crooked and unjust generation!” 41So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about #2:41 There were about 100,000 to 120,000 people in Jerusalem at this time, and even more at these festivals.3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers]. 42They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to #2:42 Lit the breaking of bread.eating meals together and to prayers.
43A sense of awe was felt by #2:43 Lit every soul.everyone, and many wonders and signs (attesting miracles) were taking place through the apostles. 44And all those who had believed [in Jesus as Savior] #2:44 One early ms does not contain were and and.were together and had all things in common [considering their possessions to belong to the group as a whole]. 45And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need. 46Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts, 47praising God continually, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved.
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Acts 2
2
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
1 #
Lev 23.15–21; Deut 16.9–11 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. 2Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. 4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
5There were Jews living in Jerusalem, religious people who had come from every country in the world. 6When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because each one of them heard the believers speaking in his or her own language. 7In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, “These people who are talking like this are Galileans! 8How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages? 9We are from Parthia, Media, and Elam; from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia; from Pontus and Asia, 10from Phrygia and Pamphylia, from Egypt and the regions of Libya near Cyrene. Some of us are from Rome, 11both Jews and Gentiles converted to Judaism, and some of us are from Crete and Arabia — yet all of us hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things that God has done!” 12Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, “What does this mean?”
13But others made fun of the believers, saying, “These people are drunk!”
Peter's Message
14Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: “Fellow-Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means. 15These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about:
17 #
Joel 2.28–32 (LXX) ‘This is what I will do in the last days, God says:
I will pour out my Spirit on everyone.
Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message;
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will have dreams.
18Yes, even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will proclaim my message.
19I will perform miracles in the sky above
and wonders on the earth below.
There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke;
20the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will turn red as blood,
before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes.
21And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.’
22“Listen to these words, fellow-Israelites! Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you. 23#Mt 27.35; Mk 15.24; Lk 23.33; Jn 19.18In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him. 24#Mt 28.5–6; Mk 16.6; Lk 24.5But God raised him from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner. 25#Ps 16.8–11 (LXX)For David said about him:
‘I saw the Lord before me at all times;
he is near me, and I will not be troubled.
26And so I am filled with gladness,
and my words are full of joy.
And I, mortal though I am,
will rest assured in hope,
27because you will not abandon me in the world of the dead;
you will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave.
28You have shown me the paths that lead to life,
and your presence will fill me with joy.’
29“My fellow-Israelites, I must speak to you plainly about our famous ancestor King David. He died and was buried, and his grave is here with us to this very day. 30#Ps 132.11; 2 Sam 7.12–13He was a prophet, and he knew what God had promised him: God had made a vow that he would make one of David's descendants a king, just as David was. 31David saw what God was going to do in the future, and so he spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah when he said:
‘He was not abandoned in the world of the dead;
his body did not rot in the grave.’
32God has raised this very Jesus from death, and we are all witnesses to this fact. 33He has been raised to the right-hand side of God, his Father, and has received from him the Holy Spirit, as he had promised. What you now see and hear is his gift that he has poured out on us. 34#Ps 110.1For it was not David who went up into heaven; rather he said:
‘The Lord said to my Lord:
Sit here at my right
35until I put your enemies as a footstool under your feet.’
36“All the people of Israel, then, are to know for sure that this Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one that God has made Lord and Messiah!”
37When the people heard this, they were deeply troubled and said to Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do, brothers?”
38Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit. 39For God's promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away — all whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
40Peter made his appeal to them and with many other words he urged them, saying, “Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!” 41Many of them believed his message and were baptized, and about 3,000 people were added to the group that day. 42They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.
Life among the Believers
43Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. 44#Acts 4.32–35All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. 45They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. 46Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, 47praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
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Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.