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Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Wiersbe - Vance Havner made that statement and he was right. The early church had none of the things that we think are so essential for success today—buildings, money, political influence, social status—and yet the church won multitudes to Christ and saw many churches established throughout the Roman world. Why? Because the church had the power of the Holy Spirit energizing its ministry. They were a people who “were ignited by the Spirit of God.” That same Holy Spirit power is available to us today to make us more effective witnesses for Christ. The better we understand His working at Pentecost, the better we will be able to relate to Him and experience His power. The ministry of the Spirit is to glorify Christ in the life and witness of the believer (John 16:14), and that is what is important.(Bible Exposition Commentary ) From the schematic above notice the phrases Jesus went and 10 days later (this time interval not in the schematic) the Holy Spirit came, on the Day of Pentecost bringing about the birth of the Church, the Body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23+). This is the day the Church was born in contrast to what some modern theologians teach (see excursus). The entity of the Church, the Body of Christ, had never existed and was not revealed in the Old Testament. The apostle Paul said the Church was a mystery, a divine secret hidden in he heart of God, and revealed in New Testament times. For three years Jesus ministered in Person in the power of the Spirit on the earth but the coming of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of the ministry of Jesus in Heaven working through His disciples on earth in the power of the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Spirit would bring the supernatural power the disciples would need to "be (Jesus') witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8+), bringing about the expansion of the Church throughout the world. On a number of occasions Jesus had promised His disciples that the events that took place on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) would come to pass and below are several of those passages which help give us context. In John Jesus gave a promise of power... Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, Whom those who believed in Him were to receive (THE FIRST GROUP WOULD BE THE 120 GATHERED ALL TOGETHER); for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (THAT HAPPENED IN Acts 1:9-11). (John 7:37-39+) Comment - Jesus' death (foreshadowed in Passover) and resurrection (foreshadowed in Feast of Firstfruits) and return to Heaven had to occur before the Spirit could be given (Pentecost), synchronizes perfectly with the Jewish calendar in Leviticus 23 describing the feasts of Passover, Firstfruits, and then Pentecost. While the disciples did not know for certain the day they would be baptized with the Spirit, if they understood that the two previous feasts, Passover and Firstfruits, had been fulfilled in Christ's death and resurrection, then they might have reasoned that the next feast, Pentecost (which was "not many days from" Jesus promise of the Spirit, cf Acts 1:5+) would be the very day on which the Spirit would arrive. However even if they suspected the day, they still did not know the hour which accounts for "suddenness" (and surprise) of His arrival. In the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-16) Jesus promised to give the disciples the Holy Spirit John 14:16+ I will ask the Father, and He will give you Another (NOT HETEROS BUT ALLOS - ANOTHER JUST LIKE JESUS) Helper, that He may be with you forever. that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. Comment: Notice the change of preposition from with to in. Jesus was informing His disciples that things were about to change regarding the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In the OT, the Spirit predominantly came upon people to empower them for service (Jdg 3:10, 6:34, 11:28, 14:6, 19, 15:14, 1 Sa 10:9,10,19:20,23; 2 Ch 20:14; Nu 24:2; 16:13; 1 Ch 12:18). In a few instances the Spirit was described as IN some individuals (Nu 27:18; 1 Pe 1:11) but His ministry was always temporary, which is why David prayed "Do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me," (Ps 51:11), a prayer that the disciples (and all NT believers) would soon never need to pray because the Spirit would soon come to indwell them permanently ("with you forever.") John 15:26+ When the Helper comes (ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST), Whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also (BE WITNESSES OF JESUS WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID IN BOOK OF ACTS - e.g., Acts 8:35, 10:43, 17:2-3, etc), because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 16:7-8 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away (REFERRING TO JESUS' ASCENSION AND GLORIFICATION), the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. “And He, when He comes, will convict (EXPOSE THEIR HEART) the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; John 16:13-16 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come (THIS IS REFERRING TO THE INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES WHICH THE APOSTLES WOULD LATER WRITE). 14 “He will glorify Me (THIS IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT), for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you." In Luke after His resurrection Jesus instructed the 11 disciples... “And behold (idou - CALLS FOR ONE TO PAY ATTENTION!), I am sending forth the Promise of My Father upon you (THE PROMISE IS A PERSON, THE HOLY SPIRIT); but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power (dunamis) from on high.” (Lk 24:49+) In Acts we come to the Jesus "40 day seminar" (so to speak) during which He "presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them (HIS 11 DISCIPLES) over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3+). Then Luke records some of Jesus' last instructions to His disciples... Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for (perimeno in the present tense - keep on waiting for) what the Father had promised (SEE Luke 24:49+), “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me (ESPECIALLY THE PASSAGES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN); for John baptized with water (Jn 19:4-see discussion of John's Baptism), but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5+, cf Acts 11:16+) Comment: So on the day Jesus ascended back to the Father, He repeated the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit, but added that they would have to wait. It is interesting that Jesus told them they would not have to wait long for it would be not many days from now. Note that Jesus only said not many days from now but did not specify it would be 10 days, on the Day of Pentecost. He simply instructed them to wait for what the Father had promised. And many times we too have to wait for the Father's promise, but He is always faithful. As Adrian Rogers said "You can save a lot of time — by waiting on God!" Notice also the baptism is not with water, but with the Holy Spirit, a spiritual baptism, not a physical water baptism. Notice also, Jesus did not tell them to pray for this baptism with the Spirit! Some teach one needs to pray for the baptism of the Spirit, but that is not in the Bible! For completeness, remember that the gift of the Spirit was also promised in the Old Testament... Isaiah 32:15 Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fertile field, And the fertile field is considered as a forest. Isaiah 44:3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring (REMEMBER HE IS SPEAKING TO JEWS WHO ARE THE PRIMARY RECIPIENTS OF THIS PROMISE AS WE SEE IN ACTS 2, BUT THEN OF COURSE APPLICABLE TO GENTILE BELIEVERS AS ALSO SHOWN IN ACTS) And My blessing on your descendants; Ezekiel 36:27-note (CONTEXT IS DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW COVENANT) “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. Joel 2:28-note “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. And then in Acts 1:8 Jesus explained why the disciples needed to wait to receive the Spirit but you will receive power (dunamis = supernatural power) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (THIS IS THE BAPTISM - MANIFEST BY THE SOUND LIKE WIND AND SIGHT LIKE FIRE); and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8+) Twice Luke records the disciples' obedience to the instructions of their Lord in Lk 24:49+ and Acts 1:4+... Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.Acts 1:12 And they, after worshiping Him (as Jesus parted from them - Lk 24:51), returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God. (Lk 24:52-53) With this background context, now we can now look at Acts 2 which describes the coming of the Holy Spirit to baptize the 120 disciples. And when the day of Pentecost had come - Luke begins with the "when" and then describes the "what" (i.e., "what" transpired on the "when"). As noted, this is 10 days after Jesus ascended, so they knew that now the Spirit could be given, because the condition had been fulfilled that Jesus had been glorified (Jn 7:39). They did not know exactly when the Spirit would be given but just that it would not be many days from His ascension (Acts 1:5). The fact that they did not know the exact time of the Spirit's arrival explains Luke's use of suddenly (Acts 2:2) which describes something as happening quickly and without warning. The day of
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Wiersbe - The calendar of Jewish feasts in Leviticus 23 is an outline of the work of Jesus Christ. Passover pictures His death as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7), and the Feast of Firstfruits pictures His resurrection from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20–23). Fifty days after Firstfruits is the Feast of Pentecost, which pictures the formation of the church. At Pentecost, the Jews celebrated the giving of the Law, but Christians celebrate it because of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church. (Bible Exposition Commentary ) William
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Wiersbe adds this helpful explanation on the baptism with the Holy Spirit - When you read about “baptism” in the New Testament, you must exercise discernment to determine whether the word is to be interpreted literally or symbolically. For example, in Romans 6:3–4 and Galatians 3:27–28, the reference is symbolic since water baptism cannot put a sinner into Jesus Christ. Only the Holy Spirit can do that (Ro 8:9+; 1 Cor. 12:13; see Acts 10:44–48). Water baptism is a public witness of the person’s identification with Jesus Christ, while Spirit baptism is the personal and private experience that identifies the person with Christ. It is important to note that historically, the baptism of the Spirit took place in two stages: the Jewish believers were baptized at Pentecost, and the Gentiles were baptized and added to the body in the home of Cornelius (Acts 10:44–48; 11:15–17; and see Eph. 2:11–22+). (Bible Exposition Commentary )
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Wiersbe comments that "The tongues as of fire symbolized the powerful witness of the church to the people. G Campbell
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Wiersbe - The Holy Spirit had been active prior to Pentecost and had worked in Creation (Gen. 1:1-2), in Old Testament history (Judges 6:34; 1 Sam. 16:13), and in the life and ministry of Jesus (Luke 1:30-37; 4:1, 14; Acts 10:38). However, now there would be two changes: the Spirit would dwell in people and not just come on them, and His presence would be permanent, not temporary (John 14:16-17). The Spirit could not have come sooner, for it was essential that Jesus die, be raised from the dead, and return to heaven before the Spirit could be given (John 7:37-39; 16:7ff). (ED: SEE EXCELLENT SCHEMATIC OF THE "TIMING" OF THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT AND BIRTH OF THE CHURCH) Remember the Jewish calendar in Leviticus 23: Passover, Firstfruits, and then Pentecost. (ED: SEE CHART OF SEVEN GREAT FEASTS) (Bible Exposition Commentary). The esteemed preacher Martyn-Lloyd Jones clearly stated that "here in Acts 2 God is starting the Christian church!"
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Wiersbe adds that "The filling of the Spirit has to do with power for witness and service (Acts 1:8+). We are not exhorted (OR COMMANDED) to be baptized with the Spirit, for this is something God does once and for all when we trust His Son. But we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18+), for we need His power constantly if we are to serve God effectively (ED: cf John 15:5!). At Pentecost, the Christians were filled with the Spirit AND experienced the baptism of the Spirit; but after that, they experienced many fillings (Acts 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9) but no more baptisms. (Bible Exposition Commentary ) Spirit and power are frequently associated = Luke 4:14+; Acts 1:8+; Acts 10:38; Ro 15:13; Ro 15:19, 1 Cor. 2:4; Eph. 3:16; 1 Th. 1:5; 2 Ti 1:7). The upshot is that the Holy Spirit imparts power for ministry. Does this describe your ministry? Is it "your" ministry or the Spirit of Jesus' ministry THROUGH you? The former is fueled by natural power, the latter by supernatural power. The former is fruitless, the latter is fruitful. The former gives you glory, the latter gives Jesus glory. Which describes your ministry? Remember that… Bethlehem was God with us. Calvary was God for us. Pentecost is God in us. D. L. Moody is reported to have said, “You might as well try to see without eyes, hear without ears, or breathe without lungs, as to try to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit.” James Montgomery
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Wiersbe - Pentecost was a reversal of the judgment at the Tower of Babel when God confused man’s language (Gen. 11:1-9). God’s judgment at Babel scattered the people, but God’s blessings at Pentecost united the believers in the Spirit. At Babel, the people were unable to understand each other, but at Pentecost, men heard God’s praises and understood what was said. The Tower of Babel was a scheme designed to praise men and make a name for men, but Pentecost brought praise to God. The building of Babel was an act of rebellion, but Pentecost was a ministry of humble submission to God. What a contrast! (Bible Exposition Commentary) John Stott - “Ever since the early church fathers, commentators have seen the blessing of Pentecost as a deliberate and dramatic reversal of the curse of Babel.” (Borrow The message of Acts : the Spirit, the church & the world) Acts 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. KJV Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And when this sound occurred Acts 3:11; 1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12 Acts 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together - While the believers speaking in foreign languages created sounds, it is much more likely that the sound which drew them to the Spirit filled disciples was the noise like a violent rushing wind. (Acts 2:2). God drew the unbelieving Jews with a supernatural sound from Heaven and then bewildered them with more sounds from supernaturally enabled, Spirit filled men! There is an application to us today. The fact that God had gotten the attention those who heard the noise (sound) begs the question "Does God have your (my) attention?" He uses a variety of "sounds" (so to speak) to get our attention including trials, difficulties, hardships, pressures, providential occurrences. etc. He humbles us in a variety of ways so that we come to sense and acknowledge our need to seek His face. Beloved, it is a lot less painful to just pay attention to God rather than force Him to bring about loud "noises" (so to speak) in our lives to gain our attention! Is their divinely sent/allowed "noise" in your life which you are ignoring? Sound is not echos as in Acts 2:2 but phone used about 140x in the NT describing a range of sounds such as from the wind (comparing the sound of the wind to the Spirit in Jn 3:8), to instruments (1 Cor 14:7,8, voice like a trumpet = Rev 1:10+) to the voice of the Bridegroom (Jn 3:29), to the voice of the Father from Heaven (Lk 3:22, 9:35, 2 Pe 1:17,18) and the voice of one crying out in the wilderness (Jn 1:23, Is 40:3) J Vernon McGee on when the sound occurred - I shall never forget here in Pasadena, where I live, the first time we heard a jet plane break the sound barrier (listen). We were all out in our front yards wanting to know where the sound had come from. We had never heard anything like it before. The sound the people of Jerusalem heard had never been heard before; so they came rushing toward it—which may have been to the temple area. Probably all 120 believers were there (Acts 1:15). (Thru the Bible) The crowd - Lk 2:5 says the crowd was composed of men from every nation and thus they would be able to understand specific foreign languages being spoken by the 120 Spirit filled believers. Crowd (4128)(plethos from pletho = to fill, make full) describes literally a fullness or magnitude and thus a large number or multitude Gingrich - 1. quantity or number Heb 11:12.—2. large number, multitude—a. of things w. gen. Lk 5:6; bundle Acts 28:3; host Jas 5:20.—b. of persons—1. crowd, throng, host Mk 3:7f; Lk 2:13; 6:17; Acts 5:14; 21:36.—2. a meeting, assembly Lk 23:1; Acts 23:7.—c. people, populace, population Lk 8:37; Ac 2:6; 5:16; 14:4; 25:24.—d. community, church, fellowship Lk 1:10; 19:37; Acts 4:32; 6:5; 15:12, 30; 19:9. [English word - plethora] Plethos - 30x in 30v - assembly(1), body(1), bundle(1), congregation(4), crowd(3), great number(1), multitude(7), multitudes(1), number(1), number of people(2), people(6), quantity(1), throng(1). Mk. 3:7; Mk. 3:8; Lk. 1:10; Lk. 2:13; Lk. 5:6; Lk. 6:17; Lk. 8:37; Lk. 19:37; Lk. 23:1; Lk. 23:27; Jn. 5:3; Jn. 21:6; Acts 2:6; Acts 4:32; Acts 5:14; Acts 5:16; Acts 6:2; Acts 6:5; Acts 14:1; Acts 14:4; Acts 15:12; Acts 15:30; Acts 19:9; Acts 21:36; Acts 23:7; Acts 25:24; Acts 28:3; Heb. 11:12; Jas. 5:20; 1 Pet. 4:8 Plethos - Ge 16:10; 17:4; 27:28; 30:30; 32:12; 36:7; 48:16,19; Ex 1:9; 8:24; 12:6; 15:7; 19:21; 23:2; 32:13; 36:5; Lev. 25:36; Nu 32:1; Dt. 1:10; 10:22; 26:5; 28:47,62; Jos. 11:4; Jdg. 4:7; 6:5; 7:12; 1 Sam. 1:16; 13:5; 2 Sam. 17:11; 18:29; 1 Ki. 1:19,25; 4:20; 7:47; 10:10,27; 2 Ki. 7:13; 19:23; 1 Chr. 4:38; 12:40; 22:3-5,8,14-15; 29:16,21; 2 Chr. 1:15; 2:9; 4:18; 5:6; 9:1,6,9,27; 11:12,23; 12:3; 13:8; 14:11; 16:8; 20:2,12,24; 30:5,17,24; 31:5,10,18; 32:29; Neh. 5:18; 9:25; 13:22; Job 31:34; 33:19; 35:9; Ps. 5:7,10; 10:3; 31:19; 33:16-17; 37:11; 44:12; 49:6; 51:1; 52:7; 64:2; 66:3; 69:13,16; 72:7; 77:16; 94:19; 106:7,45; 145:7; 147:4; 150:2; Pr 5:23; Eccl. 1:18; 5:3,7,10-11; 6:3; 11:1; Isa. 1:11; 5:13; 17:12; 21:15; 28:2; 31:1,4; 37:24; 51:10; 63:7,15; Jer. 10:13; 13:22; 30:16; 46:16; 49:32; 51:13,27; Lam. 1:3,5; 3:32; Ezek. 19:11; 23:42; 26:10,13; 27:12,16,18,25,33; 28:9,16-18; 30:10,15; 31:2,6-7,9,15,18; 32:6,32; 39:4,11; 47:10; Dan. 2:35; 10:1; Hos. 4:7; 8:12; 9:7; 10:1,13; Mic. 4:13; Nah. 2:13; 3:3-4; Zech. 2:4; 8:4; 9:10; 14:14 Came together (assembled, gathered)(4905)(sunerchomai from sun = with, together + erchomai = to come) means to get together for a specific purpose, in this case because of the sound they heard from the room where the 120 disciples were staying. Kistemaker - We presume that the God-fearing Jews were at least bilingual, if not trilingual. Living in Jerusalem, they conversed in Aramaic. And if they had come from the parts of the Roman empire west and north of Israel, they would know Greek. But they also learned the languages of their native countries. They now hear these languages spoken by people who are not residents of these countries but who are Galileans. (Ibid) Wiersbe - Another reason for this gift of tongues was to let the people know that the Gospel was for the whole world. God wants to speak to every person in his or her own language and give the saving message of salvation in Jesus Christ. The emphasis in the Book of Acts is on worldwide evangelization, "unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). "The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions," said Henry Martyn, (note) "and the nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we must become." (Bible Exposition Commentary) Bewildered is also translated confounded, a verb which means to be confused or perplexed, unable to think clearly, especially by a sudden disturbance or surprise. Were bewildered (4797)(sugcheo/sugchunno from sun = with, together + cheo = to pour) literally means to pour together "precisely like the Latin confundo, to confound" (Robertson), not a meaning found in the NT. Figuratively, it means to cause dismay, confound, be thrown into confusion, be amazed, be stirred up (Acts 2:6). In the acts sense it means to stir up trouble. It is interesting that this verb is used to describe the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel so that men could not understand one another (Ge 11:7). Here in Acts 2 we see a "reversal" in a sense of what God did at Babel, Moses recording "its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of the whole earth." (Ge 11:9) Sugcheo/sugchunno 5x in 5v only in Acts - bewildered(1), confounding(1), confusion(2), stir(1). Acts 2:6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. Acts 9:22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Acts 19:32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. Acts 21:27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, Acts 21:31 While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. Sugcheo in the Septuagint - Gen. 11:7; Gen. 11:9; 1 Sam. 7:10 = "a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were routed before Israel"; 1 Ki. 20:43; Joel 2:1; Joel 2:10; Amos 3:15; Jon. 4:1; Mic. 7:17; Nah. 2:4; Genesis 11:7 “Come, let Us go down and there confuse (Hebrew = balal = mix, mingle, confuse, confound; Lxx = sugcheo) their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” Genesis 11:9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused (Hebrew = balal = mix, mingle, confuse, confound; Lxx = sugcheo) the language of the whole earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of the whole earth. Joel 2:1+ Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble (Heb = ragaz = be agitated, perturbed; Lxx = sugcheo - confounded), for the day of the LORD is coming; Surely it is near, Because - This term of explanation explains why the Jewish crowd was bewildered. Each one of them - Each is hekastos meaning in this context to each one separately. The addition of "one" (heis) even more strongly singles out each one of the Jews in the crowd. Each one had a personal "auditory witness" that something very unique and unusual was transpiring that day. One can be assured that the attention of each Jew in the crowd was riveted on these events. The Spirit was preparing them for Peter's proclamation of the Gospel!
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Wiersbe comments that "Note that the believers were praising God, not preaching the Gospel, and that they used known languages, not an "unknown tongue" (Acts 2:6, 8)." (Bible Exposition Commentary). Mighty deeds of God (Mighty works) - Mighty is the adjective megaleios (from megas = great) used only here in the NT and meaning great, magnificent, splendid, glorious, wonderful. Megaleios is used in Deuteronomy to describe the "greatness" of the LORD God. Know this day that I am not speaking with your sons who have not known and who have not seen the discipline of the LORD your God–His greatness, His mighty hand and His outstretched arm, and His signs and His works which He did in the midst of Egypt to Pharaoh the king of Egypt and to all his land. (Dt 11:2-3) "For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens, You who have done great (Lxx = megaleios) things; O God, who is like You?"
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Wiersbe - The message was given by a Jew, to Jews (Acts 2:14, 22, 29, 36), on a Jewish holy day, about the resurrection of the Jewish Messiah whom their nation had crucified. The Gentiles who were there were proselytes to the Jewish religion (Acts 2:10). Peter would not open the door of faith to the Gentiles until he visited Cornelius (Acts 10). (Bible Exposition Commentary ). Let this be known to you - Let...be is present imperative, which suggests something like "Do not let my words go in one ear and out the other, for this is truth that can be know and you need to know it continually." Alexander says the idea is "I have something to communicate or make known, with an implication that it is not without interest and importance to the hearers." Known (1110)(gnostos from ginosko = to know experientially) is that which is knowable, perceived, understood. Gnostos then means (1) of something clearly recognizable known, made known, remarkable (Acts 4.16); (2) well-known; of person's acquaintance, friend (Lk 2.44, Lk 23:49, Jn 18:15, 16; Lxx - Ps 88:8, 18); (3) of what can be known intelligible, knowable (Ro 1.19). The first use in the Septuagint refers to the "tree of knowledge of good and evil", where the Septuagint reads "learning the knowledge (Lxx - gnostos) of good and evil." (Ge 2:9). Isaiah 19:21 says "the LORD will make Himself known to Egypt" which is what He does in Ro 1:19. The adjective gnostos refers to something that is clearly recognizable, something that could be known. Peter is calling for (commanding) them to know the truth he is going to declare to them with the idea that it is truth which is knowable. Of course as Paul said "a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised." (1 Cor 2:14+) So the implication is that the Spirit of truth will enable the hearers of Peter's sermon to know (cf this same sense of gnostos in Acts 15:18) the truths he is declaring about Jesus Christ. Gnostos - 15x in 15v - acquaintances(2), known(12), noteworthy(1). Lk. 2:44; Lk. 23:49; Jn. 18:15; Jn. 18:16; Acts 1:19 = "And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem"; Acts 2:14; Acts 4:10; Acts 4:16 = "noteworthy miracle"; Acts 9:42 = It (Acts 9:40, 41) became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord"; Acts 13:38; Acts 15:18 = "THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO"; Acts 19:17 = "This (Acts 19:16) became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus;"; Acts 28:22 = "it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere"; Acts 28:28; Ro 1:19 = "because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them." Gnostos - 22x in 22v in the Septuagint - Ge 2:9; Ex. 33:16; 2 Ki. 10:11; "let it be known to the king" in Ezr. 4:12;13; 5:8; Neh. 5:10; Ps. 31:11 = "my acquaintances"; Ps. 55:13; Ps. 76:1 = "God is known (Lxx = gnostos) in Judah"; Ps. 88:8; Ps. 88:18 = "my acquaintances"; Isa. 19:21; Ezek. 36:32; Dan. 3:18; Zech 14:7 = "a unique day which is known (Lxx = gnostos) to the LORD"; This phrase let this be known is a Semitic expression used repeatedly in Acts (cf similar uses in Lxx = Ezek 36:32, Da 3:18) always in the context of salvation as it is in Peter's first sermon... Acts 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, Whom you crucified, Whom God raised from the dead–by this Name this man stands here before you in good health. Acts 13:38 “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, Acts 28:28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” Albert
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Wiersbe - Orthodox Jews did not eat or drink before 9 a.m. on the Sabbath or on a holy day, nor did they usually drink wine except with meals. (Bible Exposition Commentary) John Stott adds that the believers who experienced the filling of the Spirit did not "seem to them or look to others like intoxication, because they had lost control of their normal mental and physical functions. No, the fruit of the Spirit is ‘self-control,’ not the loss of it.” (Borrow The message of Acts : the Spirit, the church & the world) Paul picks up the metaphorical comparison between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:18+. Pastor Ray Pritchard says "A similar comparison occurs in Ephesians 5:18+, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." What precisely is the point of comparison between wine and the Holy Spirit? Doubtless the issue is influence or control. A person under the influence of wine experiences altered behavior. He or she may say or do things he or she would not ordinarily do. Emotions may be heightened for a brief period, causing the person to experience anger followed quickly by elation followed quickly by depression (REFERRING TO THE EFFECT OF DRUNK WITH WINE). If the person drinks enough wine, his or her mental processes will be affected and decision-making ability radically altered-almost always with a negative result. The filling of the Holy Spirit produces a change in behavior. In the Book of Acts, once-timid disciples became flaming evangelists for Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 5:19-21+, Paul mentioned three practical results of the filling of the Spirit: Singing, a thankful heart, and an attitude of mutual submission. The last result is most significant because true submission always involves giving up your right to be in control in every situation. When we submit from the heart, we are saying, “I don’t have to have my way all the time.” Only a heart touched by the Holy Spirit can maintain such an attitude in every relationship of life. (Water, Wine, Wind, Fire) Drunk (3184)(methuo from methe = wine) means to drink a lot or more freely than usual and thus can mean to become inebriated or drunk. However, methuo does not always mean one becomes drunk but just that they drink freely, e.g., at the wedding at Cana (Jn 2:10). Figuratively methuo describes being "made drunk with the wine of her immorality" (Rev 17:2) where the picture of those who are drunk refers to the intoxication of the earth dwellers who have been seduced by lust for power, influence, and money. Their desires, like strong drink, have affected their ability to see clearly or to reason rationally. Another figurative use is found in Rev 17:6+ where "the woman (was) drunk with the blood of the saints" (Rev 17:6) which speaks of the slaughter of the saints. Gilbrant - The Septuagint also uses methuō and its cognates for literal drunkenness (e.g., Genesis 9:21; Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 19:14; Ezekiel 23:33; Joel 1:5). Figuratively the related verb methuskō (from methuo) describes the sword of the Lord which is “drunk” from the blood of those slain by His wrath (Isaiah 34:5-7). Methuo - 7x in 7v - drunk(3), drunk freely(1), drunkards(1), get drunk(1), made drunk(1). Mt. 24:49; Jn. 2:10; Acts 2:15; 1 Co. 11:21; 1 Th 5:7 = "those who get drunk (methusko) get drunk at night"; Rev. 17:2; Rev. 17:6 Methuo - 10x in 10v in the Septuagint - 1 Sam. 1:13; 1 Sam. 25:36; 1 Ki. 16:9; 1 Ki. 20:16; Job 12:25; Ps. 107:27; Isa. 19:14; Isa. 24:20; Isa. 28:1; Isa. 51:21; Isa. 58:11; Joel 1:5 You suppose (5274)(hupolambano) literally means to take up as Jesus was taken up into the sky (Acts 1:9) but figuratively here means to "take up" an idea and so to assume or suppose. Acts 2:16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: KJV Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; spoken of through the prophet Joel Joel 2:28-32 Acts 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries 'WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?" "THIS IS THAT" The KJV phrase "This is That" was the title of a well-known 1968 book by F F Bruce entitled "Borrow The New Testament development of Old Testament themes) Peter responds with Scripture to address the mockers in Acts 2:13 and others who had a sincere question "What does this mean?" in Acts 2:12. The answer to their question "What does this mean?" is "This is that" (to quote the KJV) where "this" refers in context to the outpouring of the Spirit. This seems very plain and straightforward. However, before we begin this section, the reader needs to be aware that there is considerable variation in how Acts 2:17-20 is interpreted. I tend to agree with those who see a partial fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (cf MacArthur), so that Acts 2:17,18 is partially fulfilled in the Spirit's outpouring on all mankind (Acts 2:17) and on My bondslaves (Acts 2:18). Regarding the phrase on all mankind clearly not everyone on planet earth has had the Spirit poured out on them, neither at Pentecost nor in the last almost 2000 years. The most reasonable interpretation then is that the Spirit is poured out on all of mankind who put their faith in the Messiah, those who are His bondslaves. Peter's quotation from Joel in Acts 2:19, 20 on the other hand (if interpreted literally and not spiritualized or interpreted figuratively as some writers do) seems to clearly speak of the end of this present evil age, giving us a summary description of the catastrophic cosmic and global events that will take place in the Day of the Lord prior to the return of Christ. And where might we find a description of those cosmic events? The book of Revelation. So let's summarize what regarding which we can be relatively confident -- In order to explain what the Jews had witnessed in the 120 disciples speaking foreign languages, Peter quotes Joel who had predicted the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (although he did not mention "tongues.") Peter associates Joel's prophecy (under the inspiration of the Spirit) with the beginning of the last days which coincides with Messiah's first coming (a coming that brings salvation Acts 2:17, 18) and the end of the last days coincides with Messiah's Second Coming (a coming that brings judgment - Acts 2:19, 20). But after mentioning wonders and signs associated with judgment Acts 2:21 gives an invitation which if accepted allows one to escape the coming judgment. This simplistic interpretation would fit with what Peter was seeking to accomplish - To answer the question of the Jewish crowd about what the speaking in various languages meant but also to present the good news to the Jews that the door of salvation was open in faith in the Messiah. S Lewis
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Wiersbe - Peter did not say that Pentecost was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2:28-32, because the signs and wonders predicted (Acts 2:19, 20) had not occurred. When you read Joel's prophecy in context, you see that it deals with the nation of Israel in the end times, in connection with "the Day of the Lord." However, Peter was led by the Spirit to see in the prophecy an application to the Church. He said, "This is that same Holy Spirit that Joel wrote about. He is here!" Such an announcement would seem incredible to the Jews, because they thought God's Spirit was given only to a few select people (see Nu 11:28-29). But here were 120 of their fellow Jews, men and women, enjoying the blessing of the same Holy Spirit that had empowered Moses, David, and the prophets. (Bible Exposition Commentary ) William MacDonald offers a literal interpretation of Acts 2:17-18 (which which I basically agree)- The quotation from Joel is an example of the Law of Double Reference, by which a Bible prophecy has a partial fulfillment at one time and a complete fulfillment at a later time. The Spirit of God was poured out at Pentecost but not literally on all flesh. The final fulfillment of the prophecy will take place at the end of the Tribulation Period. Prior to the glorious return of Christ, there will be wonders in the heavens, and signs on the earth (Matt. 24:29, 30). The Lord Jesus Christ will then appear on the earth to put down His enemies and to establish His kingdom. At the beginning of His thousand-year reign, the Spirit of God will be poured out on all flesh, Gentiles as well as Jews, and this condition will prevail, for the most part, throughout the Millennium. Various manifestations of the Spirit will be given without regard to sex, age, or social status. There will be visions and dreams, which suggest the reception of knowledge; and prophecy, which suggests its impartation to others. Thus, the gifts of revelation and communication will be in evidence. All this will occur in what Joel described as the last days (Acts 2:17). This, of course, refers to the last days of Israel and not of the church. (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary) H A
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Wiersbe - Peter's audience knew that Jesus was a real Person from the town of Nazareth and that He had performed many signs and miracles. (On "Jesus of Nazareth," see Acts 2:22; 3:6; 4:10; 6:14; 10:38; 22:8; 26:9; also 24:5.) It was clear that God's hand was on Him. They had heard Him speak and had watched His life. They had even seen Him raise the dead, yet they could find no fault in Him—and these things were not "done in a corner"! (Acts 26:26) (Bible Exposition Commentary ) Moody Bible Commentary - The word miracles identifies the supernatural element of Jesus’ works; wonders describes the effect of the miracle on the witnesses; and signs indicates the purpose of the miracle. It is significant that no one protested Peter’s statement, since many of those present had been eyewitnesses to Jesus’ miraculous works. In your midst just as you yourselves know - What is Peter saying? He is saying in essence these Jews were fully aware of the supernatural phenomena because they occurred in their midst and they knew it! This is a clear indictment of Peter's Jewish audience. They could not claim ignorance or claim they had not seen the miracles and wonders and signs! Peter is appealing first to their intellect calling on them to recall what they had seen or heard about Jesus. Faith is not fuzzy but begins with objective data. The Spirit of course must open the eyes of natural (unregenerate) men else even facts appear foolishness to them (1 Cor 2:14+). Know (1492)(eido is used only in the perfect tense = oida) means in general to know by perception, meaning these Jews had become aware of the truths about the supernatural ability of Jesus through their senses. This is knowledge they knew without a shadow of a doubt (they had no excuses!) They saw Him perform miracles and signs and wonders. And those from other regions of the Roman Empire had surely been told of these supernatural events by the Jews who were eyewitnesses. Matthew gives us a good summary of Jesus' ministry in the midst of the Jews, and undoubtedly some who had witnessed Jesus' miracles were in Peter's audience... Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. 24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan. (Mt 4:23-25) John
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Wiersbe - The word translated "pains" (agony) means "birth pangs," suggesting that the tomb was a "womb" out of which Jesus was "born" in Resurrection glory (see Acts 13:33).(Bible Exposition Commentary) Tony Evans - Death was unable to hold Christ, not only because He is God, but because His death broke the power of sin. Sin is the only power that can hold a person in death. Death only exists because of sin, so when sin is done away with, death has lost its hold on us (1 Corinthians 15:55–56). When Jesus rose from the dead, He broke the power of sin for all time. And since we are attached to Jesus by faith, since we hold the “receipt” that shows our sins have been paid for, we will not stay dead either. It is impossible for us to be held in death’s power because it was impossible for Christ to be held in death’s power. This is sweet truth! (Theology You Can Count On) Stott - Agony means literally “birth pains”, so that his resurrection is pictured as a regeneration, a new birth out of death into life.
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Wiersbe summarizes Peter's logic in this section - If the Holy Spirit is in the world, then God must have sent Him. Joel promised that one day the Spirit would come, and Jesus Himself had promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit to His people (Luke 24:49; John 14:26; 15:26; Acts 1:4). But if Jesus is dead, He cannot send the Spirit; therefore, He must be alive. Furthermore, He could not send the Spirit unless He had returned to heaven to the Father (John 16:7); so, Jesus has ascended to heaven! To back up this statement, Peter quoted Psalm 110:1, a verse that certainly could not be applied to David. (Bible Exposition Commentary) Kistemaker explains "Because Peter’s audience had not seen Jesus in the forty-day period between his resurrection and ascension, they needed proof that what the eyewitnesses proclaimed was true. Therefore, they wanted to know the relationship between Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit. To meet the questions of his audience, Peter alludes to Jesus’ ascension and mentions Christ’s place at the right hand of God (compare Acts 5:31)....From his exalted position, Jesus has fulfilled the promise that the Father would send the Holy Spirit (refer to John 7:39; 14:26; 15:26). On the day of Pentecost Jesus’ words concerning the coming of the Spirit are being fulfilled. Consequently, everyone present at the temple area in Jerusalem is able to see the evidence of the outpouring of the Spirit. The listeners must know, therefore, that Jesus, seated at the right hand of God, has the authority to commission the Spirit to come and live in the hearts of the believers." (Baker NT Commentary - Acts) And having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit - Again we see the Father actively involved in the plan of redemption. In fact, in this passage we see all three Members of the Trinity interacting in perfect harmony. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus had instructed the disciples... “And behold, I (JESUS) am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you (Jn 14:16, 26); but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Lk 24:49+) Jesus had spoken of the promise of the Spirit in Acts 1 Gathering them together, He commanded them (THE ELEVEN) not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised (THE HOLY SPIRIT), “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; (Acts 1:4+) (And they had obediently waited and on the 10th day the promise was fulfilled. Beloved, the surest way to receive God's blessings is to be sure to walk in obedience to His Word and by His Spirit! [Gal 5:16+])! Promise (1860)(epaggelia/epangelia) originally meant an announcement or declaration but later came to mean promise or assurance (Acts 23.21) and in Scripture (as in the current passage) speaks predominately of God's pronouncements that provide assurance of what He will do. He had promised the Holy Spirit, and here on the feast day of Pentecost, He keeps His promise by giving it to His Son to pour out His Spirit. This reminds us of the passage by Paul "For all the promises of God in Him (CHRIST) are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (2 Cor 1:20KJV). John
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Wiersbe points out that "the people in the home of Cornelius received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized (Acts 10:44-48)." (Bible Exposition Commentary) Paul Apple - Account of Philip preaching Christ (His crucifixion and resurrection) to the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40; Response -- “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” – let’s move on to take the next step of water baptism. Paul evangelizing the Philippian jailer – Acts 16:30-31 “What must I do to be saved? Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household” – baptism immediately follows. (The Spread of the Gospel) Stott: What the gospel demands is a radical turn from sin to Christ, which takes the form inwardly of repentance and faith, and outwardly of baptism. For submission to baptism in the name of the Christ we have formerly repudiated gives public evidence of penitent faith in him. (The Message of Acts) Ryrie has an interesting note on baptism in the name of Jesus Christ - Since baptism signifies association (ED: BAPTISM = IDENTIFICATION WITH) with the message, group, or person involved in authorizing it, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ meant for these people a severing of their ties with Judaism and an association with the messages of Jesus and His people. Baptism was the line of demarcation. Even today for a Jew it is not his profession of Christianity nor his attendance at Christian services nor his acceptance of the New Testament, but his submission to water baptism that definitely and finally excludes him from the Jewish community and marks him off as a Christian. This explains the insistence on the ordinance. (Acts of the Apostles) Be baptized for...the forgiveness of your sins - I am fully aware that some use Peter's words to justify their belief that baptism is necessary for salvation. Obviously this is a huge topic and this commentary will avoid going into detail except for a few comments. The related resources below go into more detail. Suffice it to say I strongly refute the teaching that unless one is baptized in water they will not be saved. Such a baptism is clearly a work and Paul is crystal clear in Ephesians 2 writing For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works (INCLUDING BAPTISM), so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (WORKS ARE THE EXPECTED FRUIT OF GENUINE SALVATION, BUT NOT THE ROOT OF THAT SALVATION!), which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10) As alluded to in these notes, the teaching that one must be baptized to be saved counters multiple other NT passages that clearly teach salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Anything added to this is damnable heresy (IMO)! In support of this basic refutation John
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Wiersbe - apostles looked on the nation of Israel as a “crooked generation” that was under condemnation (Matt. 16:4; 17:17; Phil. 2:15). Actually, the nation would have about forty years before Rome would come and destroy the city and the temple and scatter the people. (Bible Exposition Commentary) Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. KJV Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. those who had received his word Acts 2:37; 8:6-8; 13:48; 16:31-34; Mt 13:44-46; Gal 4:14,15; 1 Th 1:6 were baptized Acts 2:47; 1:15; 4:4; Ps 72:16,17; 110:3; Luke 5:5-7; John 14:12 Acts 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So then - Term of conclusion. What is Luke concluding? Peter had sown the "seed" and now we see the harvest of "fruit," wrought by the Holy Spirit and the Gospel Seed! There was an immediate connection between their faith and their obedience Robertson on so then - (Hoi men oun). A common phrase in Acts either without antithesis as in Acts 1:6; Acts 5:41; Acts 8:4, 25; Acts 9:31; Acts 11:19; Acts 16:5; or with it as here, Acts 8:25; Acts 13:4; Acts 14:3; Acts 17:17; Acts 23:31; Acts 25:4. Oun connects with what precedes as the result of Peter's sermon while men points forward to what is to follow (Word Pictures in the New Testament - Acts 2) Those who had received his word were baptized - What a beautiful picture -- they did not just hear the Gospel. They "welcomed" the good news! And this marks quite a reversal from the experience of Jesus described by John 1:11-13+ "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive (paralambano) Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God (AS WITH THESE 3000 SOULS), even to those who believe in His Name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." They received it because they believed it! Then they testified to the their belief by being baptized. Received ("Welcomed" - Phillips)(588)(apodechomai from apo = from or intensifier + dechomai = to take from another for oneself, to receive, to welcome) means to receive kindly or hospitably (Luke 8:40; Acts 15:4; 18:27); of God's Word, to receive or embrace heartily, put out the "welcome mat" for it (Acts 2:41); of benefits, to receive or accept gratefully (Acts 24:3).