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Acts

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Acts 2

Commentary · verses 1-47

Chapter 2 started the 6th (and current) Dispensation: Pentecost. God administrated this dispensation by grace to individuals by the Holy Spirit upon our hearts. Everything prior to this (excluding the Book of Genesis and including the four Gospels) documented the 5th Dispensation. So, the first book of the Bible covered the first four dispensations. The next forty-two books of the Bible covered the 5th Dispensation. This book was the first of twenty-three books that covered the current 6th Dispensation.

1And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.

1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Commentary · verse 1

"Pentecost" meant the "Fiftieth Day." According to Leviticus 23:15-16, this was the fiftieth day from the day after the first Passover Sabbath. Jesus rose three days after Passover and walked among the disciples for forty days. It looked like the Disciples only had to wait seven days after Jesus ascended for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Commentary · verse 2

The upper room was filled by a sound that was as of the rushing of a mighty wind. The word spirit came from "a movement of air or breath." In the next verse we will see another description of the Holy Spirit. The "tongues parting asunder" or "cloven tongues" were tongue-shaped, flame-like objects. These symbolized the Holy Spirit baptizing with fire. So far, the two descriptions associated with the Holy Spirit were not plain. This account did not say a mighty wind filled the house. It said a sound from heaven filled the room as of the rushing of a mighty wind. This account did not say tongues of fire sat on each one of them. It said tongues parting asunder sat upon each one of them that were like as of fire. However, this was not the first account in the New Testament that described the Holy Spirit's appearance. During Jesus' Baptism, Matthew 3:16 stated the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove. The rest of the Gospels focused much more on Jesus instead of the Holy Spirit.

3And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.

3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Commentary · verse 3

When a member of the Trinity first appeared in the Bible, they were most like their True Nature. Once they interacted with people, they ended up having to adjust to the flaws in people and we see less of their True Nature and more of their adjustments.

God the Father during Creation and His interactions with Adam and Eve, and Cain and Abel were the best accounts of HOW/WHY God interacted with people: Genesis 1-3. God the Father asked questions and tried to guide people through questions and if/then's with promise of reward, not statements and not punishment. It was only when people would not respond to this approach that God gave a list of Commandments (Exodus 34:28) with punishments for those who would not do the statements. By the time the New Testament was written, God the Father made very few appearances. The focus became Jesus.

When Jesus began His ministry, He taught directly through principles: Matthew 5. However, this resulted in the religious leaders becoming worse. It was only after people were not able to handle principles taught directly that Jesus taught through parables, through presenting principles indirectly: Matthew 13. We saw Jesus in Acts chapter 1. Jesus also appeared to Saul/Paul in Acts 9 and to John in the Book of Revelation. However, from this point forward in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit was the focus, and these chapters (and this book) were the best accounts of the True Nature of the Holy Spirit.

4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Commentary · verse 4

Those in the upper room, who were all believers, were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit led them to speak. These people were taking direction from the Holy Spirit to the point they spoke in other tongues.

5Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

6And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.

7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilæans?

8And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born?

5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?

8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Commentary · verses 5-8

This gift confounded the people of that time because it appeared to be something new and never mentioned in the Old Testament. Through the gift of tongues, the Holy Spirit caused the men to speak in a manner that caused (according to verse 6) every man to hear these tongues in their own language. Notice, verse 6 said the men were "confounded." Here was the specific list...

9Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judæa and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, 10in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.

9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Commentary · verses 9-11

There were people from at least sixteen different regions that were hearing their own languages through the gift of tongues.

12And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.

12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Commentary · verses 12-13

The men who spoke in tongues were mocked and judged to have been drunk even though the miracle was that every (non-tongue speaking) man heard his own language. The KJV used the words "in doubt" for the word that was interpreted as "perplexed" in verse 12. Just as "manna" (which meant "What is it?" from Exodus 16:15) caused believers of that time to be confused because it was something new, this gift of tongues caused some believers to be in doubt (and ask "What meaneth this?") because it was something new and apparently without precedence in the Scriptures.

Commentary · verses 14-36

Verses 14-36: the famous sermon by Peter during Pentecost.

14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.

15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day; 16but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:

14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

Commentary · verse 16

In verses 17-21, Peter referenced Joel 2:28-32a.

Doctrines on this passage

17And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:

17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Commentary · verse 17

Doctrine: The Holy Spirit has been poured out on all flesh. Every person, whether they are a believer or not, has the Holy Spirit on them. Believers are people who have chosen to allow the Holy Spirit in them. These people were baptized in the Holy Spirit. They were full of the Holy Spirit, completely immersed. Visions are harder to have than dreams.

18Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Commentary · verse 18

Prophesying is easier than having dreams. Verse 18 was the same as Joel 2:29. Verses 19-21 were the same as Joel 2:30-32a. Notice, these verses will not occur until the end of the Tribulation, the end of the 5th Dispensation (The Law) once it returned as the 70th Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27), after our dispensation is completed. We were grafted in between verses 18 and 19 of this chapter and verses 29 and 30 of Joel 2.

Doctrines on this passage

19And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: 20The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day: 21And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

19And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Commentary · verse 21

Verse 21 was the same as the first part of Joel 2:32. The second half of Joel 2:32 was: "...for in Mount Zion and Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant as the Lord shall call." This portion of Joel 2:32 will occur after the end of the Dispensation of the Law during the 7th Dispensation: The Millennium. So, this was another example of a prophecy that seemed continuous from an Old Testament perspective, but actually had a gap within a sentence of the prophecy where our dispensation occurred. Other examples were: Isaiah 61:1-3, Daniel 8:21-23, and Daniel 11:35-36.

22Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; 23him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:

22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Commentary · verse 23

Peter boldly stated that the people to whom he was speaking took Jesus and with their wicked hands had Jesus crucified and slain.

24whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Commentary · verse 24

Doctrine: The Gospel consists of three parts: Christ's death, Christ's burial, and Christ's resurrection. This verse stated Christ's resurrection was the portion of the Gospel that loosed the pangs of death and allowed us to have eternal life.

25For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:

25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

Commentary · verse 26

Verses 25-26 Peter referenced Psalm 16:8-9. Again, the Book of Psalms contained prophecy.

27Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.

28Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.

29Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.

30Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;

27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Commentary · verse 30

Peter referenced 2 Samuel 7:12.

31he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Commentary · verse 31

Peter referenced Psalm 16:10.

32This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.

32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Commentary · verse 33

Doctrine: Jesus received the promise of the Holy Spirit from God the Father and Jesus poured forth the Holy Spirit in order to baptize these people on Pentecost.

34For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Commentary · verse 34

Peter, with verse 34 and 35 together, referenced Psalm 110:1, and very well. Remember, Psalm 110:1a (verse 34) was the verse that Jesus used to show the Pharisees they did not know the Word of God: Matthew 22:41-46 and Mark 12:36.

35Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.

35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

Commentary · verse 35

This was the rest of Psalm 110:1.

36Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Commentary · verse 36

Peter ended his sermon declaring Jesus as Lord and Christ, as supreme ruler and Messiah.

37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

37Now 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?

Commentary · verse 37

The people who mocked the Disciples heard these words and were pricked (pierced) in their hearts (they felt conviction) so they asked Peter and the Apostles what they should do.

38And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

38Then 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.

Commentary · verse 38

Doctrine: Peter told them to repent and be baptized in Jesus' name for the remission (release from bondage or imprisonment) of sins and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.

39For 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.

Commentary · verse 39

Doctrine: The Gospel was intended for everyone.

40And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.

41They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.

40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Commentary · verses 40-41

Those there gladly received Peter's word and were baptized. They were humble and repentant. This day of Pentecost (fifty days after Jesus' death) there were about 3000 souls added to the approximated 120 souls. They grew by a factor of twenty-five.

Commentary · verse 41

Notice, the 6th Dispensation began on Pentecost and stated 3000 souls were saved that day. According to Exodus 32:28, the beginning of the Dispensation of the Law brought death to 3000 people. The Dispensation of the Law began with 3000 deaths while the beginning of the Dispensation of Grace brought eternal life to 3000 people.

42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.

42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Commentary · verse 42

Doctrine: They continued steadfastly in the four causes of how church ought to be:

  1. Apostle's Teaching (Doctrine),

  2. Fellowship,

  3. Breaking of Bread,

  4. Prayer.

They steadfastly did these things, "steadfastly" meaning: "intentionally and continually". Notice, these four causes were mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical. These four causes were done during the Last Supper by Jesus according to John's Gospel Account. (See comment after John 17:26.) The first New Testament Church service was at the Last Supper.

Commentary · verses 43-47

Verses 43-47: the effects the church will have when they do the causes from verse 42.

43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Commentary · verse 43

Respect for God and supernatural manifestations were the first effects that were mentioned: Spiritual.

44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.

44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Commentary · verse 45

Unity and Love were the second effects that were mentioned: Emotional.

46And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Commentary · verse 46

Notice, both a temple and home were mentioned as places for "church." Teaching was done in the church and at home: Mental.

47praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.

47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Commentary · verse 47

Praising God and having favor with all people were the third causes that were mentioned. These were the First Command (Love God) and Second Command (Love people). The fourth and final cause was the number of people who believed increased day by day: Physical. The church does not need to focus on adding to the church. The focus ought to be the four causes of church from verse 42 and an effect will be that "the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved."

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