ACTS

Acts Chapter 2

• Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 
• 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 
• 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 

Here we see the beginning of the the assembly of believers some call the church or congregation that starts the amazing spread of the gospel all over the world. This is a glorious time of joy and visitation from God. This is living proof of the resurrection and all the things Jesus said and did. It was also a time of preparation before going forth to spread the gospel all over the world. This is a gift of God and never should be downplayed. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit glorifies and brings souls to Christ, and never meant to glorify men. It is for all believers in all generations both male and female. 

The Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers present in the place where they were assembled on the day of Pentecost. In some cases this can happen among a very small group, when one is alone with no other believer's present, or any other time or place. I've heard comments that this was a one time event and it has never happened again. I wish we would not add to the word of God. No where in the New Testament or the Old do we see this as a one time only event. It could have happened many times but no one may have taken the time to write it down and tell us about it. We assume these things with no proof whatsoever. God is not to be boxed up according to our desires and our thinking.

Peter said that this promise is to all of us who believe even those afar off. No where does it say that this event was just for the apostles of that day. Some say that we do not need these things because we now have the written word. No where in the word of God states that fact either. There will never be a time before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ that we will not need the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The only thing that hinders this is unbelief, not because God only limited it to one time period.

• Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

I don't know why the Lord chose the sign of speaking in other languages but He did. I could venture a guess and this is just my own opinion, not to be taken as gospel truth. I would guess that it was a sign that the gospel was for every tongue and nation, not limited to the Jewish nation.

I realize it's hard for people who have never spoken in other tongues or languages in a supernatural manner to understand the reasoning but let us consider this. This is not some strange weird experience. Maybe you might have witnessed someone who acted strangely in the flesh but the Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift of God sent to be with us until Jesus comes again. There is nothing weird or strange about the person of the Holy Spirit. People who speak in other tongues are not weird strange people but just as normal as people who do not speak in other tongues. We are brothers and sisters in Christ if we have received Jesus Christ as savior and become born again by the same spirit we read about here causing many to speak in other tongues. Just because we have never spoken in other tongues does not mean that those who do, are wrong.

When we accuse someone of not being of God because they do things a little differently than our own religious traditions, it is not right. As long as it is in the bible then we better be very careful with our accusations lest we hurt a fellow believer. On other hand the apostle Paul makes it clear that not all speak with other tongues so we who do should not belittle or think ourselves higher than or more spiritual than the ones who do not speak in tongues.

I don't believe one gift is greater than another but all should be done in love. I cringe when I hear people call speaking in tongues one of the lesser gifts of the spirit. Where do we come up with some of our reasoning? Let us be careful not to change the word of God and make it say something it does not say. By love serve one another. Those who shout out loud the praises of God and those who pray quietly are equal. One is not more spiritual than the other. We know true believers by their fruits, not by what gifts they may have or how loud they worship. I love to praise God by speaking in tongues, singing and praising God but that is not what makes one spiritual. It is how we live on a daily basis and whether we live by the word of God. I am not saying this to downplay any wonderful gift that God gives us but only that we don't judge each other by these things.

Speaking in tongues is one of the many evidences that the Holy Spirit is present. It is a sign of having received the Holy Spirit. This cannot be denied. It may not be the only sign but it is definitely a sign. To see so many criticize this wonderful visitation from God is beyond my understanding. It is very normal when one is baptized with the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues and to prophesy (speaking forth a message in one's native language to edify other believers). To prophesy doesn't necessarily mean foretelling the future. It could be a message of exhortation, praise and comfort to fellow believers in Christ. Let us not be jealous and put down fellow believers who believe in tongues and supernatural speaking by the Holy Spirit. Our attitude should never be, "Do I have to speak in tongues?" but "Do I get to speak in tongues?" 

I believe in these latter days we are living in, we are going to need to outpouring of the Holy Spirit and all the gifts of the spirit that God has for us. It's getting bad out there and we all need the witness of the presence of God's spirit that we are entitled to. If one does not understand this, it is much safer to not say anything negative about this but ask the Lord for understanding.

• Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 
• 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. 
• 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 
• 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 
• 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 
• 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 
• 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 
• 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

They heard people who were not skilled naturally in the languages the devout Jews that came to Jerusalem spoke in the lands they were born. Most probably would have understood if they spoke in the common language spoken at Jerusalem but they heard the word of God in different languages where they had come from in different regions of the world. It was amazing.

They heard those that had been baptized with the Holy Spirit clearly proclaiming the word of God in languages the ones speaking didn't know naturally. We do see here that speaking in tongues was a method God used to let others of other languages know that this was a visitation from God to proclaim the gospel and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Something that was for people that lived everywhere.

We see that on two other occasions in the book of Acts, speaking in tongues occur even though there was not a great crowd of foreign visitors. I believe one reason for tongues is so that we can praise and worship God saying things other people do not need to understand unless it is the type of tongue that is to be interpreted for the whole church. It is for private worship and also worship in public assemblies when it is prayer time or time for worship and no one is trying to preach the word. Paul never once forbid public speaking in tongues unless someone is trying to preach, teach, exhort or give a message of prophecy.

I have heard testimonies about someone who happened to be in a foreign country and spoke in tongues and was heard by someone who understood what he said not with supernatural understanding but because the message was in their native tongue. There is a gift of interpretation but in some cases, one who heard could understand because he understood it by knowing the language.

• Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 

Whatever they heard, some thought they were drunk so this wasn't an event that was planned, controlled and natural but was supernatural. Please do not mock anyone who worships God in a different way than we are use to. People today still mock and ridicule like this when they don't understand something that is supernatural but Peter immediately explains what is going on.

• Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 
• 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 
• 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 
• 17 And 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: 
• 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 

This is the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel's prophesy and there is nothing to indicate that it was supposed to end or be a one-time event. The proof of that is the next verse. 

• Acts 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 
• 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 

This part of Joel's prophecy has not yet come to pass. Yet it appears to be all of the same prophecy. This event is on-going until the coming of the Lord. 

• Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Things will be so bad, sinful, and evil that if one just called on the name of the Lord it would indicate they were willing to repent and receive Jesus Christ. This puts the gospel in simple terms, just call upon Him and we can be saved. 

Here is the prophecy in Joel

• Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 
• 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 
• 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 
• 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 
• 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. 

To us it seems like the day of Pentecost was many years ago in what we call bible days but when compared to history back to the creation, it was really the beginning of the latter days when the Holy Spirit came. Jesus actually came in the latter part of history. He is just waiting until we spread the gospel before coming again.

• Acts 2:22 Ye 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: 
• 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 
• 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 
• 25 For 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: 
• 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 
• 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 
• 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 
• 29 Men 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. 
• 30 Therefore 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; 
• 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 

Here we can read of these words of David:

• Psalms 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 
• 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 
• 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

This outpouring of the Holy Spirit was made possible by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All this was promised in the Old Testament and is being poured out starting here in the book of Acts but also now as I write. This is for me, this is for you, this is for all that the Lord shall call. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit was also a sign that Jesus was the Christ, that Jesus was the one God sent to save us from sin and give us His Holy Spirit. It was given to empower those that receive to share the gospel all over the world. Without this power, no one could be genuinely saved. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, brings souls to Christ and brings the witness of the truth to those that hear. Without our trusting and depending upon the Holy Spirit, we just have a another religion that we can call Christianity or whatever. This is not just a religion, it is a new life, a relationship with God and our eternal future with a life forever with God. 

• Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 
• 33 Therefore 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. 
• 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 
• 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 

Those that oppose the gospel and the preachers of the word of God, may appear to win at times but its only temporary. They do not win in the long run. Sometimes its hard to remember that.

• Isaiah 110:1  Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 

There are so many proofs in the Old Testament to bear out the truth of the New if we would only search diligently for them. Notice also that the apostles never once moved away from the main message of the gospel after receiving the Holy Spirit. In fact the Holy Spirit is the helper the one God sent to empower us to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. They all work together and we all work together to spread this great wonderful news to all who will receive. This is the one reason for the baptism of the Holy Spirit so that we can more effectively preach the gospel with power and signs following to convince a lost and dying world that they need to be saved. The signs confirm the truth of the word, they do not replace the word. We preach Christ and then expect the Holy Spirit baptism to draw the sinner to salvation, give us understanding and lead us in the right direction. 

• Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 
• 37 Now 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? 
• 38 Then 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. 

Repenting is part of the gospel and should not be left out. If we want God and all He has for us, we have to be willing to change, no longer living any way the flesh desires. We now have victory to live for God, not self.

The reason Peter stressed being baptized in the name of Jesus here was not to start a certain formula as opposed to being baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 
He was speaking to Jews who formerly did not believe in any doctrine except the law that was given through Moses. They already knew about repentance and baptism but they had never heard of Jesus before. Now they were instructed to repent and believe in Jesus for remission of sins. If we are baptized by someone speaking, "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" that is perfectly okay. In fact that is how Jesus instructed them to baptize. Peter was not making a different formula than Jesus made.

• Acts 2:39 For 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. 

This promise has not ceased. Some interpret the chapter in 1 Corinthians (13) that speak of some of the gifts ceasing after that which is perfect has come as proof that the gifts of the spirit has ended. They think that it means the bible as being the perfect thing to come. However, it could not mean the bible because the scriptures Jesus and the apostles used were Old Testament. The Old Testament existed before the day of Pentecost. We see the church world today and we know certainly that we are not perfect. We still need help. We still need the gifts of the spirit. That which is perfect is the coming of the Lord. It could not mean any other thing unless we get the whole world saved, healed and living a perfect life before Jesus comes. Then and only then would we not need the gifts of the Spirit. 

They thought up the new definition of that which was perfect after the Azusa Street outpouring back in 1906. Those that opposed the new outpouring of the spirit had to find a way to refute this new outpouring so they changed the meaning of those scriptures to apply that which is perfect toward the written word when all bible theologians before 1906 taught that which was perfect was indeed the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. There are so many bible versions and different understanding of the bible that we can easily see that nothing is perfect yet. We desperately need the Holy Spirit and all the gifts He gives to us.

• Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 
• 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 
• 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
• 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 
• 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 
• 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 

This was a freewill offering from their heart. They willingly gave. It was never forced or pressured. Everyone seemed to love the Lord so much that they didn't care about their personal possessions. That was great but some have used this to force communism and socialism on whole societies. If we do that, we have to have a dictator that robs individual choices and rights. Jesus taught giving but willingly. We must strive never to get away from that. Force or arm-twisting type of pressure is never taught in the New Testament.

• Acts 2:46 And 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, 
• 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

We must never get away from dependency upon the Holy Spirit. Without Him we can do nothing. DC

Acts 3