Today’s study has a few titles. Verses 1-13 The coming of the Holy Spirit, The Day of Pentecost. Verses 14-42 Peter’s address at Pentecost. Verses 43-47 Life among the believers. Acts 2 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 2:1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Pentecost means; The fiftieth day (50) after Passover. This was the second holy day of the three. Called Feast of Weeks before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus told them when he was still with them in Acts 1 to stay in Jerusalem until the promise from the Father would come to pass. Here are the last words Jesus spoke to them before he was taken up from them on the mount of Olives. Acts 1 and verse 4 reads.
Acts 1:4] And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
[5] For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
[6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
They asked if this would be the second advent, and Jesus would say no.
Acts 1:7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Telling them this is the time that the Holy Spirit would come into them and it shall speak through them to first Jerusalem, then to their brothers of Israel and then to all the world. This is important because in a moment we will see it first speaks to those in Jerusalem. Back to Acts 2 and verse 2 reads.
Acts 2:2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
The word Wind here is G4151 Pnuema in the Greek and comes from H7307 Ruwach in the Hebrew and they both means; Holy Spirit. Now before we go on, let’s look at prophecy from Isaiah concerning the end times. We will see why the twelve would get these two times (the first advent and the second advent) confused. Isaiah 2 and verse 1 reads.
Isa.2:1] the word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
[2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
[3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Out of Zion goes forth the law, Jesus Christ. And notice it first begins at Jerusalem. This is why his apostles mixed up the days, and why Jesus needed to tell them the end was not for them to be concerned with. Also prophesied in Micah 4:1-2. Back to Acts 2 and verse 3 reads.
Acts 2:3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Here is where many teachers go wrong. Here we have the Holy Spirit entering into the twelve. Notice cloven tongues, let’s look closely at this word Cloven. It is G1266 diamerizō pronounced dee-am-er-id’-zo. And means; to divide and to distribute. Only the Holy Spirit can do this, this is the voice of God. When he speaks, everyone hears him in the language in which they were born. None can do this but the LORD. It never said this language was never understood, but on the contrary, everyone understood. Some have made a religion out of speaking Babel, Babel is confusion. Back to Acts 2 and verse 4 reads.
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.
This should remind you of when we are delivered up to the antichrist that the LORD will give you in that hour what to say. This is the only unpardonable sin, to deny the Holy Spirit to speak through you in that hour. Let’s go to Luke 12 and verse 10 reads.
Luke 12:10] And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
[11] And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
[12] For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
And Jesus teaching about how it will be in the end times says this in Mark 13 and verse 11 reads.
Mark 13:11] But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Again, this was why his apostles didn’t quite understand which advent Jesus was speaking about in Acts 1:6. Back to Acts 2 and verse 5 reads.
Acts 2:5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
All these people came from all over the world to worship. These are Israelites of the house of Jacob. Not only from the house of Judah, but of all twelve tribes of Israel. They did this three times a year, the Passover, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and The Feast of Tabernacles. This is why I can say that Simon, the one who carried the cross for Jesus, was not a gentile but of the house of Jacob.
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.
This word Confounded would be better translated as Amazed. I want you to read that clearly, it said that “Every man heard them speak in his own language” not in an unknown tongue. Many churches teach that it was in an unknown tongue and if you don’t speak in gibberish then you won’t receive the Holy Spirit. That is a false doctrine and should be treated as such.
Acts 2:7] 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?
Aren’t these men Galileaeans, then how is it they are speaking in our language? Here we see that confounded is properly translated amazed. But notice they even said “wherein we were born” meaning from the many countries that they traveled from to come to Jerusalem to worship. Now we will see from how many different countries they have traveled from, don’t overlook just how many languages that there will be. All are different from these in Jerusalem which mainly spoke Greek.
Acts 2:9] 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,
A proselyte is one who is converted into Judaism. The list continues.
Acts 2:11] Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
What did they hear? The wonderful works of God. And all in the language in which they were born, knowing that there were many people from many nations, they knew that this went out (cloven) in many different languages.
Acts 2:12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
What could this mean? It meant that only God, the Holy Spirit, can do this. This was the Works of God.
Acts 2:13] Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Funny how they said “Aren’t these Galilaeans” for it is written in Galatians 6 and verse 7 reads.
Gal.6:7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Back to Acts 2 and verse 14 reads.
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.
This would be about 9 am. in the morning, and against Hebrew law. Let’s go to 1Thessalonians 5 and verse 6 reads.
1Thes.5:6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
[7] For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
[8] But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
Speaking of the watchmen in the end times, put on that gospel armor and watch. Don’t overlook it said here, “are of the day” being God’s children. Back to Acts 2 and verse 16 reads.
Acts 2:16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
We will go there in a minute, I want you to take away from this that Peter is still speaking in that cloven tongue that all still understand in their own language. Peter is quoting Joel 2.
Acts 2:17] 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:
Peter is speaking of the second advent. This was spoken to them for an example to us in these end times. Joel 2 and verse 28 reads.
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.
Back to Acts 2 and verse 18 reads.
Acts 2:18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Peter was speaking to you and me in these days. Notice both man and woman would prophesy in the end times, never say a woman should not teach because the LORD says they will. Let’s go to Mark 13 and verse 9 reads.
Mark 13:9] But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
[10] And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
[11] But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
This is our destiny, to be delivered up to the antichrist during the sixth trump. We will stand and not fly away, but stand with that gospel armor on. I want you to notice that we don’t speak but the Holy Spirit will speak through us in that hour. This will be hard for God’s Elect because I know they have a lot to say to Satan, keep your mouth shut. The LORD will open your mouth and the LORD will speak through you. This is the Pentecost tongue. Back to Acts 2 and verse 19 reads.
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:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Not until the antichrist stands where he ought not, 2Thes.2:4, will Jesus return at the seventh trump. This is written throughout the Word of God for your understanding. How is it that churches don’t teach this? They are either blinded from the truth, or are deceiving their congregation on purpose. Back to Acts 2 and verse 22 reads.
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:
This “Men of Israel” proves there are many of the tribes there for the Feast of Weeks celebration. Judah is but one of the twelve tribes, here he says Israel being the house of Jacob, his name being changed to Israel. This leads to much confusion today, but that is a study in itself. Back to Acts 2 and verse 23 reads.
Acts 2:23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Speaking of the Kenites that are among them, fulfilling Psalms 22.
Acts 2:24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
This is written in Hebrews 2 and verse 14 reads.
Heb.2:14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Back to Acts 2 and verse 25 reads.
Acts 2:25] 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:
Let’s go to Psalms 16 and verse 8 reads.
Psa.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.
We rest in Jesus and he is our hope and our salvation. Back to Acts 2 and verse 26 reads.
Acts 2:26] 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.
Let’s go back to Psalms 16 and verse 10 reads.
Psa.16:10] For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
[11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
We see here the Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, is teaching them many scriptures, from Joel to Psalms and much more. Remember he is still speaking in that cloven tongue. Back to Acts 2 and verse 29 reads.
Acts 2:29] 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.
He also spoke of this in Acts 13 and verse 35 reads.
Acts 13:35] Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
[36] For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
David saw corruption, he died and his flesh became dust. Jesus died on the cross, and rose again on the third day and was resurrected, seeing no corruption. Back to Acts 2 and verse 30 reads.
Acts 2:30] 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;
Let’s go to 2Sam.7 and verse 12 reads.
2Sam.7:12] And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
[13] He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
Speaking of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Yes, David was a prophet, Psalms 22 alone giving us the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and many more Psalms of prophecies. Back to Acts 2 and verse 31 reads.
Acts 2:31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Note that David saw this before, his vision revealed in Psa.16:11 which we covered above.
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.
Promised by Jesus in Acts 1:8, being fulfilled here before them in Acts 2. Remember it is the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter to all of those from other countries. Only the Holy Spirit can do this. It is not an unknown language, but known by all of them standing before Peter. Also prophesied by David in Psalms 68 and verse 18 reads.
Psa.68:18] Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
[19] Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Notice this word Selah, it means; stop and meditate on what was just said, now he will connect a truth to that which was said.
Psa.68:20] He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
The promise of Salvation, Jesus Christ. Back to Acts 2 and verse 34 reads.
Acts 2:34] 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.
Peter, just checking, the Holy Spirit is quoting Psalms 110 and verse 1 reads.
Psa.110:1] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
[2] The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
[3] Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
[4] The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Melchi is Greek for Melek which is Hebrew and both mean; King. Zedek is Hebrew and means; the Just One or Priest. KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Notice that Melchizedek has both Greek and Hebrew to make up his name. From Genesis through Revelation, his name is The Word of God, Jesus Christ.
Psa.110:5] The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
Not at the first advent, that was for Salvation. But, at his second advent, the seventh trump, he comes with a rod of iron.
Psa.110:6] He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
[7] He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Those people in Jerusalem are receiving an awesome lesson from the Holy Spirit. Lift up the head, from our first prophecy in God’s Word, Gen.3:15; they shall bruise his heels (when they nailed them to the cross) and he will bruise his head. Back to Acts 2 and verse 36 reads.
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.
That must have hurt, to learn that they have crucified the Messiah. Now when asked, Peter himself will answer them.
Acts 2:37] 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.
To be Baptized means to confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Then on repentance the Holy Spirit will come to you and dwell within you.
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.
Promised back in Joel 2, which we covered above and will revisit, verse 27 reads.
Joel 2:27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
[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.
Are you a servant or handmaid to the LORD, let’s not forget Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Back to Acts 2 and verse 40 reads.
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.
Three thousand souls came to Jesus Christ because of the Holy Spirit that spoke from the lips of Peter in that day. Just think how many souls that will come out of confusion, Babel, in that day when the Elect are delivered up to the antichrist. Our destiny awaits.
Acts 2:42] 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.
Signs are miracles. Fear is Reverence, love.
Acts 2:44] 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.
[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.
And the church, which Jesus had built on Peter, grew daily. What an awesome chapter in God’s Word. I hope you took away from this chapter that the Holy Spirit speaks with a cloven tongue, understood by all who hear it in the language in which they are born. Not an unknown tongue that speaks Babel, or confusion, that is of the antichrist and is not of God. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible