Acts 2 - Introduction

The Kingdom Of God Came With Power Acts Two

The Lord Jesus had promised, "Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." (Mark 9:1) Acts Chapter Two provides a record of the kingdom of God or the church coming with power.

On the day of Pentecost following our Lord's resurrection the disciples were assembled and waiting in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father to be fulfilled. According to Isaiah the word of the Lord was to go forth from Jerusalem. "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." (Isaiah 2:3)

On that Pentecost day the Holy Ghost came on the apostles with a sound as a mighty rushing wind. There appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire. The apostles were given power to speak in languages that they had never studied. This was to make it possible for them to preach to Jews from every nation in their own language. The reactions were very different as to what happened on Pentecost: (1) some of the people said the apostles were drunk. (2) Some of the people were astonished to hear the apostles declare the wonderful works of God. (3) The apostles were sure that this was a fulfillment of what the prophets had spoken.

The apostles used the events of Pentecost to preach Jesus to these people. Peter's sermon had three points: (1) He spoke of how Jesus fulfilled prophecy, (2) He spoke of the great miracle working ministry of Jesus, and (3) He spoke of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This sermon both alarmed and convinced many that heard it.

The people inquired as to what they must do. They were told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, for the remission of sins. The gift of the Holy Ghost was promised to those that obey. About 3,000 people gladly received the word and were baptized. These saved people were added to the church. Those in the church enjoyed a wonderful fellowship.