ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:1 PENTECOST was the second of the annual harvest festivals. It came 50 days after Passover. ALL most likely included the 120 assembled in the upper room (Acts 1:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:2 Jesus compared the Holy Spirit’s work to the wind in John 3:8. The HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE SITTING probably was the upper room (Acts 1:13), which must have been close to the temple grounds. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length,... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:3 The DIVIDED TONGUES AS OF FIRE were not literal flames, but they looked enough like fire that this was the best description. “Fire” in the OT often indicates God’s presence. It also symbolizes his holiness and purity (Exodus 3:2; Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 4:5). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:4 FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT fulfills what Jesus promised (see notes on 1:5; 1:8). This marked the beginning of the new covenant age, which will last until Jesus returns. SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES. The word translated “tongues” can also be translated “languages,” and that is the se... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:5 The crowd’s presence indicates that the setting is the temple grounds. This was the only place in Jerusalem that could accommodate more than 3,000 persons (v. Acts 2:41). The fact that they were DWELLING IN JERUSALEM suggests that both Jewish pilgrims and local residents were p... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:9 The list of nations covers most of the first-century Roman world, particularly areas where Jewish communities existed. At Pentecost the Christians start their worldwide witness. At this point the converts were mainly Jewish. The only Gentiles at Pentecost were PROSELYTES, Genti... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:14 The Witness in Jerusalem. Beginning with Peter’s sermon at Pentecost and continuing through ch. Acts 5:1, the Christians’ witness is limited to the city of Jerusalem and restricted to Jews. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.leng... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:17 The LAST DAYS began at Pentecost (see Hebrews 1:2). They will continue until Christ’s return. Most rabbis believed the Spirit stopped speaking through human prophets with the last of the OT prophets. Joel’s prophecy of an outpouring of the Spirit ON ALL FLESH was understood as... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:19 The darkened SUN and bloody MOON, whether literal or symbolic, indicate the end of the earth. Peter included the full prophecy even though not all of it was yet fulfilled at this time. EVERYONE WHO CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED (Joel 2:32). The “name of the Lo... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:23 Although Jesus was DELIVERED UP ACCORDING TO THE DEFINITE PLAN AND FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD, that still did not remove responsibility from those who contributed to his death. Peter goes on to say, “YOU CRUCIFIED AND KILLED” him (see notes on 3:13–16; 3:17; 4:27). BY THE HANDS OF L... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:25 Peter quotes Psalms 16:8 as pointing to Jesus’ resurrection. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:29 Both the OT (1 Kings 2:10; Nehemiah 3:16) and early Jewish tradition locate David’s TOMB on the south side of Jerusalem. Peter may be referring to an earlier traditional tomb not far from where he was speaking. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:33 The personal and orderly relationship among the persons of the Trinity is evident in this verse. When Christ’s work on earth was accomplished, he was EXALTED to the second highest position of authority in the universe, AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. On Pentecost, Jesus himself POUR... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:34 When Peter says that David DID NOT ASCEND INTO THE HEAVENS, he is referring to his body. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:38 Faith in Jesus as Savior is implied in the commands to REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED... IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS. Repentance includes a change of mind that results in trusting God (that is, having faith). On repentance, see note on Matt. 3:2. The w... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:39 Peter’s word that the promise was not just for the Jews who were listening but FOR ALL WHO ARE FAR OFF implies the inclusion of Gentiles (compare Ephesians 2:13, Ephesians 2:17). EVERYONE WHOM THE LORD OUR GOD CALLS TO HIMSELF. Salvation is ultimately God’s work. It comes to t... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:40 MANY OTHER WORDS. Luke provided only a small portion of Peter’s sermon. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:41 The THREE THOUSAND converts at Pentecost were ADDED to the initial 120 believers (Acts 1:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:42 APOSTLES’ TEACHING. They shared what Jesus taught them before and after his resurrection. FELLOWSHIP included the sharing of material goods (v. Acts 2:44). The BREAKING OF BREAD (vv. Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46) was likely both the Lord’s Supper and a larger fellowship meal. PRAYERS... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:44 ALL THINGS IN COMMON. Some have seen this as a sort of socialist arrangement. This is clearly not the case, since (1) the giving was voluntary and (2) people still had personal possessions (see Acts 12:12; Acts 18:7). Further, Peter told Ananias and Sapphira that they did not... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:45 On generosity among Christians, see 2 Corinthians 8:9. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 2:47 AND THE LORD ADDED TO THEIR NUMBER. God alone can enable people to repent and believe. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]