THE BOOK OF ACTS. chapter Acts 2:1-21 OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY. MARK DUNAGAN I. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 2: I. The Coming Of The Holy Spirit: Acts 2:1-13 A. Upon The Apostles: Acts 2:1 B. The Reaction Of The Crowd: Acts 2:5-13 II. Peter's Sermon: Acts 2:14-40 A. An Accusation Handled: Acts 2:14-15 B... [ Continue Reading ]
And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. 'PENTECOST'-4005. pentekoste pen-tay-kos-tay'; feminine of the ord. of 4004; fiftieth (2250 being implied) from Passover, i.e. the festival of "Pentecost": -Pentecost. In the O.T. this Jewish feast is called: (a) The... [ Continue Reading ]
And suddenly there came from heaven. sound as of the rushing of. mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 'A SOUND AS OF THE RUSHING OF. MIGHTY WIND'-'It does not appear that there was any wind, only the sudden sound like. violent wind.' (Reese p. 47) 'Lit., of. mighty wind... [ Continue Reading ]
And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. 'TONGUES PARTING ASUNDER'-'They are called "tongues" because they were tongue-shaped in form.' (Reese p. 48). 'tongues of what appeared to be flame, separating' (TCNT). The KJV rendering "cloven... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 'OTHER TONGUES'-Which are defined as real human languages in the following verses (Acts 2:6-8). Even various translators can see this: 'in foreign tongues' (Mof); 'in foreign lan... [ Continue Reading ]
Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 'DWELLING AT JERUSALEM'-Permanently and temporarily. 'DEVOUT MEN, FROM EVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN'-'it characterizes them as the best of the adherents of the Jewish religion. They were so anxious to avoid offendi... [ Continue Reading ]
And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language. 'THIS SOUND'-The sound of rushing wind, the sound of the apostles speaking or both. 'THE MULTITUDE CAME TOGETHER'-Apparently people from the city or near... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans? 'AMAZED AND MARVELLED'-'beside themselves with wonder' (Wey). 'ARE NOT ALL THESE THAT SPEAK'-'Those who believe that more than the twelve apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pente... [ Continue Reading ]
And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born? 'AND HOW HEAR WE'-'And how is it' (NASV) We might say, 'How are they doing that?' 'IN OUR OWN LANGUAGE WHEREIN WE WERE BORN'-Even though Greek was almost universally spoken throughout the Empire, most districts or regions held on... [ Continue Reading ]
Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, 'PARTHIANS AND MEDES AND ELAMITES'-'Luke's list comprises five groupings, as he moves with his mind's eye approximately from East to West...that is peoples from the Caspian Sea westwards... [ Continue Reading ]
in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 'EGYPT AND THE PARTS OF LIBYA ABOUT CYRENE'-i.e. the region of North Africa. 'Jews had lived in Egypt continuously from the earlier parts of the 6th century B.C. and were alwa... [ Continue Reading ]
Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. 'CRETANS'-inhabitants of the island of Crete, which contained. good size Jewish population. 'ARABIANS'-'Arabia in NT is the kingdom of the Nabatean Arabs, east of Syria and Palestine, stretching from the Red Sea to... [ Continue Reading ]
And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 'PERPLEXED'-'utterly at. loss' (Rhm). 'To be wholly at. loss' (Robertson p. 24) 'SAY ONE TO ANOTHER'-'In their amazement, they turned to each other, trying to find an explanation for the astounding events..' (R... [ Continue Reading ]
But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine. 'BUT OTHERS'-'Of. different class. The first who commented on the wonder did so curiously, but with no prejudice. Those who now spoke did so in. hostile spirit.' (Vincent p. 451) Reese notes, '"others" is heteros (not allos), i.e another class... [ Continue Reading ]
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. 'PETER'-Who had been given the "keys" to open up the Kingdom of God (Matthew 16:19), to the first... [ Continue Reading ]
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 'FOR THESE ARE NOT DRUNKEN'-The charge of drunkenness must first be handled. For such. charge was very serious: 'it was. strict violation of Jewish law to drink intoxicants on. feast day, especially before noon, f... [ Continue Reading ]
but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel: 'BUT'-Far from these events being manifestations of drunkenness. 'THIS IS THAT'-The events taking place mark the beginning fulfillment of what the prophet Joel had mentioned.... [ Continue Reading ]
And it shall be in the last days, saith God,. 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: 'AND IT SHALL BE'-Quotation from Joel 2:28. 'IN THE LAST DAYS'-(Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days Will. pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 'YEA'-'And even' (Rhm) 'MY SERVANTS'-'Even on the servants--for they are mine' (TCNT). 'Slaves, actual slaves of men. The humblest classes will receive the Spirit of God (1 Corinthian... [ Continue Reading ]
And. will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:... [ Continue Reading ]
The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day. Points to Note: If one reads the O.T., they will find such language is often used in reference to God's judgment upon various nations (Isaiah 2:9 ff; Isaiah 2:1 ff; Ezekiel 2... [ Continue Reading ]
And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 'WHOSOEVER'- John 3:16. No predestination here. 'SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD'-Which involves much more than merely claiming to believe in Jesus (Matthew 7:21). In this very context, Peter will tell us what is... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth,. 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; 'HEAR THESE WORDS'-'listen to this' (TCNT); 'Oh men of Israel, listen!' (Tay). McGarvey notes, 'It is impo... [ Continue Reading ]
him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: 'BEING DELIVERED UP BY THE DETERMINATE COUNSEL AND FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD'-'in accordance with God's definite plan and with his previous knowledge' (TCNT); 'by the fixed pu... [ Continue Reading ]
whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 'WHOM GOD RAISED UP'-'Likely there had been rumors of His resurrection spreading through Jerusalem, but now Peter stands and without equivocation declares that what had been only rumore... [ Continue Reading ]
For David saith concerning him,. beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that. should not be moved: 'FOR DAVID SAITH'-'Two of Peter's affirmations in the above announcement needed further proof: (1) that Jesus had been delivered up in accordance with the predetermined pla... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope: 'THEREFORE'-Because of the assurance expressed in the previous verse. 'MY HEART WAS GLAD'-'For this my heart is gladdened' (Ber). The heart here includes the thoughts and the whole person. See Hebrews... [ Continue Reading ]
Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption. 'BECAUSE'-This is the reason for the hope, confidence and gladness expressed in the previous verse. 'MY SOUL'-Carefully note that these verses admit that man possesses. dual nature (Matthew 10:28... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance. 'THOU'-i.e. the Father. 'MADEST KNOWN'-Jesus knew beforehand that He would be raised from the dead. 'WITH THY COUNTENANCE'-'Thou wilt fill me with happiness in thy presence' (TCNT). Probably. ref... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren,. 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. 'I MAY SAY UNTO YOU FREELY'-'I can speak to you confidently about' (TCNT); 'I can speak quite plainly to you' (Mof); 'I can say this..without fear of contradiction' (K... [ Continue Reading ]
Being therefore. 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; 'BEING THEREFORE. PROPHET'-Which means that David spoke by inspiration, i.e. he was an inspired writer. 'Since the body of David was still in the tomb, and... [ Continue Reading ]
he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 'FORESEEING THIS'-i.e. the fulfillment of God's solemn oath, that one of his descendants would sit upon his (David's) throne. 'SPAKE OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE CHRIST'... [ Continue Reading ]
This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. 'THIS JESUS DID GOD RAISE UP'-David was speaking of Jesus of Nazareth. 'WHEREOF WE ALL ARE WITNESSES'-The apostles add their own eyewitness testimony. (Acts 1:8; 22). Point to Note: The testimony of the apostles should be taken seriously:... [ Continue Reading ]
Being 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. 'BY THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD'-Comparing this verse with Acts 2:30, we must conclude that when we see the expression "by the right hand o... [ Continue Reading ]
For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 'FOR DAVID ASCENDED NOT INTO THE HEAVENS'-'Peter does not demand belief upon his own assertion, but he again appeals to the Scriptures, and to words which could not have received. f... [ Continue Reading ]
Till. make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. 'TILL'-The Premillennialists have Jesus reigning when all His enemies are conquered. But that isn't what Psalms 110:1 taught. This Psalm taught the truth that the Messiah would rule while He had enemies (Psalms 110:2 'Rule in the midst of Thine en... [ Continue Reading ]
Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified. 'THEREFORE'-The conclusion that must be drawn from the above facts and Scriptures. 'KNOW ASSUREDLY'-'know beyond all doubt' (TCNT); 'accept as certain' (NEB). 'be assure... [ Continue Reading ]
Now 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? 'HEARD THIS'-'If Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the appointed Messiah, then no guilt could be greater than of treating Him as He had been treated. They had refused... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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. 'REPENT'-3340. metanoeo met-an-o-eh'-o; from 3326 and 3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (moral... [ Continue Reading ]
For 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. 'FOR TO YOU IS THE PROMISE'-Peter isn't referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for that wasn't promised to everyone (John 14:26). The promise probably includes s... [ Continue Reading ]
And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. 'WITH MANY OTHER WORDS'-Indicating that Peter continued to preach. 'Showing that Luke does not pretend to give all that Peter said.' (Robertson p. 36) Carefully note the integrity of the... [ Continue Reading ]
They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. 'RECEIVED HIS WORD'-588. apodechomai ap-od-ekh'-om-ahee; from 575 and 1209; to take fully, i.e. welcome (persons), approve (things): -accept, receive (gladly). -'receiving with ap... [ Continue Reading ]
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. 'AND THEY'-the new converts, the 3000 baptized in Acts 2:41. Here we find some of the obligations of membership. Salvation brings responsibilities (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 15:58).... [ Continue Reading ]
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 'FEAR CAME UPON EVERY SOUL'-This may refer to the awe and reverence which fell upon these early Christians. 'There was. sense of awe at what God was doing in His world.' (Reese p. 84) 'The conviction of sin th... [ Continue Reading ]
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 'WERE TOGETHER'-i.e. not together in the same house. But rather, united in mind and purpose. This verse informs us that unity can be achieved without watering down the doctrines found in the Bible. They had unity, because they all agre... [ Continue Reading ]
and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. Points to Note: Unfortunately, some have claimed that the early Christians practiced communism. But carefully notice the language of the text: (a) 'This is not...were everything is confiscated and plac... [ Continue Reading ]
And 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, 'DAY BY DAY'-'Through the weeks that followed the day of Pentecost.' (Reese p. 86) 'WITH ONE ACCORD'-'with one intent' (Rhm); 'they met by co... [ Continue Reading ]
praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved. 'PRAISING GOD'-(Acts 3:8). 'continually praising God' (TCNT). In their public and private lives, in the temple and at home, these Christians continued to give God all the credit. How dif... [ Continue Reading ]