Acts 2:1–15

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

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Acts 2:1–15

The Spirit Given (1–4)

After Jesus ascended into heaven the disciples were waiting in Jerusalem, just as Jesus had told them. The day was Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks (see Ex. 34:22). The word “Pentecost” is based upon the Greek word for “fiftieth” because it takes place 50 days after Easter. The gathering of the disciples shows the value and necessity to gather with fellow believers. After Jesus ascended it was beneficial to have each other to depend on for community, support and prayer. Suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in foreign languages — actual languages that other people understood. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit of which John the Baptist spoke in Luke 3:16.

The Questions Asked (5–13)

Many people were gathered in Jerusalem at this time because of the Feast of Weeks. This was an important celebration in the Jewish calendar, and so Jews from all over the Roman Empire would have been present. Many of these Jews would not have known Hebrew.

When the disciples were speaking, each person present heard them speak in their own language — yet the disciples were all from Galilee and likely spoke Aramaic. How is it they were speaking foreign languages without studying them? Some accused them of being drunk but this was the Holy Spirit using these disciples to get the gospel out to the nations. What better way to spread the gospel than by letting visitors hear it — visitors who would return to their own countries and become the missionaries there.

It’s important for Christians today to realize their calling as missionaries in their own neighborhoods and vocations. We already know English and our own culture. Since we have this advantage, we need to utilize it and recognize the ministry God has given each of us here in our own “Jerusalem.”

The Opportunity Seized (14–15)

Peter stood up and explained to the people what was happening and why it was happening, taking advantage of the situation to preach the gospel. Peter was fulfilling what Jesus had commanded back in Acts 1:8 — he had received the power of the Holy Spirit and was now being a witness for Christ and the gospel. For support of this event, Peter pointed to the Scriptures providing two key examples. Peter first demonstrates the importance of supporting his interpretation from biblical texts. For any Christian, the Bible is the source of knowledge about who God is and what He wants for us. Today some Christians hold to views that go against the teaching of the Bible. If God has revealed Himself to us through the Bible, why would we look elsewhere for information about how God wants us to live? The Bible is just as applicable today as it was when it was first penned, and it will continue to be just as relevant until Christ returns.

The second example Peter provides is that the Old Testament is still valid. Many Christians downplay or overlook the Old Testament today, but for the early Church this was the Bible. When Peter was speaking at Pentecost he didn’t have access to the written gospels or letters found in the New Testament. These were still to be written. But the events of the New Testament are all prefigured and alluded to in the Old Testament and it is crucial for Christians to know the Old Testament to properly understand the New Testament.