Acts 2:1-15

This is our second article from the book of Acts. This article covers the first fifteen verses of chapter two.

The events recorded in this chapter occur ten days after Jesus ascends back to the Father in heaven. And fifty days after the Passover on which He was crucified. This day was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 2:2-3 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.  (3)  Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Joel 2:28-32 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.  (29) And also, on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.  (30) “And I will show 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 coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.  (32) And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.

The human penman Luke the evangelist does not spare words in describing the events on this day. The day of Pentecost had fully arrived. We learn shortly that this event happened in the third hour of the day (vs 15). But what was this event, that is so great. It is the birthday of the church.

There were signs that accompanied this great event.

* a sound from heaven, like a rushing mighty wind – please read the scripture carefully. The Word of God does not say there was a rushing mighty wind, but it says there was a sound LIKE a rushing mighty wind. This sound filled the entire house where the disciples had assembled.

* the appearance of divided flames of fire – I used to wonder if the fire burned their scalps and hair. I have given up on that silly question, because the word of God does not say that this was actual fire. But rather flames like fire.

* the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost – This is the fulfillment of a promise; this is not the same as the command found later in the New Testament. See Luke 24:49, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8.

* the disciples began to speak in other languages – EVERY SINGLE usage of this word “tongues” means languages. These were not heavenly or angelic languages. But they were languages in common use at that time. And these were languages that the disciples had not studied and learned by years of diligent effort.

The amazing things that happened on this day in the upper room attracted a crowd of people. And the people who came were amazed, because they recognized that these men were largely unschooled in foreign languages, but they heard their speech in their own language. Please see Acts 2:6-8. There were at least 13 ethnic groups that came together. And each group heard the good news of Jesus proclaimed in his/her own language.

As one studies the New Testament it becomes evident that miracles always draw opposition. The opposition to this event came very quickly. As the onlookers were watching these events unfold many wondered what the meaning behind all this was. But some accused the disciples of being intoxicated already.

This false accusation and the honest inquiry demanded a proper response so Peter stood up and began a sermon. His first statements reminded the critics that it was only about 9 AM. So, it was very unlikely that these godly men were already intoxicated.

I started this article by explaining that this event had been the birthday of the LORD’s church. This is a theme that will be developed more as we proceed. But I should close with a couple passages.

Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

1 Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.