Acts 2

Verses 1-4

• This event is the "baptism with the Holy Spirit" Jesus spoke about in Acts 1:5.

  • ​Verse 2-3. Because this was the very first time that the Spirit fell in power, it was very dramatic, with tangible wind and fire. This is an exceptional event; we should not expect the same experience when we are baptized in the Spirit. In fact, when you are baptized in the Spirit, you may not notice a difference at all in the same moment, just as you may not know or mark the moment you were saved.

• When believers are filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts are given (1 Corinthians 12). One of these gifts can be the gift of tongues.

• "Tongues" is a type of heavenly language that even angels speak (1 Corinthians 13:1). It can be used to communicate with God (1 Cor. 14:2) and it can be used to communicate to people as well (through the additional gift of interpretation) (Acts 2:6)

  • Verse 4. “...as the Spirit gave them utterance” – The Spirit gives the ability to speak in tongues; it cannot be forced or fabricated. If you have this gift, you will be able to speak freely.

  • Do not think you must speak in tongues just because others do. If you feel like you're forcing it, you may not have the gift of tongues, and that's ok. Not every believer has the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30).

Verses 5-13

• Verse 6. “...Everyone heard them speak is his own language.” There were many different languages from all over the known world represented in this crowd of people. But when the disciples spoke in tongues, each individual in the crowd heard the tongues in his own unique language! 

  • ​This indicates that just as the disciple experienced the gift of tongues, some of the bystanders experienced the gift of interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:13-14).
  • Q&A: What Is the Gift of Interpretation? The gift of interpretation is the gift to translate tongues. If a person truly possesses the gift of interpretation, they will hear every word in their own language - it is a word-for-word translation.
• ​Part of the miraculous nature of the gift of tongues is that it can be heard/understood in any human language, and even in multiple languages at the same time (depending on the native language of the hearer). This is one reason why the gift of tongues is not merely the ability to speak in a real, foreign human language. If this were the case, why can tongues be heard in multiple languages at the same time?
  • Q&A: Is the Gift of Tongues Only Speaking Unknown Human Languages? Some people think that the gift of tongues is only the ability to literally speak in an unknown human language. Although this can be included in what the gift of tongues can do, this single understanding can be misleading, for two main reasons:
    • 1. 1 Corinthians 14:2 says that "no one understands" a tongues-speaker unless the gift of interpretation is present. If no human can understand tongues unless the additional spiritual gift to translate is present, then tongues cannot simply be a foreign human language, otherwise someone would be able to naturally understand it.
    • 2. Some people in the crowd did not understand the tongues, and mocked it instead (Acts 2:13). If the disciples were all speaking intelligble human languages, why did some people not understand them and think they were drunk? This passage also shows us an example of tongues as described in 1 Corinthians 14:22 - "for a sign...to unbelievers”. It is normally discouraged to speak in tongues out loud in public. This can be dangerous because people may not understand you, and mock you for it. Why? See Verse 13. The people in this crowd who had hardened hearts did not understand the tongues, and that's why they mocked it. But speaking in tongues to a foreign unbeliever works (they will understand / interpret you) if they have a soft, God-fearing heart (Acts 2:5). But hardened, scornful, or bitter people will not understand you.

Verses 14-21

• Verses 17-18. “The last days” began on this day. We have been in the last days for the past two-thousand years. 

  • As part of the last days, God gives the power of the Spirit (with spiritual gifts) to all kinds of people—now anyone who believes and obeys the Word—whereas, in the Old Testament, only a select few people could possess the power of the Spirit. 

    • If you are a believer, remember that God has qualified you to have the power of the Spirit in your life, so long as you choose to obey the Word (Acts 5:32).

Verses 17-36

• The Old Testament foretold both the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Peter used Joel 2 and Psalm 16 to reveal this. 

  • Our faith is based on thousands of years of prophecy that is still being fulfilled! Trust the Word!

• Verses 17-21. God has given signs to the world that the judgment of the end is coming. In our lives, the evidence of the Holy Spirit is given to believers to help prove to others that God is real and that His judgment is coming. We are meant to preach that everyone who sincerely calls on the Lord Jesus in repentance from sin and belief in Him will be saved. 

• Verses 22-24. God intended that Jesus suffer and die. It was no accident; it was sacrifice on God's part for our salvation, since He had to suffer for us. But there was no loss in the end because Jesus was raised from death. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23); since Jesus had no sin He could not stay dead.

  • This is a reminder that there is no regretful loss when we sacrifice something for God. You will never regret giving up what the flesh wants to do what the Spirit says instead. What you will gain (eternal life) is far better.

• Verse 33. Peter highlights here, as in verse 38, that the promise of the Holy Spirit is of great importance. 

  • The Holy Spirit renews and seals us for eternal life (Titus 3:5, Ephesians 1:13-14), and the Holy Spirit empowers us to do  God's works (Luke 24:49). Apart from salvation itself, the Spirit is the greatest gift! Value the Holy Spirit greatly, and praise God for it!

Verses 37-40

• Verse 37. People will be interested in salvation when they are convicted of their sins. Do expose people's sin when you share the gospel.

  • Then, watch for the moment when unbelievers realize their sins and feel bad about them. This is a sign that they are ready to hear what they must do to be saved.

• Verse 38. This is another reminder that people must turn from their sins (repent) and believe, in order to be saved. It is simple.

  • Being baptized in water is also an essential part of belief. It is a first act of belief for a person being saved. Encourage new believers to be baptized!

• Verse 39. The promises of both salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit are for any believer in any generation of time. 

  • Believe that the power of the Spirit is for you! It did not end with the apostles.

Verses 40-47

• Verse 41. After repenting, believing, and being baptized, then new converts should join a church.

  • Walk new believers through these three things before you formally add them to your church.

• Verses 42-46. With your fellow believers, gather often to build close relationships. Eat together, pray together, learn the Bible together, and help each other grow. Start here, and you will begin to see you life over time look like the book of Acts.

• Verse 47. Remember that God is always working to get people saved! Be like Him and work to do the same!