Verses 1-4
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When believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts are given (1 Corinthians 12). One of these gifts is the gift of tongues.
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Verse 4. “...as the Spirit gave them utterance” – The Spirit gives the ability to speak in tongues; it cannot be forced or fabricated.
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Not every believer has the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:30).
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Do not speak in tongues if you have to force it. If the Spirit has given you that gift, when you speak, you will be able to do it easily.
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Verses 5-13
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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!
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This means that the miracle of the gift of tongues is that it can be heard in any human language, and even in multiple languages at the same time.
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Tongues is not described as an ability to speak in a human language you do not know. It is described as a language of “stammering lips” (Isaiah 28:11) that can be understood by the hearer in his native language. The miracle is in what people hear, not necessarily in what you speak.
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Therefore, do not worry about what you sound like when you speak in tongues. It may sound like stammering lips to you, but to the right foreigner, they could hear you in their native language!
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There are three contexts that the gift of tongues can be used in. This passage shows us the evangelistic context—when it is used as a way to intrigue unbelievers, or as a “sign...to unbelievers” (1 Corinthians 14:22).
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Try speaking in tongues, for example, as you pray for an unbelieving foreigner you are trying to share Christ with. But keep in mind that they may or may not understand you.
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Verse 13. The people in this crowd who had hardened hearts did not understand the tongues, and that's why they mocked it.
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Speaking in tongues to a foreign unbeliever only works—they will only understand you—if they have a heart that's soft enough. Hardened, scornful, or bitter people will not understand you.
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Verses 14-21
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Verses 17-18. “The last days” began on this day. We have been in the last days for the past two-thousand years.
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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.
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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).
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Verses 17-36
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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.
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Our faith is based on thousands of years of prophecy that is still being fulfilled! Trust the Word!
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Verse 33. Peter highlights here, as in verse 38, that the promise of the Holy Spirit is of great importance.
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The Holy Spirit saves us (Titus 3:5), and the Holy Spirit empowers us (Luke 24:49). Apart from salvation, the Spirit is the greatest gift! Value the Holy Spirit greatly, and praise God for it!
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Verses 37-40
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Verse 37. People will be interested in salvation when they are convicted of their sins.
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Watch for moments 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.
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Verse 38. This is another reminder that people must turn from their sins and believe, in order to be saved.
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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!
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Verse 39. The promises of both salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit are for any believer in any generation of time.
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Believe that the power of the Spirit is for you! It did not end with the apostles.
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Verses 40-47
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Verse 41. After repenting, believing, and being baptized, then new converts should join a church.
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Walk new believers through these three things before you formally add them to your church.
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Verses 42-46. With your fellow believers, gather often, build close relationships, eat together, pray together, learn the Bible together, and take care of each other.
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Verse 47. Remember that God is always working to get people saved! Be like Him and work to do the same!