Grace Bible Church

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Sermon Study Sheets

Pastor Scott L. Harris

Grace Bible Church, NY

September 18, 2005

The Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1- 13

This morning we will be studying Acts 2:1-13 in which Luke gives an account of the events that took place on the day of Pentecost following Jesus’ ascension. This is one of the most significant events described in Acts not only because of its fulfillment of Jesus’ promise given in Acts 1:5 which would enable the Apostles to carry out His command to be His witnesses to the world, but it also marks the birth of the Church as the Body of Christ. This is the transition from the Old Covenant in which the law was external and the Holy Spirit would come and go to the New Covenant in which the law becomes internal as the Holy Spirit continually abides in the believer.

2:1 And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and marveled, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 “And how is it that we each hear [them] in our own language to which we were born? 9 “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs– we hear them in our [own] tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God. ” 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were mocking and saying, “They are full of sweet wine.”

The Day of Pentecost

(vs. 1)

The Greek text begins this chapter with the conjunction “and” which ties what occurs here on the day of Pentecost to the sequence of events Luke reported in chapter 1. In 1:4,5 we found that Jesus hadcommanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” [He said,] “you heard of from Me;5for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”What was promised had now come. But why this particular day? Why on Pentecost?

The Significance of Pentecost

Pentecost (penthkosthv / pentLkostos) means “fiftieth” and was the Greek name given to theFeast of Harvest (Exod. 23:16) which occurred 50 days from the Feast of Firstfruits which occurred the day after the Sabbath of Passover. This was the beginning of the barley harvest. [A fascinating historical fact is that though the Sadducees and the Pharisees had different methods of calculating the Feast of Firstfruits, the year that Jesus died on Passover, which was Nisan 14, by both methods of calculation the Feast of Firstfruits was on Nisan 16, the day that Jesus rose from the dead as the firstfruits of those who are asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20)].The Feast of Harvest is also called the Feast of Weeks (Exod. 34:22) because it is calculated by counting seven weeks from the Feast of Firstfruits and holding it the next day (Lev. 23:15-15; cf. Deut. 16:9-10).Pentecost is the second of the three great Jewish feasts that required males to appear before the Lord God (Exod. 34:23),and it celebrated the start of the wheat harvest. It was also the conclusion of the Passover season. There would not be any more major holy days until Autumn. On the day of Pentecost in that year, there would not only be the conclusion of the Passover season and the start of the wheat harvest,there would be a conclusion to the Old Covenant and the beginning of a new harvest of souls brought about by the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Situation is described in verse 1 that “they were all together in one place.”Verse 2 adds that this was in a house in which they were seated. Because of the near context this is assumed to be the Upper Room mentioned in chapter one. The “all” would have included the 120 or so that were gathered when Matthias was chosen as the replacement for Judas. The fact they were seated shows they were not praying at that moment, for common positions for prayer among the Jews include standing, kneeling and even laying prostrate, but not sitting.

The Baptism of the Spirit

(vs. 2,3)

Fulfilment of Prophecy. So it is that at a moment when they were not expecting it,Jesus’ promise made to them in 1:5 that they would “be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now”was fulfilled. The Prophet Joel had said this would happen (Joel 2:28-32), and John the Baptist said that Jesus would bring it about (Luke 3:16; John 1:31-33). Verse 2 describes this coming suddenly. The same word is used to describe the sudden coming of an earthquake in Acts 16:26. Though they knew He was coming soon and were waiting for it, the coming of the Holy Spirit still took them by surprise. The Holy Spirit manifested His coming in 3 ways in 2 events.

His Manifestation

The first event was the arrival of the Holy Spirit and manifesting Himself in two ways.

Noise (vs. 2) was the first manifestation. Our text describes this as there suddenly coming from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind. It sounded like a strong wind bearing down upon them from out of heaven. Please note the use of the comparative particle “like” (w{sper / hôsper). This is a figure of speech using a simile to describe the sound that occurred and not a statement that an actual violent, rushing wind came upon them. This noise filled the whole house where they were sitting. Luke states that this sound came from out of heaven. Theologically we know that the Holy Spirit comes from heaven (Mt. 3:16; Jn 1:32), so that would be the point of origin of this sound. (The text would be non specific and could just as easily be translated as “out of the sky”as just a notation of direction).

Appearance (vs. 3) of tongues as of fire was the second manifestation. After the noise filled the house what appeared to be something like tongues of fire sat upon the heads of each one present. Again, this is figurative speech. It was not real fire, but something else that had an appearance similar to fire. Think of this appearance more in terms of the flames of a campfire and not a single flame. This was a supernatural phenomena that manifested itself upon each one of them.

It should be noted that these two events came upon them both as a group and as individuals. The noise filled the whole house. Everyone in it was immersed in the sound. Everyone in the room also had the tongues as of fire upon them, but this was upon each one as individuals. The Holy Spirit’s coming was upon the whole and upon each individual. Believers make up a whole, the body of Christ, but each are individually members of it (Romans 12:5).

Filled with the Spirit and Speaking in Other Tongues

(vs. 4)

The coming of the Holy Spirit also resulted in each one of them being filled with the Spirit which then resulted in the third outward sign of His coming upon thembeginning to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Before we give further explanation about the nature of this miracle or distinguish between the baptism of the Spirit and the filling of the Spirit, it is important to note that all of this is being done according to the moving of the Holy Spirit and not any specific action on their part. I stress that first because a failure to understand this has resulted in many errors regarding the Holy Spirit and His ministry. There are many people that have a foundational belief that they can get God to do what they want, and that includes directing the Holy Spirit.

The Moving of the Holy Spirit

Recall Jesus’ words to Nicodemus inJohn 3 “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” You do not control the wind and neither do you control the Holy Spirit. He goes and does what He wants.The same emphasis is made in 1 Corinthians 12 regarding spiritual gifts and ministries. Verse 7 states “but to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”Each gift, ministry and effect of ministry comes from God as He decides for the benefit of His church. None of these things are given for personal gain, but rather for the common good. In verses 8-10 Paul lists out some of the spiritual gifts and then in verse 11 he emphasizes God’s role stating, “but one and the same Spirit works all thesethings, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”Here in Acts we find that the Spirit comes upon them suddenly while they are sitting together, and again, sitting was not a position in which Jews would pray. The manifestation of the tongues as of fire rests upon each of them. Everyone of them is filled with the Holy Spirit, and then as the Spirit was giving them utterance they were beginning to speak in other languages. All of this was done according to God’s will and timing. No human caused it to happen.

Spirit Baptism and Filling

It also must be pointed out early that there is a big difference between being baptized with the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. Too many people have made doctrine based in what happens here in Acts 2 that is in disagreement with what occurs throughout the rest of Acts and what is taught in the Epistles. Here in Acts 2 the coming of the Holy Spirit manifests Himself in two ways that are not clearly repeated again.There is no record that the noise like a violent, rushing wind, or the tongues as of fire happened again. (Though some suggest that Peter’s comment in Acts 11:16,17 may indicate the tongues as of fire occurred when the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius in Acts 10:44,45, however that text only specifically refers to speaking in tongues). This was a unique event, that in consideration of the immediate context, we conclude is the fulfillment of them being baptized by with Holy Spirit. Remember that the root meaning of”Baptism” is to “dip” or “immerse.” It was used of materials dipped into dye so they were then permanently identified with what they were dipped into. That is the meaning of being Baptized with the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit comes upon a person so that they are immersed in Him and thereafter identified with Him for the Holy Spirit does not leave the believer.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit is only mentioned a few times in the Scriptures.It was prophesied to come through Christ in the future in Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33. In Acts 1:5 Jesus repeats that prophecy and declares to His disciples that it would occur “not many days from now.”In Acts 11:16 Peter repeats the prophecy and then points out that if the same manifestation of the Spirit occurs in the Gentiles as had occurred with them, then he could not stand in God’s way concluding that God had also granted the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life. (As a footnote, Ephesians 4:5 which says “there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,”is taken by some to refer to baptism with the Holy Spirit. Some also take the phrase in 1 Peter 3:21 that “baptism now saves you” as a reference to baptism with the Holy Spirit).And finally, 1 Corinthians 12:13 which says, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” Baptism with the Holy Spirit is what makes you a part of the body of Christ.Romans 8:9 strengthens this point saying, “But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” The Scriptural conclusion is that if you have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit, then you do not belong to Christ, and you are not a Christian. Those who teach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs after salvation are simply wrong.Baptism with the Holy Spirit is not a “second blessing.” It is a “first blessing” that is part of what it means to be saved from sin and unto God through faith in Jesus Christ. That has serious ramifications for those that teach that speaking in other tongues is the sign of being baptized with the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit also manifested Himself by filling all those presentand causing then to speak in other tongues.In the book of Acts, that same phenomena of speaking in other tongues is only recorded as happening again in Acts 10:46 and 19:6, and in Acts 8:14f Simon’s reaction may give a slight indication it occurred then too.In all of these passages the gospel is making a transition in reaching new people.

In Acts 8 the gospel spreads to the Samaritans.In Acts 10 the gospel goes out to the gentiles and while Peter is still speaking to those gathered with Cornelius “the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also, for they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God.” Peter then had them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. In Acts 11 Peter reports this to Jews in Jerusalem and they conclude that God was granting the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life (11:15-18).In Acts 19 Paul meets some disciples of John the Baptist and brings the last of the Old Testament saints into the church. Paul baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus and then when he laid hands on them the “Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.” It is significant that speaking in tongues is not mentioned in any of the other conversions recorded in Acts.

Acts 2:4 specifically states that they were “all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit was giving them utterance.” Some have said that speaking in tongues is the sign of being filled with the Spirit. However, the scriptures do not support that view. We have already seen that the only other two records of the phenomena of speaking in other tongues occurred when the “Holy Spirit fell upon” the gentiles listening to Peter, and when “the Holy Spirit came upon” those who had been disciples of John. Neither passage uses the term “filled” or “baptized.”

In addition,an examination of all the other times in Acts were the Holy Spirit “filled” someone reveals different manifestations.Starting in Acts 2:4 we find that not only were these people speaking with other tongues, but they were also “speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” In Acts 4:8 Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and preaches a bold and convicting message to the to the “Rulers and elders of the people.” In Acts 4:31 the people there were “all filled with the Holy Spirit, and [began] to speak the word of God with boldness.” When Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 9:17 he regained his sight and he arose and was baptized. In Acts 13:9 Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and caused Elymas the magician to be blinded. In Acts 13:52 the disciples were “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” despite being rejected by the people at Psidian Antioch, so they continued on to Iconium to preach. In Ephesians 5:18,19 we find that believers are commanded to be filled with the Spirit which was to manifest itself in speaking to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Finally, there is no command to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. It occurs only once at the moving of the Holy Spirit according to the will of God when a person is saved and is made a part of the Body of Christ. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is commanded in Ephesians 5:18 and it is a matter of yielding control to Him. It occurs many times being manifested in different ways according to the gifts a person has and always to God’s glory. Going back to what I pointed out earlier from 1 Corinthians 12:7f, “to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” That manifestation can be any spiritual gift as determined by God (vs. 11).Those who claim that a believer must speak in an another tongue to show evidence that they are either baptized in the Spirit or filled with the Spirit are simply wrong. Their doctrine ends up causing the very thing that should be a source of unity in the church to become a source of division between the common Christian and those supposedly more spiritual.

Why then does this phenomena occur this way here in Acts 2? Let’s look at the rest of the passage to see the results and then go to the Epistles to see what they say about it.

A Bewildered Multitude

(vs. 5-11)

The Multitude Assembles (vs. 5,6)

In verses 5 & 6a we find that the noise of the coming of the Holy Spirit attracts the attention of a lot of other people.“Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven.6And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together.”

These were Jews that had come back to Jerusalem from all of the many countries to which Jews had been scattered over the centuries. The phrase “from every nation under heaven” is an idiom meaning “from many lands.” These were “devout men” meaning they were serious about following after God. That would be the reason that they would have come back to Jerusalem. For some it would have been a somewhat temporary stay as they came back to keep the laws concerning Passover, the Feast of Firstfruits and the Feast of Harvest. For others, they had moved to Jerusalem permanently.

The noise like a violent, rushing wind was loud enough that it brought many of these people out to see what was happening. People today do the same thing when something happens. We want to see what is going on. This is a large group for verse 41 indicates there would have been a minimum of 3,000. Luke does not tells us exactly where they have gathered, but we can be sure they did not all go into the Upper Room. If the Upper Room was near the Temple, it is possible they had gathered there and those that had been in the Upper Room had also gone to the temple. It is also possible the crowd had gathered in the streets around the Upper Room and those that had been inside had come out. Wherever they were, those who had been inside the house were now spread out among the crowd and the multitude was close enough together that Peter would be able to speak to all of them at one time.

The Multitudes Amazement (vs. 6-8)

Verse 6 continues on to say these people “were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and marveled, saying, ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we each here them in our own language to which we were born?’”

Luke uses three different words to describe their mental state at observing this phenomena: bewildered (sugcevw / sugcheô – meaning to “be poured together” and hence mixed up and confused), amazed (ejxivsthmi / existLmi – astonished, astounded) and marveled (qaumavzw / thaumazô – surprised, wonder).They did not understand what was going on and it confused them causing them to be mentally displaced and full of wonder. What was causing this bewilderment, amazement and marvel was that thesefolks were speaking to them in the languages they had learned growing up in foreign lands. Even more so was the wonder that these were Galileans which were considered to be country bumpkins. It would be one thing if these were people from Jerusalem or some center of learning, but Galileans were rural people who were considered ignorant and uneducated. The region was not even on any of the major trade routes, so how could they have learned so many different languages? And it was not just languages, but Luke uses the word, diaVlekto” /dialektos, which we transliterate as “dialect,” in verses 6 & 8. It was not just the language, but even the dialect of that language from the area they were from.

Verse 6 also answers the question of the nature of this phenomena. Some suggest it was a miracle of hearing or a miracle of hearing and of speaking.The end of verse 6 though makes it clear that this is a miracle of speaking, for the people were bewildered because “they were each one hearing them speak in his own language (dialect).”Those filled with the Holy Spirit were speaking languages they had not learned.Whether they themselves understood what they were saying is not indicated here in Acts. Paul’s comments in 1 Corinthians 14 may suggest that they may not necessarily have themselves understood what they were saying. (14:14 tells us praying in a tongue could leave the mind unfruitful – indicating no understanding. However, 14:28 says that without an interpreter the person should keep silent and speak to themself and God – indicating understanding. Conclusion: the person may or may not understand depending on the individual and the language).

Origin of the Multitude (vs. 9-11)

In verses 9-11 Luke even records the many different lands from which these devout Jews had come which tells us the many different languages that were being spoken. “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,11Cretans and Arabs– we hear them in our [own] tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” Luke lists these nations by linguistic groups and geographical areas.

The Parthians lived south of the Caspian Sea in what is now the northern area of modern Iran. This was a proud nation that had not been conquered by Rome. They spoke a Persian dialect. Next to them to the west were the Medes who were now part of the Parthian empire but had been partners with the Persians during the time of Daniel. This is modern northern Iraq. The Elamites were in the southern part of the Parthian empire directly north of the Persian Gulf to the east of the Tigris River. This would be the southern part of modern Iran and southeastern Iraq.

Next there were “residents from Mesopotamia,” which means “between the rivers,” and the two referred to here are the Tigris and Euphrates. This is the area of the ancient Babylonian empire and modern Iraq. Jews had been deported into all these areas by the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. Luke adds the description that these were “residents” implying that these were folks that would be returning to their homeland. That same term applies to the next grouping of areas Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene,

It is probable that Judea refers to more the larger area of ancient Judea rather than the remnant of that area called Judea by the Romans. This would include what was then known as Syria and Decapolis which are noticeably absent from the list if they are not included with the reference to Judea.

Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia are all regions of Asia Minor or what is modern day Turkey. There was a large population of Jews throughout those regions.

Eygpt and the districts around Libya around Cyrene. This is the north eastern coast of Africa. It is estimated that there were about one million Jews in this region with a large portion of them in Alexandria where the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, had been produced.

Luke then mentions “visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes.”There were tens of thousands of Jews in Rome prior to Emperor Claudius’ expulsion of them in A.D. 49. These were people who were there for the Feasts and would then be returning to Rome.

Also mentioned are those from Crete, an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and Arabs, which would have come from the areas of Naboatea and Arabia.

All these people were hearing in their own tongues those who had been baptized with and then filled with the Holy Spirit speaking of the mighty deeds of God. Luke does not give further detail about exactly what they were saying other than it was all under the general topic of the mighty deeds of God. We can get a sense of this by looking at any of a number of Psalms which do just that and retell the mighty things God has done (i.e. Psalm 8, 19, 32, 66, 77, 78, 93, 107, 136, 145).

It is very important to note here that the word “tongue”(glw’ssa glôssa) in verses 4 and 11 refers to a specific language as is shown by the specific groups mentioned by Luke. Those who want to say that speaking in tongues is something other than an actual language understood by humans have a hard case to make since the only example of it in which there is explanation is of known languages.

Purpose of Other Tongues

What was the purpose of this phenomena?There is a lot of confusion out there about this, but that is mostly because so many people do not study the scriptures in their context and because so many people want to interpret Scripture by their experience instead of their experiences by the Scriptures. Next week we will see from Peter’s sermon that starts in verse 14 that this phenomena was infulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2 and Holy Spirit being poured forth in the last days.We also learn from 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 that this is in fulfillment of Isaiah 28:11,12. Paul says, “In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord.22So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy [is for a sign], not to unbelievers, but to those who believe.”The speaking in other tongues was a sign to the unbelieving Jew of God’s judgement. That is quite a contrast to the many confused things people say and teach about speaking in tongues.

Immediate Reactions

(vs.12,13)

What were the immediate reactions of the people that made up the crowd that had gathered.

Continued Amazement (vs. 12)

Verse 12 says, And they continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” They were at a loss to understand what was taking place and what it meant, but they knew something very important was taking place.

Mocking (vs. 13)

Verse 13 says that “others were mocking and saying, ‘They are full of sweet wine.’” There were scoffers present that quickly judged things by their own standards and made a foolish conclusion. Such people have always been around and are still present today.

The purpose of the phenomena was being fulfilled from the very first time it occurred. Unbelieving Jews would not listen and would be condemned. Those who would believe were confused, but they would have it all explained to them by Peter’s sermon (prophecy – forth telling) so that they could believe. We will study that next week. For this week we see that God keeps His promises and He works through people in ways far beyond their own ability so that they can declare the glories of God to others. He still does that today. God can use you today if you will obey Him to be filled with the Spirit.Will you will believe and follow Him?

Sermon Study Sheets

KIDS CORNER

Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help.

Young Children

– draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch.

Older Children –

Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up. 2) Count how many times “Spirit” is said. Talk with your parents about how God can enable you to be used for His glory.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others.

What is the significance of Pentecost? Where were the disciples? Why were they there? What were they doing? How did this event fulfill Acts 1:5? How did the Spirit Manifest Himself? How does the Spirit move on a person? What is Baptism with the Spirit? What Scriptures speak about it? What does it accomplish? What is being Filled with the Spirit? What Scriptures speak about it? What does it accomplish? How do Baptism and Filling with the Spirit differ from each other? What Scriptures reference speaking in other tongues – in Acts, Epistles? What was the nature of speaking in tongues in Acts 2? Why did God send that miracle? What languages were spoken? What was its effect on the multitudes? Is speaking in tongues required to show either Baptism or filling with the Spirit? Why or why not?

Sermon Notes – 9/18/05

The Day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1- 13

The Day of Pentecost

(vs. 1)

The Significance of Pentecost

Exodus 23:16; 34:22,23; Lev. 23:15f cf. Deut. 16:9-10)

The Situation

The Baptism of the Spirit

(vs. 2,3)

Fulfilment of Prophecy

Joel 2:28-32

Luke 3:16; John 1:31-33

His Manifestation

Noise (vs. 2)

Appearance (vs. 3)

Filled with the Spirit and Speaking in Other Tongues

(vs. 4)

The Moving of the Spirit

John 3

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Spirit Baptism and Filling

Baptism

Mt.3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33; Acts 1:5 ; 11:16;

(Ephesians 4:5 1 Peter 3:21?)

1 Cor. 12:13 cf. Rom. 8:9

Speaking with Other Tongues

Acts 2; 10:46; 11:15-18 & 19:6

Filled

Acts 2:4

Acts 4:8; 4:31; 9:17; 13:9 13:52

Ephesians 5:18,19