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2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
2:9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
2:11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

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Everything King James Bible:Acts

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Acts
Book: Acts
Chapter: 2

Overview:
The descent of the Holy Spirit at the Day of Pentecost. (1-4)
The apostles speak in divers languages. (5-13) Peter's address
to the Jews. (14-36) Three thousand souls converted. (37-41) The
Piety and Affection of the disciples. (42-47)

1-4 We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with
them there were strifes among the disciples which should be the
greatest; but now all these strifes were at an End. They had
prayed more together of late. Would we have the Spirit poured
out upon us from On high, let us be all of one accord. And
notwithstanding differences of sentiments and interests, as
there were among those disciples, let us agree to Love one
another; for where brethren Dwell together in unity, there the
Lord commands his blessing. A rushing mighty wind came with
great force. This was to signify the powerful influences and
working of the Spirit of God upon the minds of men, and thereby
upon the world. Thus the convictions of the Spirit make way for
his comforts; and the rough blasts of that blessed wind, prepare
the soul for its soft and gentle gales. There was an appearance
of something like flaming Fire, lighting On every one of them,
according to John Baptist's saying concerning Christ; He shall
baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with Fire. The Spirit, like
Fire, melts the Heart, burns up the Dross, and kindles pious and
devout affections in the soul; in which, as in the Fire On the
Altar, the spiritual sacrifices are offered up. They were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, more than before. They were filled
with the graces of the Spirit, and more than ever under his
sanctifying influences; more weaned from this world, and better
acquainted with the other. They were more filled with the
comforts of the Spirit, rejoiced more than ever in the Love of
Christ and the Hope of Heaven: in it all their griefs and fears
were swallowed up. They were filled with the Gifts of the Holy
Ghost; they had miraculous powers for the furtherance of the
Gospel. They spake, not from previous thought or meditation, but
as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5-13 The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much
hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments
whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian
religion, could have made No progress without this Gift, which
proved that their authority was from God.

14-21 Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered
from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for
he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account
of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to
awaken the hearers to embrace the Faith of Christ, and to join
themselves to his Church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture,
and the Fruit of Christ's resurrection and Ascension, and proof
of both. Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake
with Tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not
think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ's scholars never learn
above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the
Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey
them. Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great
Day, except those who Call upon the name of the Lord, in and
through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the
Judge of all mankind.

22-36 From this Gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto
them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an
account of his Death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a
few Weeks before. His Death is considered as God's act; and of
wonderful Grace and Wisdom. Thus Divine Justice must be
satisfied, God and Man brought together again, and Christ
himself glorified, according to an eternal counsel, which could
not be altered. And as the people's act; in them it was an act
of awful Sin and folly. Christ's resurrection did away the
reproach of his Death; Peter speaks largely upon this. Christ
was God's Holy One, sanctified and set apart to his service in
the work of Redemption. His Death and sufferings should be, not
to him only, but to all his, the entrance to a blessed Life for
evermore. This event had taken place as foretold, and the
apostles were witnesses. Nor did the resurrection Rest upon this
alone; Christ had poured upon his disciples the miraculous Gifts
and Divine influences, of which they witnessed the effects.
Through the Saviour, the ways of Life are made known; and we are
encouraged to expect God's presence, and his favour for
evermore. All this springs from assured belief that Jesus is the
Lord, and the anointed Saviour.

37-41 From the first delivery of that Divine message, it
appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and
Thousands were brought to the obedience of Faith. But neither
Peter's words, nor the Miracle they witnessed, could have
produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given.
Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to
the Heart for Sin, cannot but feel an inward uneasiness. The
Apostle exhorted them to repent of their sins, and openly to
avow their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, By being baptized in
his name. Thus professing their Faith in Him, they would receive
remission of their sins, and partake of the Gifts and graces of
the Holy Spirit. To separate from wicked people, is the only way
to save ourselves from them. Those who repent of their sins, and
give up themselves to Jesus Christ, must prove their sincerity
By breaking off from the wicked. We must save ourselves from
them; which denotes avoiding them with dread and holy fear. By
God's Grace three thousand persons accepted the Gospel
invitation. There can be No doubt that the Gift of the Holy
Ghost, which they all received, and from which No true believer
has ever been shut out, was that Spirit of Adoption, that
converting, guiding, sanctifying Grace, which is bestowed upon
all the members of the family of our heavenly Father. Repentance
and remission of sins are still preached to the chief of
sinners, in the Redeemer's name; still the Holy Spirit seals the
blessing On the believer's Heart; still the encouraging promises
are to us and our children; and still the blessings are offered
to all that are afar off.

42-47 In these verses we have the history of the truly
primitive Church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy
indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence.
They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in Piety and
devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it,
will dispose the soul to Communion with God in all those ways
wherein he has appointed us to meet him, and has promised to
meet us. The greatness of the event raised them above the world,
and the Holy Ghost filled them with such Love, as made every one
to be to another as to himself, and So made all things common,
not By destroying property, but doing away selfishness, and
causing Charity. And God who moved them to it, knew that they
were quickly to be driven from their possessions in Judea. The
Lord, from Day to Day, inclined the hearts of more to embrace
the Gospel; not merely professors, but such as were actually
brought into a state of acceptance with God, being made
partakers of regenerating Grace. Those whom God has designed for
eternal Salvation, shall be effectually brought to Christ, till
the Earth is filled with the knowledge of his Glory.

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