Acts, Chapter 2

1
Lesson 6

• Acts, Chapter 2

2
The Baptism of the Spirit (vs. 1-4) 1

• The Day of Pentecost.
• Pente- (50) followed the feast of Passover by
  50 days
• Also called Feast of Weeks (Deut. 1610) (7
  weeks following Passover)
• Also called Feast of Harvest (Wheat harvest)
  (Exo. 2316)
• Also called the Feast of the Firstfruits (Lev.
  2317)

3
The Baptism of the Spirit (vs. 1-4) 2

• The Day of Pentecost.
• One of three feast days (Passover, Tabernacles)
  the Jews were required to observe by traveling to
  Jerusalem.
• Day of Pentecost always falls on a Sunday, 7
  weeks following the Passover Sabbath (Lev.
  231-16, esp. 15)
• The Day of Pentecost was a feast of Thanksgiving
  for the harvest.

4
The Baptism of the Spirit (vs. 1-4) 3

• The Manifestation of the Spirit.
• The Gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the 12
  apostles
• Context demands it the pronoun they (in accord
  with English and Greek grammar) has as its
  antecedent the nearest proper noun (apostles in
  vs. 26, not the 120 in vs. 15)
• See also Mark 1614-20 (the eleven)

5
The Baptism of the Spirit (vs. 1-4) 4

• The Manifestation of the Spirit.
• The Sound from heaven (Like a wind) AUDIBLE
• The cloven tongues (Like fire) VISIBLE
• The tongues (languages) were unlearned and a
  miraculous gift given by the Holy Spirit

6
The Audience (vs. 5-13) 1

• The makeup of the audience.
• Were drawn by the sound from heaven
• Were confused by the ability of Galileans to
  speak in tongues they had not learned
• Were devout (careful to obey)
• Came from nations conquered by Romans (and even
  from a few outside of the Roman sphere).

7
The Audience (vs. 5-13) 2

• The explanation of the tongues.
• Though greek was a common language, each had
  their own languages (ex Aramaic in Judea)
• Scoffers attributed the tongues to drunkenness
  (note it is self-evident that this explanation
  is false).
• Drunkenness can not explain coherent discourse in
  an unlearned language

8
Peters Message (vs. 14-36) 1

• Joels Prophecy (14-21)
• Peter first dismisses the claim of drunkenness
• Joels prophecy (228-32) is fulfilled with the
  establishment of the kingdom
• Christian age is the Last days
• No reason to limit Joels prophecy to this single
  day, it is only the beginning of the last days

9
Peters Message (vs. 14-36) 2

• Joels Prophecy (14-21)
• all flesh would seem to reference not only
  Jews, but Gentiles (cf. Acts 10, the Household of
  Cornelius)
• Parts of the prophecy would seem to indicate the
  end of the last days (vs. 19-20)
• Calling on the name of the Lord Peter describes
  how this is to be done in verse 38 of the text.
• Shall be saved (Salvation from sin)

10
Peters Message (vs. 14-36) 3

• The Testimony of David (22-31)
• First, Peter contends that the Jews were aware
  (you know) of Gods testimony concerning His
  Son Jesus
• Jesus death was by design (23-24)
• Psalm 168-11 is quoted as a Messianic prophecy
  of David
• Peter attributes the words to a reference to the
  resurrection of Jesus

11
Peters Message (vs. 14-36) 4

• Eyewitness Testimony (32)
• Peter and the apostles were eyewitnesses to the
  Lords resurrection (cf. 122 1 Cor. 151-11)
• Ramifications (33-36)
• Verse 33 is a clear indication that Jesus is
  presently reigning in His kingdom
• The resurrection proves Jesus as Lord and Christ

12
Response to the Message (vs. 37-41) 1

• The Jews Question (37)
• cut to pierce thoroughly. i.e. to agitate
  violently
• The Jews were stricken in conscience regarding
  their guilt in crucifying Jesus
• What shall we do? (Question motivated by guilt
  in response to the part they played in the
  crucifixion).
• What to do to avoid Gods wrath (a question
  indicating the desire for salvation).

13
Response to the Message (vs. 37-41) 2

• Peters Answer (38)
• Told to DO two things 1) Repent to change
  ones mind or purpose (Vines) 2) Be baptized in
  the name of Christ immersion in water.
  immersion, submersion and emergence (Vines)
• Purpose of actions for the remission of sins.
  In effect, forgiveness of sins is contingent
  upon repentance baptism.

14
Response to the Message (vs. 37-41) 3

• The Gift of the Holy Spirit (38)
• Greek ambiguous Either, 1) Holy Spirit as a
  gift or, 2) A gift given by the Holy Spirit.
• Many believe the reference is to Salvation itself
  as a gift of the Spirit
• If Spirit as a gift, does not require either
  personal indwelling (rather a relationship, cf.
  Col. 127 Gal. 124 1 Jn. 416 ) or miraculous
  gifts (these given by the laying on of the
  apostles hands, cf. Acts 814-17).

15
Response to the Message (vs. 37-41) 3

• To Whom the Promise Pertains (39)
• Promise the remission of sins/ the gift of
  the Holy Spirit
• All in the last days until such time as Jesus
  comes again, including the Gentiles those afar
  off (cf. Acts 10 Eph. 213-17)
• God calls through the gospel (cf. 2 Thess. 214
  Rom. 1013-14)

16
Response to the Message (vs. 37-41) 4

• 3000 Souls Saved (40-41)
• Verse 40 indicates that the preaching continued
• 3000 souls were added (to put to Vines to
  join together, to gather with Reese)
• Verse 47 indicates that those baptized are added
  to the church or kingdom.

17
Daily Life in the Early Church (vs. 42-47) 1

• Spiritual Fellowship (42)
• Zealous in their Christian practice
• Apostles doctrine (apostles given the
  responsibility of imparting the truth, cf.
  Matthew 2820)
• Fellowship here indicates spiritual communion.
• Lords Supper the breaking of the bread
  (article in both places in the original greek).
• Prayer Continual prayer (cf. 1 Thess. 517)

18
Daily Life in the Early Church (vs. 42-47) 2

• The signs from God (43)
• Note Miracles done through the apostles (not the
  120)
• Christian hospitality benevolence (44-47)
• Breaking bread here refers to common meals and
  hospitality
• Benevolence all things in common

19
The Continued Salvation of Souls (vs. 47) 1

• Added to the Church
• Note It is God that adds one to the church
• One is added at baptism (vs. 41)
• One is added at salvation (vs. 47)
• This is a far cry from the denominational
  practice that separates salvation from church
  membership.

20
The Standard Manual for Baptist Churches (Edward
T. Hiscox, 1890, p. 22)

• It is most likely that in the Apostolic age,
  when there was but one Lord, one faith, one
  baptism, and no differing denominations existed,
  the baptism of a convert by that very act
  constituted him a member of the church see Acts
  247 1 Corinthians 1213, and at once endowed
  him with all the rights and privileges of full
  membership. In that sense, baptism was the door
  into the church. Now it is different...