We continue our in depth study of the book of Acts.We studied Acts 1(opens in new tab) and the final words of Jesus to His followers. Including telling them that they will receive power from the Holy Spirit and they would be His witnesses. And Jesus ascended into heaven right after that.
Now we will study Acts 2, which includes the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit onto the 120 followers of Jesus in Jerusalem.
And also signs and wonders including a mighty sound like a great rushing wind, and tongues of fire appearing over each believer. And of course the speaking of many different languages by the believers.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
The Day Of Pentecost
In Acts 1 we saw Jesus telling His followers to wait in Jerusalem until the promised Holy Spirit filled them. And He told them that the Holy Spirit would empower them to be witnesses for Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. And then Jesus ascended into heaven.
At the beginning of Acts 2 it is the day of Pentecost. It is the day God chose for the followers of Jesus to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And for the beginning of the church age.
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.” – Acts 2:1-3
The Meaning Of Pentecost
Pentecost in Greek means fiftieth. It is 50 days after the Sabbath day after the Jewish Passover celebration.
Passover was celebrated from the time of the exodus of Israel from Egypt. During the final plague sent by God to kill the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, in order to convince Pharaoh to let God’s people go, the Israelites spread blood over their door posts. So the plague would “pass over them” and they would be saved because of the blood.
Passover represents Jesus’ blood being spilled, and His death on a cross to save us sinners. In fact Jesus was crucified and died on Passover.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
The Feast Of First Fruits
There was another Jewish Feast celebrated the day after the Sabbath after the Passover celebration. It was called the Feast of First Fruits. It was celebrated on a Sunday to celebrate the firstfruits of the barley harvest.
Jesus was resurrected on the Sunday, the day after the Sabbath after Passover. So Jesus was resurrected on the day of the Feast of First Fruits.
Because Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the first fruits. He is the first to be resurrected, as His faithful followers will be later on. The first fruits was a picture of the resurrection of Christ, that guarantees that our resurrection will occur.
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
The Significance Of Pentecost
“You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. 16 You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the Lord.” – Leviticus 23:15-16
The Feast Of Weeks, also called the Feast Of The Harvest was initiated by God to celebrate the wheat harvest. It was to be celebrated 50 days after the Sabbath after Passover.
It was also used to celebrate the giving of God’s law to Moses on Mt. Sanai, because that occurred on the day of the Feast of Weeks.
The day of Pentecost In Acts 2 occurred exactly on the Feast Of Weeks. The people who had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot, in Hebrew, or the Feast of Weeks, were devout Jews.
It was around late May or early June. On Shavuot, all Jews were commanded to travel to Jerusalem to commemorate that feast.
And by God’s sovereign plan, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit occurred on the day of Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit is given to believers that repent and place their faith in Jesus alone for salvation. The Holy Spirit is our “guarantee” of our inheritance to be in God’s family and kingdom.
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14
And the Holy Spirit is our guarantee that we will be on the right side when Jesus comes back and judges everyone. And when He separates the wheat (believers and faithful followers of Jesus) from the tares or weeds (unrepentant sinners) in the final judgement and harvest.
“Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” – Matthew 13:30
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
God’s Sovereign Plan And Timing
Jesus’ death on the cross, His resurrection, and then the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on His followers all occurred on specific days of Jewish feasts. They occurred according to God’s sovereign plan and timing.
And each of the festivals were picture or symbolic prophecies of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. And all of these prophecies were fulfilled through Jesus.
A Sound From Heaven
On the day of Pentecost the 120 followers of Jesus are together in a house in Jerusalem. Suddenly something very unusual happened.
“And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” – Acts 2:2
Suddenly there was a sound that came from heaven. Luke says that it sounded like a mighty rushing wind. Like maybe the sound the wind makes during a tornado or a hurricane.
Luke does not say that a great wind rushed into the place they were meeting. He says the great sound from heaven sounded like a mighty wind.
When Jesus described the Holy Spirit, he used the wind to describe the movements of the Spirit.
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8
The Greek word for wind in this verse is pnoēs. It means a blast of breath. It signifies a great blast of God’s breath came upon each of the believers. The Holy Spirit is the breath and life of God that indwells people that repent, believe in Jesus, and faithfully follow Him.
This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Paul describes it as becoming united in spirit with the Lord Jesus Christ.
“But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” – 1 Corinthians 6:17
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:27-28
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Tongues Of Fire Appeared On Each Of Them
“And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.” – Acts 2:3
Luke describes a supernatural phenomenon that every believer saw when the Holy Spirit came upon them all. It appeared like tongues of fire rested on every one of the 120 believers.
Fire at times in the Bible is associated with God’s presence. Like when God appeared to Moses at the burning bush.
“And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.” – Exodus 3:2
Or when the Israelites were guided at night by a pillar of fire during the exodus from Egypt.
“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.” – Exodus 13:21
The Filling Of The Holy Spirit
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:4
Once the followers of Jesus were baptized with the Holy Spirit, they all began to speak in other “tongues” or languages. Luke makes it clear that it was the Holy Spirit, or the power of God, that enabled them to speak in other languages.
That is what Luke meant when he said “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”. This is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or the believers becoming united with Christ in spirit.
The filling of the Holy Spirit happens when we fully yield to Jesus as Lord, and are willing to do whatever He wants or says. These believers are filled or empowered by the Holy Spirit for a specific event or ministry work.
“but be filled with the Spirit.” – Ephesians 5:18
The words be filled with the Holy Spirit mean to be controlled or dominated by the Holy Spirit. You need to fully yield to Jesus for this to happen.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation. The filling of the Holy Spirit takes place when you fully yield to Jesus. And when God gives you the opportunity to join Him in His kingdom work and mission, and He fills you with and empowers you with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Speaking In Other Languages
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:4
In this case the Holy Spirit is enabling the 120 believers to speak in many different languages.
The Greek word glōssa is used in Acts 2:4. It means languages. As in the various languages different people in various countries speak.
The languages the 120 believers spoke, and the people from those countries that were in Jerusalem and heard are listed in Acts 2:5-12
“Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” – Acts 2:5-12
Real Human Languages And Dialects
In verse 4 the Greek word glōssa is used. It means a human language, not a “heavenly language” as some people interpret it.
Glōssa is also used in verse 6.
“And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.” – Acts 2:6
In verses 8 and 11 the Greek word “dialekto” is used. Which means they heard the 120 believers speaking in the different dialects of languages that they spoke in.
“And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?” – Acts 2:8
“both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” – Acts 2:11
Again, they are talking about dialects of real human languages. And not some spiritual or heavenly or angelic language.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Isaiah’s Prophecy About Different Languages
It is interesting to see that Isaiah had a prophecy about God speaking to His people in foreign languages. It was a prophecy of judgement for when God’s people rebelled and would not listen and obey.
“For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people, 12 to whom he has said, “This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose”; yet they would not hear. 13 And the word of the Lord will be to them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little,
that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” – Isaiah 28:11-13
Like many other Old Testament prophecies, this one had a fulfillment in the not too distant future. And it was also a prophecy with a fulfillment in the far off future.
The day of Pentecost and the believers speaking in other languages was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. The speaking in many other languages was a sign of judgement coming for the Jews that refused to believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah and Savior.
Paul quoted Isaiah 28:11 and said they were a prophetic sign of judgment for unbelievers.
“In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers.” – 1 Corinthians 14:21-22
A Large Multitude Of People
“…And at this sound the multitude came together…” – Acts 2:6
Because it was the day of Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, many Jewish people from many different countries were in Jerusalem. As we will see, God’s sovereign plan and timing for sending the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost also involved the large multitude of people coming to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Bewildered, Amazed, And Astonished
“And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?” – Acts 2:6-7
The large multitude of people from many countries that were in Jerusalem that day were bewildered, amazed, and astonished when they heard the 120 believers speaking their own languages and dialects.
Especially when they saw that most of the believers speaking many different languages were Galileans. Or from the region of Galilee in the north of Israel.
It was a region known for agriculture and fishing. Galileans were not considered to be well educated people or well spokenpeople. In fact they were considered to be “hicks” or uneducated country people.
In John 1 Nathanael said this:
“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” – John 1:45-46
Nazareth was one of the cities in the region of Galilee.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
God’s Purposes Of This Supernatural Event
“And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” – Acts 2:12
Verse 12 shows us again that the devout Jews from many countries that were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks were amazed and perplexed. The supernatural phenomenon of the very loud noise like a great rushing wind everyone heard certainly caught their attention.
And then hearing the “country bumpkins” from Galilee speaking their many different languages caught their attention too. And they were amazed and wondering what these strange sights and signs meant.
These signs are proof that it was God that was doing these miraculous works through the apostles and followers of Christ. God had a purpose in the signs and wonders He did through them. First it caught the attention of many people.
And it also prepared the people to hear a message God would speak through Peter right after these amazing sights and signs that were obviously from God. And many would then know that the message was from God.
There Always Will Be Some Mockers
“And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” – Acts 2:12-13
While many were amazed and perplexed at the signs from God, some were mocking the followers of Jesus. They were saying they were drunk.
There will always be some hard hearted unrepentant people and mockers when you set out to serve God and do His kingdom work and mission. And especially when you share the Gospel with others.
But we should never allow them to intimidate us. Or allow them to hinder the kingdom work and mission. The best thing to do is to faithfully continue on and ignore the mockers and unbelievers that try to cause problems.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Peter Speaks To The Crowd
“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below…” – Acts 2:14-19
Peter, seeing that many in the large crowd were amazed, and others that were mocking, began to speak to them. First he addressed the mockers, saying that they were not drunk, since it was only the “third hour”, or 9am. Which was the hour of prayer in the Jewish temple and tradition.
Next Peter cited the prophet Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2.
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Joel 2:28-32
Being that the large crowd were devout Jews, Peter knew that they were aware of Joel’s prophecy. And Peter used Joel’s prophecy to explain to them that God promised to pour out His Holy Spirit on His people. And that God would perform great signs and wonders in the heavens above and on the earth.
And Peter used Joel’s prophecy to explain what the crowd was seeing and hearing on the day of Pentecost. Even Peter’s bold preaching was a sign of God working.
Everyone Who Calls Upon The Lord Will Be Saved
Paul told the crowd the final part of Joel’s prophecy “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The Holy Spirit also led Peter to use the prophecy of Joel to preach the Gospel of Jesus and repentance for salvation to the large crowd.
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” – Acts 2:22-24
Peter also quoted King David from Psalm 16 in his presentation of the Gospel.
“For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ (Psalm 16:8-11)
Later in his message (Acts 2:34-35) Peter quotes David again from Psalm 110.
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ (Psalm 110:1) – Acts 2:25-35
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Paul Tells Them David Was Speaking About Jesus
Paul began to wrap up his presentation of the Gospel by showing that David was talking about Jesus in his prophecies in the Psalms. And that Jesus is the promised Messiah that the Jews had been waiting for. And that they crucified Him.
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” – Acts 2:36
The Holy Spirit Convicts Many
“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” – Acts 2:37
Peter used the word of God from Joel and David in the Psalms to show that Jesus is the promised Messiah and Savior. Using God’s word when presenting the Gospel to others is important.
As Paul said in Hebrews:
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
After Peter quoted Joel about the Holy Spirit, and then David about Jesus, and after he shared the Gospel with the large crowd, many were strongly convicted. Luke tells us that they were “cut to the heart”. Other versions say they were “pierced to the heart”.
That is the work of the Holy Spirit. When we share the Gospel, as Jesus commanded His followers to do in Matthew 4:19, Mark 16:15, and Acts 1:8, it is not our job to convict people of their sins. That is the Holy Spirit’s job.
And it is not our job to convince others they are sinners and that they need a Savior. And that Jesus is the Savior that God sent. That is also the Holy Spirit’s job.
Our job is to be the faithful messenger and share the message of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit does the rest.
When many in the crowd realized that David was saying that Jesus was the Christ, the Anointed One and Messiah, they were deeply convicted. And because they participated in or supported the killing of Jesus.
And being deeply convicted, they asked Peter what they needed to do.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Peter’s Response
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” – Acts 2:38-40
Peter’s response to the crowds question about what they needed to do has been a source of misinterpretation from some people. Luke tells us that Peter responded by saying “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
There are some people that insist that Peter is saying that you need to repent and believe baptized in order to be forgiven and saved. Is this correct? Do you need to be baptized to be saved?
Repent And Believe The Good News, Then Be Baptized
Let’s look at what Jesus says about what needs to be done in order to be saved. No one knows more about salvation than Jesus.
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus Himself mentions 2 things you need to do in order to be saved. Repent. And believe in the Gospel.
The Greek word used by Jesus, and Peter in Acts 2:38, is metanoeō. Metanoeō means to turn around and go the other direction. There must be a turning in the heart away from sin and living for self. And a turning in the heart and a commitment to Jesus, and to living to follow Him and please Him.
The word believe in this verse does not mean to believe in your mind that Jesus exists. It means you believe in your heart that Jesus loves you, that He died for your sins on the cross, and that He rose again from the deadcon the 3rd day. Believe means to put all your faith, confidence, and hope in Jesus alone.
And in John 5 Jesus said this:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” – John 5:24
And in Luke 13 Jesus said:
“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:5
Notice that Jesus Himself says nothing about the need to be baptized in order to be saved. Some would say “but Jesus got baptized”.
Jesus got baptized to show publicly His submission and obedience of God. And then God publicly and in a verbal voice proclaimed Jesus to be His Son, meaning that Jesus is the Christ or Anointed One, and the promised Messiah and Savior.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Others Sharing The Gospel In The Bible
Luke, later in the book of Acts says this:
“Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” – Acts 16:31
You also see the need to repent in Acts 3:19, Acts 8:22, Acts 11:18, Acts 17:30, Acts 20:21, and Acts 26:20
John says this in John 1 and John 3:
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” – John 1:12
To receive Jesus means to willingly invite Him and receive Him by faith as your Lord and Savior. Your Lord means to commit to follow Jesus and His word and ways in your life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Again no mention of the need to be baptized.
And Paul in Romans and Ephesians said this:
“if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” – Romans 10:9-10
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
Again, Paul does not mention the need to be baptized in order to be saved.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Why Did Peter Say Repent And Be Baptized?
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38
Remember that the large crowd was made up of devout Jews. The Jews had proclaimed that Jesus was a blasphemer. And they had Jesus crucified, which was the most painful terrible way to die known than at the time.
They didn’t just want to kill the “blasphemer”. They wanted to humiliate him, and to cause him the maximum amount of pain and suffering before he died.
By saying repent and be baptized, Peter was telling these devout Jews that they needed to make a public act of severing their ties with Judaism. This would have caused them to be outcasts and endure persecution.
And Peter also was telling them they needed to turn to and have a new identification as a believer and committed follower of Jesus Christ.
Peter presented baptism as a symbol and public declaration of union with Jesus Christ. It was a public sign of their repenting and turning to Christ.
Also worth mentioning is the Greek word εἰς, which has various translations in English, depending on the context it is used. It can mean in, it can mean into, or for… In this case the proper translation of εἰς is “because of”. Yes, various versions of the Bible translate it to “for”. But the best translation is “because of”.
Another good example of this is Matthew 12:41. “The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at (at = εἰς in Greek) the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” In the ESV εἰς is translated they repented “at” the preaching of Jonah. That is the same as saying they repented “because of” of the preaching of Jonah. Just like it means in Acts 2:38.
The Gift Of The Holy Spirit
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” – Acts 2:38-39
After talking about repent and the need to publicly demonstrate their commitment to follow Jesus through baptism, Peter then tied salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus to the receiving of and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Peter told them that they too would receive the Holy Spirit, which they just saw and heard do miraculous signs.
If they repent, turn to Jesus Christ in faith, and publicly show that they have committed to follow Jesus.
The Greek word for gift is dōrea. It means a free gift, unmerited, or for nothing. Salvation and the Holy Spirit are free gifts because of Jesus’ sacrifice and death on the cross. He paid the price for sins and for forgiveness and salvation.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
Many Respond To The Gospel Message
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” – Acts 2:41
After Peter preached Jesus and the Gospel 3000 devout Jews repented and left their Jewish faith and traditions for Jesus. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 people lived in Jerusalem at this time. Because devout Jewish people came from all over to celebrate the Feast of Weeks, there was a very large amount of people in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
There was a high cost to the 3000 devout Jews to repent and publicly commit to follow Jesus. So it was a serious decision and a serious commitment to Jesus.
Remember they were going to be abandoned by people of the Jewish faith for this. And they would face serious persecution.
Jesus Talked About Who Are True Followers
In John 6 Jesus saw many people that had been following Him for various reasons turn away.
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)… After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:63-69
In John 8 Jesus saw that many Jews apparently were starting to believe in Him and in what He was saying.
“As he was saying these things, many believed in him. 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” – John 8:30-31
What was Jesus’ response? You are my true disciples or followers if you abide, or continue to follow my word. He was saying true faith and true salvation in Christ means a strong unending commitment to Jesus. And to continually follow and obey Him. No matter the cost.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
The 3000 Saved Were For Real
The 3000 devout Jews had repented and then publicly demonstrated their abandonment of the Jewish faith and their commitment to follow Jesus. At a very high cost.
Would they be true and faithful followers of Jesus when things got difficult for them? And things would get very difficult for them.
It was a dangerous and difficult time to be a Christ follower at that time.
The key measurement of true repentance, true faith, and true salvation is what Jesus said in John 8. “If you abide (or continue) in my word, you are truly my disciples.”
The very next verse in Acts 2 after the 3000 were saved says this:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42
The Kind of Christians & Church That God Wants
Acts 2:42 shows the First Key of being a Spirit-filled and fruitful Chritian and church. The kind of Christian and church that God wants.
Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to 1) the apostles’ teaching 2) and to fellowship, 3) to the breaking of bread and 4) to prayer.”
Question – if a church does all of these things: church services, worship, teach & preach the Bible (at least some parts of it), Bible studies, small groups, fellowships, prayer time… will it be a spirit filled and successful church ? Will it be the kind of church that God wants ?
At first it appears so. It appears at first glance that these 4 things are the First Key thing we have to do in order to be the church that God wants. Bible study, fellowship, eat together, and prayer.
All of these things are important parts of being a Christian and a church, but they are not the First Key to beingthekind of follower and church that God wants. The vital thing you have to have in order to be what God wants you to be.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
God Does Not Want Good Religious People
We can do all of these things in a religious way, and our hearts can still be far from God.
We can go to church services, hear God’s word and study it, go to fellowships and small groups, and be involved in the prayer ministry at church. And our hearts can still be far from God. If we do these things as religious things we are obligated to do. Or we can do them as part of a religious checklist that will show that we are being “good Christians”.
Almost all churches do these things in one form or another, but most churches today are not Spirit-filled, powerful, and fruitful churches. In fact many are dead or dying, especially in America and other parts of the world like Europe these days.
What matters most is where our heart is. We can do all of these things and still our heart can be far from God. We can be good religious and moral people, but our hearts can be far from God.
The First Key to Being The Kind of Church That God Wants
To find the First Key thing we have to have in order to be what God wants us to be – a Spirit-filled, powerful, and fruitful Christian and church, we need to look again and dig further into Acts 2:42.
Acts 2:42 – “They devoted themselves to… here is the First Key.
The Greek word for devoted “proskartereo” is the strongest word in the Greek language for COMMITMENT. It literally means “to latch on and refuse to let go”.
The people in the early church in Acts were not devoted or committed to being good religious people, or to merely doing some religious things.
Fully Devoted To Jesus
They were not devoted or committed to a church or to a denomination, or to an organization, or to a ministry. “To latch on to and refuse to let go” means that they “latched on to Jesus and refused to let go of Him.
It means they were fully devoted and committed to follow and obey Jesus – no matter where He leads, no matter what he tells you to do, no matter the cost.
The early church in Acts lived in a very dangerous time for Christians. The same people that tortured and killed Jesus were still alive. This was shortly after Jesus died on the cross.
They suffered a lot of persecution, and they could be arrested or even killed at any time for serving and following Jesus.
And yet they faithfully and continually devoted themselves to Jesus. And to following and obeying Him and His word. And obeying His commands to be “fishers of men” and witnesses for Him.
In fact many of them died doing so. All of the apostles except John were killed. Stephen was killed (Acts 7). Paul later on was killed. But they remained committed and faithful to the end.
Fully Devoted to Jesus – Whatever The Cost
Despite the difficult circumstances and the high cost of following Jesus, the believers in the early church in Acts were totally devoted and committed to Jesus. Not just to doing some religious things… to Jesus.
Because of their total devotion and commitment to Jesus, they were the kind of church God wants. And the result was a Spirit-filled, powerful, and fruitful church.
The Results and The Signs of Being a Spirit-filled & Fruitful Church
Acts 2:43 – “Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
*a sign of God’s presence & glory filling the church : awe, wonders & signs, miracles.”
Acts 2:44 “All the believers were together and had everything in common.”
*another sign of God’s presence & glory : supernatural “agape” sacrificial love and “koinania” fellowship and unity.
Acts 2:45 “They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”
*another sign of God’s presence & glory : great generosity, unselfishness, love & concern for others (God’s sacrificial “agape” love… the sacrificial love that Jesus displayed when He died on the cross for our sins).
Acts 2:46 “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
*another sign of God’s presence & glory. Joy, gladness, contentment, sincerity (despite difficult circumstances, suffering, and the threat of dying)
Acts 2:47a “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people (good reputation).”
*another sign of God’s presence & glory. Sincere heart-felt true worship and awe of God.
Now we will look at the 2nd half of Acts 2:47. And we will discover the 2nd key and vital thing we need to be the type of Christ follower and church that God wants.
The Lord Added Daily…
Acts 2:47b – “and the Lord added to their number daily those who were (joining the church ?) being saved.
Question – how should we define success for a church ? Number of members ? Attendance ? How many programs we have ? How big the campus is ?
We ought to define success as a Chris follower and church the way God does.
1) as doing whatever Jesus tells us to do.
2) Is there eternal spiritual fruit being produced in our lives and in our service and in our church ?
The eternal spiritual fruit shown in this verse is salvations. Many people were being reached for Jesus and saved. Many were being forgiven of their sins and having peace with God. And a new restored relationship with God. And eternal life in heaven.
God Produces Eternal Spiritual Fruit Through His Faithful & Devoted Servants
Notice in Acts 2:47b that it is the Lord God that is adding to their number those who were being saved. It is God that produces eternal fruit. And it is God who receives the glory.
John 15:8 – “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain…”
One of the Main Signs of a Spirit-filled and fruitful Christian and church is that there will be Eternal Spiritual Fruit. Eternal Spiritual Fruit comes in 2 forms.
1) Salvations.
2) Spiritual growth of the believers. In other words, lives are being transformed. Faithful disciples, Christ followers, are being made
A Lifestyle of Joining God In His Mission
Notice also that Acts 2:47b says that “the Lord was adding to their number – daily” – this is significant, and it shows that His people, the church, was doing their part regularly in their daily lives. Following and obeying Jesus and doing their part that He commanded them to do was a lifestyle.
They didn’t just do their part as a special event once in awhile, they regularly did their part in their daily life. Because they were fully devoted and committed to Jesus.
And Jesus commanded them (and us) to “Follow me and I will make you fishes of men.” Fishers of men are people who actively in their daily life tell as many people as possible about Jesus and how to be saved and have a restored relationship with God & eternal life in heaven.
The 2ND KEY To Being The Kind of Church God Wants
The 2nd Key is to be obedient and faithful in fulfilling God’s kingdom work and mission.
We MUST be on mission with God in order to experience God’s presence/glory/power in our church, And to see God doing what only He can do.
Our part is to join God in the work He is already doing and be on mission with Him. Being on mission with God in our “Jerusalem” (local area), our “Judea & Samaria” (regional area), and “the ends of the earth” (as He leads). Acts 1:8
If participating in God’s Kingdom work & mission, or being on mission with God is the 2nd Key in order to be the kind of Christian & church God wants, then it is vitally important that we understand what God’s mission is.
Many churches are dead or dying today because they are not filled with God’s presence and glory and power. And they are not filled with God’s presence & glory & power because their hearts are far from God, and they have abandoned God’s mission for their own mission.
What Is God’s Mission For His Church ?
What is God’s mission ? There are 2 Parts to God’s Mission. We need to look into God’s Word the Bible to find out what God’s mission is.
God clearly reveals in His Word what His mission and passion is. And that He wants His followers and the church to obey and faithfully participate in His mission.
1 Timothy 2:4 – God wants (desires) all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Missions is not about a mission trip, or a special missions or outreach event the church has a few times a year. Or a special ministry for a small group of people with a special gift.
Missions is all about God’s heart. And all about God’s desire and passion for all to be saved. For all people to have a restored relationship with Him and eternal life with Him in heaven.
God has such a strong desire and passion for all to be saved, that He sent His only Son Jesus. He sent Jesus to suffer and die on a cross. All to make it possible for us to be saved and have a restored relationship with God. His love and desire and passion for this is very strong.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
The First Part of God’s Mission
When Jesus was here on earth he stated the first part of God’s mission very clearly.
Luke 19:10 – “I came to seek and save the lost”.
We know that Jesus came to save lost people by dying on the cross. Why did Jesus say “seek and save the lost” ? Jesus said he came to seek the lost because He knows people’s hearts and He knows lost people very well.
He knows that most lost people will not step foot into a church. So because He loves them so much Jesus went out to where they were, to share the Good News of salvation with them.
His attitude was that He loved them so much, that if they were not going to come to Him then He was going to go out to them. And He would try His very best to help them to have a restored relationship with God.
We need to follow Jesus’ example. We need to love all people like Jesus does. And we need go out to them and try to help them to be forgiven for their sins and have a restored relationship with God.
No matter what It costs. It could cost you your dreams. It could cost you your career. Or it could cost you a lot emotionally or financially.
Who Would Fulfill God’s Mission After Jesus
Returned to Heaven ?
Jesus knew that He was going to die on the cross and then rise back up to heaven. Who was going to continue to go and do God’s mission ? God had a plan.
Matthew 4:19 – Jesus said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”.
Literally Jesus was talking to His disciples or His followers in this verse. These were the people who would become the apostles later on. They would be the leaders and pastors of the new church in the book of Acts.
In most churches today, if anyone at all is doing God’s mission of seeking and saving the lost, it is usually only a very small group of people. Maybe the pastor(s) and the leaders and a few others. These are supposedly the ones who are gifted to do this.
Is this the way God wants it, only a few people in the church participating with Him in His mission ?
God Provides The Power & Ability to Do His Kingdom Mission
Before we look at that It is important to note that Jesus said “I will make you fishers of men”. He doesn’t say “go out and do your best at being fishers of men.”
Jesus is saying that IF we obey Him and do our part, then He will do His part and empower us. If we go out and seek and save the lost, and share the Gospel with them, then HE will empower us to do the mission work. By the Holy Spirit. And then Jesus will take care of the results too and produce the eternal fruit and success.
Jesus says this in a different way in Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. These are His last words to His followers before rising up to heaven. So they are very important words.
Is God’s Mission Only for Pastors & Missionaries ?
In Matthew 4:19 when Jesus says “Follow me and I will make you “fishers of men.” Is Jesus talking only to pastors, full time missionaries, and church leaders ? Or is He talking to all of His followers in the church ? Pastors and leaders, or every person in the church ? We need to look into God’s Word to find the answer.
Acts 8:1,4 – “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria… verse 4 – “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”
The apostles (pastors & leaders of the church) all stayed in Jerusalem. The rest of the church, the regular people of the church, were scattered to other places.
Acts 8:4 tells us that all of the people who were scattered preached the Word (the Gospel) wherever they went. Not just the pastor. All of the regular people of the church preached the Gospel.
ALL of the people in the early church understood that Jesus was talking to everyone in the church when He said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” And they ALL obeyed Him and did it.
Even though there was a lot of persecution at that time. And they could even die for obeying Jesus. That is total devotion and commitment to Jesus.
Actually all of the apostles except John did die because they followed and obeyed Jesus. And others like Stephen and Paul died also.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
What God Can Do Through Humble & Devoted People
Here is the result of such total devotion & commitment to Jesus. And obedience to His command in Matthew 4:19.
Acts 11:19-21 – “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the LORD Jesus. 21 The LORD’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the LORD.”
God’s Presence, God’s Power, God’s Resources…
The Lord’s hand in Acts 11:21 represents His presence, His glory, His resources, and His power. God was doing the mission work through the regular people of the church. And it was God who was producing many salvations and eternal spiritual fruit.
Everyone in the church did their part. And God was able to bless and empower them. And then God produced the results and the eternal spiritual fruit.
They all saw God do great things because of their obedience and devotion to Jesus. And they were all in awe of God and the great things He did. That is the way it should be, and could be today.
The 1st Part of God’s Mission is for all of us to be “fishers of men”. To actively in our daily lives go and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And share with as many people as we can. Because God wants all people to be saved.
Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, Signs And Wonders, & The Early Church
There is a 2nd Part of God’s Mission
Matthew 28:18-20 is the Great Commission. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Once we reach people for Jesus with the Gospel and they are saved, they are new believers. They are babies in the faith and God wants all of us to help them to grow spiritually.
God Wants Disciples Not Just Converts
God does not just want converts. He wants faithful, passionately devoted and fruitful and Spirit-filled disciples (followers).
All of us in the church are to participate in this part of God’s mission also. To make disciples.
We are all to invest our time, efforts, and resources to fulfill this part of the mission. Invest into the lives of other believers, especially new believers, to help them to grow spiritually. And to help them to grow closer to Jesus and be more like Him.
This is not just the job of the pastor(s) or Sunday School teachers. Or small group leaders. It is the job of all of us in the church.
We can all invest our time to help others to grow spiritually. And to love them, and encourage them, and to help them learn to read the Bible. And help them to learn to pray and hear God’s voice.
When we are faithful and do our part, then God will do His part. And He will produce fruit. The eternal fruit of salvations and spiritual growth.
Then we will be the kind of church that God wants. A Spirit-filled, powerful, victorious, and fruitful Christian and church. And the world around us will be greatly impacted.
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Religion vs Relationship With God(opens in new tab)
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Why Should You Pray & Spend Time With God ?(opens in new tab)
Is Jesus Your First Love ?(opens in new tab)
Is Jesus Your First Love ? Part 2(opens in new tab)
Prayer Is Passion To Seek & Know God(opens in new tab)
God’s Purpose & Mission For You And Your Church(opens in new tab)
Spiritual Gifts: All Christians Have Gifts(opens in new tab)
Hope In A Dark World(opens in new tab)
Jesus Wants To Heal You & Set You Free(opens in new tab)
Salvation & The Gospel Of Jesus Christ(opens in new tab)
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Kevin Bart has been a follower of Jesus for over 40 years. Kevin has taught Bible study classes, small groups, and discipleship classes for many years. He developed Pursuing Intimacy With God Bible studies website and book after many years of seeking God and studying His word. Kevin and his wife Nancy have 3 sons and 2 precious grandchildren.
Kevin is a former business owner, and current international missions ministry leader with more than four decades of combined business and ministry experience. After building and running a successful business for 23 years, with God’s guidance and blessings, he sold his company to dedicate himself to full-time global missions.
For over 20 years, Kevin and his wife Nancy have led a self funded international missions ministry. Utilizing learned business and financial management skills, as well as knowledge and experience in travel points and miles, to date they have had more than 5o mission trips to 36 countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
After many years of studying the Bible and the Book of Revelation, and writing many Bible studies and articles, Kevin finally finished Unraveling The Mysteries of the Book Of Revelation. Hopefully it will be a blessing to many people.
