Acts 2 explained: The Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Wind, fire and languages (vv. 1-13)

At Pentecost, a Jewish harvest festival fifty days after Passover, a roar like wind and flame-like shapes resting on each person mark the arrival of God's Spirit; in both Hebrew and Greek the same word can mean wind or spirit. Jesus' followers begin speaking languages they never learned, and Jews and converts visiting from across the known world hear God praised in their own tongues, though some scoff that they are drunk.

Peter explains with Joel (vv. 14-21)

Peter points out it is only nine in the morning, too early for drunkenness, and says this is what the prophet Joel foresaw: God's Spirit poured on everyone, young and old, women and men, even servants. Readers differ on Joel's darkened sun and blood-red moon, some seeing picture language for a world-changing moment and others linking them to the darkness at the crucifixion or to events still to come.

Jesus killed and raised (vv. 22-24)

Speaking as a Jew to a Jerusalem crowd weeks after the crucifixion, Peter says Jesus died by God's plan yet through human choices, theirs and those of men outside the law (translations say 'wicked' or 'lawless'), most likely the Romans, and that God raised him. Christians later used lines like this to blame Jewish people in every age, a reading most churches now firmly reject.

David's psalms point beyond him (vv. 25-36)

Quoting Psalm 16, Peter argues that David died and his tomb is still there, so the promise of not seeing decay must point to David's descendant, the Messiah (God's promised king), though Jewish readers have generally taken the psalm as David's own trust in God. Using Psalm 110, he says the risen Jesus now sits at God's 'right hand', the place of highest honor, and has poured out the Spirit the crowd is witnessing.

Turn and be baptized (vv. 37-41)

Stung, the crowd asks what to do, and Peter tells them to repent, meaning turn around in mind and life, and to be baptized, washed in water in Jesus' name, which about 3,000 do. Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant Christians read verse 38 as baptism truly bringing forgiveness, while many other Protestants see it as the outward sign of forgiveness already received through faith.

A sharing community (vv. 42-47)

The new believers learn from the apostles (Jesus' chosen messengers), eat and pray together, and sell belongings to meet anyone's need, while still worshiping daily at the Temple as Jews. 'Breaking bread' probably means shared meals that included the Lord's Supper, the meal remembering Jesus' last supper, and readers differ on whether this sharing of goods is a pattern for every church or a portrait of one unique moment.

Key verse: Acts 2:17

Where Christians differ

Pentecostal and charismatic Christians see this outpouring of the Spirit, including speaking in other languages, as a pattern believers can still expect today, while many other Christians see it as a one-time founding event whose dramatic signs are not the norm.

Something to think about

When the same event leaves some people amazed and others scoffing, what do you think shapes which way a person goes?