Acts 2

1 et cum conplerentur dies pentecostes erant omnes pariter in eodem loco

2 et factus est repente de caelo sonus tamquam advenientis spiritus vehementis et replevit totam domum ubi erant sedentes

3 et apparuerunt illis dispertitae linguae tamquam ignis seditque supra singulos eorum

4 et repleti sunt omnes Spiritu Sancto et coeperunt loqui aliis linguis prout Spiritus Sanctus dabat eloqui illis

5 erant autem in Hierusalem habitantes Iudaei viri religiosi ex omni natione quae sub caelo sunt

6 facta autem hac voce convenit multitudo et mente confusa est quoniam audiebat unusquisque lingua sua illos loquentes

7 stupebant autem omnes et mirabantur dicentes nonne omnes ecce isti qui loquuntur Galilaei sunt

8 et quomodo nos audivimus unusquisque lingua nostra in qua nati sumus

9 Parthi et Medi et Elamitae et qui habitant Mesopotamiam et Iudaeam et Cappadociam Pontum et Asiam

10 Frygiam et Pamphiliam Aegyptum et partes Lybiae quae est circa Cyrenen et advenae romani

11 Iudaei quoque et proselyti Cretes et Arabes audivimus loquentes eos nostris linguis magnalia Dei

12 stupebant autem omnes et mirabantur ad invicem dicentes quidnam hoc vult esse

13 alii autem inridentes dicebant quia musto pleni sunt isti

14 stans autem Petrus cum undecim levavit vocem suam et locutus est eis viri iudaei et qui habitatis Hierusalem universi hoc vobis notum sit et auribus percipite verba mea

15 non enim sicut vos aestimatis hii ebrii sunt cum sit hora diei tertia

16 sed hoc est quod dictum est per prophetam Iohel

17 et erit in novissimis diebus dicit Dominus effundam de Spiritu meo super omnem carnem et prophetabunt filii vestri et filiae vestrae et iuvenes vestri visiones videbunt et seniores vestri somnia somniabunt

18 et quidem super servos meos et super ancillas meas in diebus illis effundam de Spiritu meo et prophetabunt

19 et dabo prodigia in caelo sursum et signa in terra deorsum sanguinem et ignem et vaporem fumi

20 sol convertetur in tenebras et luna in sanguinem antequam veniat dies Domini magnus et manifestus

21 et erit omnis quicumque invocaverit nomen Domini salvus erit

22 viri israhelitae audite verba haec Iesum Nazarenum virum adprobatum a Deo in vobis virtutibus et prodigiis et signis quae fecit per illum Deus in medio vestri sicut vos scitis

23 hunc definito consilio et praescientia Dei traditum per manus iniquorum adfigentes interemistis

24 quem Deus suscitavit solutis doloribus inferni iuxta quod inpossibile erat teneri illum ab eo

25 David enim dicit in eum providebam Dominum coram me semper quoniam a dextris meis est ne commovear

26 propter hoc laetatum est cor meum et exultavit lingua mea insuper et caro mea requiescet in spe

27 quoniam non derelinques animam meam in inferno neque dabis Sanctum tuum videre corruptionem

28 notas fecisti mihi vias vitae replebis me iucunditate cum facie tua

29 viri fratres liceat audenter dicere ad vos de patriarcha David quoniam et defunctus est et sepultus est et sepulchrum eius est apud nos usque in hodiernum diem

30 propheta igitur cum esset et sciret quia iureiurando iurasset illi Deus de fructu lumbi eius sedere super sedem eius

31 providens locutus est de resurrectione Christi quia neque derelictus est in inferno neque caro eius vidit corruptionem

32 hunc Iesum resuscitavit Deus cui omnes nos testes sumus

33 dextera igitur Dei exaltatus et promissione Spiritus Sancti accepta a Patre effudit hunc quem vos videtis et audistis

34 non enim David ascendit in caelos dicit autem ipse dixit Dominus Domino meo sede a dextris meis

35 donec ponam inimicos tuos scabillum pedum tuorum

36 certissime ergo sciat omnis domus Israhel quia et Dominum eum et Christum Deus fecit hunc Iesum quem vos crucifixistis

37 his auditis conpuncti sunt corde et dixerunt ad Petrum et ad reliquos apostolos quid faciemus viri fratres

38 Petrus vero ad illos paenitentiam inquit agite et baptizetur unusquisque vestrum in nomine Iesu Christi in remissionem peccatorum vestrorum et accipietis donum Sancti Spiritus

39 vobis enim est repromissio et filiis vestris et omnibus qui longe sunt quoscumque advocaverit Dominus Deus noster

40 aliis etiam verbis pluribus testificatus est et exhortabatur eos dicens salvamini a generatione ista prava

41 qui ergo receperunt sermonem eius baptizati sunt et adpositae sunt in illa die animae circiter tria milia

42 erant autem perseverantes in doctrina apostolorum et communicatione fractionis panis et orationibus

43 fiebat autem omni animae timor multa quoque prodigia et signa per apostolos fiebant in Hierusalem et metus erat magnus in universis

44 omnes etiam qui credebant erant pariter et habebant omnia communia

45 possessiones et substantias vendebant et dividebant illa omnibus prout cuique opus erat

46 cotidie quoque perdurantes unianimiter in templo et frangentes circa domos panem sumebant cibum cum exultatione et simplicitate cordis

47 conlaudantes Deum et habentes gratiam ad omnem plebem Dominus autem augebat qui salvi fierent cotidie in id ipsum

Acts 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

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)

Verses 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 though or meditation, but as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Verses 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.

Verses 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.

Verses 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.

Verses 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.

Verses 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.