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Verse-by-Verse Commentary

The Book of Acts

Chapter 2: The Birth of the Church

Acts 2 is the birthday of the church. The promise Jesus made in chapter 1 is fulfilled: the Holy Spirit is poured out, the believers are filled and speak with other tongues, and Peter stands to preach the first gospel sermon of the new covenant. When the convicted crowd cries out, 'What shall we do?', Peter gives the answer that launched the church and has never changed: repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the Apostolic pattern, in its very first hour.

About This Commentary

This is a verse-by-verse study of Acts chapter 2. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Acts 2 records the outpouring of the Spirit and the first preaching of the full gospel, giving the pattern by which people entered the church. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.

Setting the Stage

The Day

Pentecost

Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks, fell fifty days after Passover. On this day, with Jerusalem full of pilgrims, God poured out His Spirit and the church was born in power.

The Promise Kept

The Spirit Poured Out

Jesus had told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5). In chapter 2 that promise arrives, and they are baptized with the Holy Spirit as He said.

The First Sermon

Peter Preaches Christ

Peter, so recently a denier, stands filled with the Spirit and preaches Jesus crucified, risen, and exalted as Lord and Christ, and three thousand are added to the church.

The Big Idea

The Pattern of Entry

Acts 2 gives the church its founding message: how a convicted sinner responds to the gospel, by repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and receiving the Holy Spirit.

The Outpouring

Filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)

The promised Spirit falls, and the waiting believers are filled and begin to speak with other tongues.

Acts 2:1-15

They Began to Speak with Other Tongues

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 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: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day."

Greek Study

On Pentecost the disciples are all "filled (eplesthesan) with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues (heterais glossais), as the Spirit gave them utterance." The sound as of wind (pnoe, related to pneuma, spirit) and the "cloven tongues like as of fire" mark the arrival of the promised baptism. The speaking in tongues is the outward, audible evidence that the Spirit has come -- exactly what Jesus promised in 1:5. This is the pattern the Apostolic church will recognize again at Cornelius's house (10:46) and at Ephesus (19:6): the infilling of the Spirit accompanied by tongues.

Explanation

On the day of Pentecost the believers were gathered, and suddenly there came a sound like a rushing mighty wind and what looked like divided tongues of fire resting on each of them. Then they "were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues." The wind and fire were signs; the speaking with tongues was the immediate evidence that they had been filled. This was the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that they would be "baptized with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 1:5).

Gospel Focus

Here the church is born, not in mere emotion or ceremony, but in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with a visible, audible sign: they "began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Throughout Acts, this experience of being filled with the Spirit and speaking with tongues recurs as the sign that people had received the Spirit (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). This was not the gift of human languages learned by study but a Spirit-given utterance. Pentecost sets the pattern: the promised Spirit truly indwells and fills believers, and the same Spirit poured out here is the gift promised "to all that are afar off" (verse 39). The power Jesus said the church would need had come.

This Is What Was Spoken

The Prophecy of Joel Fulfilled (Acts 2:16-21)

Peter explains the outpouring by pointing to the prophet Joel, and to the last days now begun.

Acts 2:16-37

I Will Pour Out of My Spirit

"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 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: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 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: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 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. 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; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 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. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 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?"

Greek Study

Peter identifies the outpouring as Joel's prophecy -- "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh" -- and drives to his conclusion: God has made this crucified Jesus "both Lord and Christ." The title Kyrios (Lord) is the word the Greek Old Testament uses to render YHWH, the divine name. Peter applies to Jesus the very promise "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" -- a text about calling on YHWH, now fulfilled in calling on Jesus. The Lord on whose name we call for salvation is Jesus Christ Himself.

Explanation

Peter's Pentecost sermon presents Jesus of Nazareth crucified and risen, and proves from David's psalms that the resurrection was foretold and the Messiah exalted to God's right hand. His climax lands with force: "God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." The hearers are "pricked in their heart" and cry, "what shall we do?" -- the exact question the gospel is meant to provoke. The Spirit-filled preaching of the crucified and risen Lord brings conviction, and conviction seeks a remedy -- which Peter is about to give in the clearest terms in Scripture.

Gospel Focus

When mockers said the believers were drunk, Peter answered that this was no wine but the fulfillment of Scripture: "this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel." God had promised to "pour out of My Spirit on all flesh", and that day had come. Two truths stand out. First, we are living in "the last days," the age of the outpoured Spirit that began at Pentecost and continues until Christ returns. Second, the promise is for "all flesh", not limited by age, gender, or class; sons and daughters, young and old, servants alike. The gift of the Spirit is not for a select few but for all who will come. And Peter's sermon builds to Joel's climax: "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (verse 21), a name Peter is about to make gloriously specific.

What Shall We Do?

Repent and Be Baptized (Acts 2:38-39)

Pierced to the heart, the crowd asks how to respond, and Peter gives the founding answer of the church.

Acts 2:38-47

In the Name of Jesus Christ

"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. 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. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 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, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Greek Study

"Repent," metanoeo (μετανοέω). To change the mind and turn, a decisive turning from sin to God. It is the first response the gospel calls for.

"In the name of Jesus Christ," epi to onomati (ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι). Peter names the specific name in which to be baptized. Throughout Acts, the apostles baptized calling on the name of Jesus (Acts 8:16; 10:48; 19:5), the saving name of Acts 2:21 made explicit.

Explanation

To the convicted crowd Peter gives the Apostolic answer, the pattern for entering the new covenant: "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." Three elements form one experience of the new birth -- repentance turning from sin, water baptism in the name of Jesus for the washing away of sins, and the gift of the indwelling Spirit. Baptism is "in the name of Jesus Christ," for that is the saving name (4:12), the name in which Father, Son, and Spirit are revealed. And the promise is not for that generation only: "the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off" -- to us. Three thousand obey that day, and the church is born, devoted to the apostles' doctrine, breaking of bread, and prayers.

Gospel Focus

This is the answer the church was born on, the Apostolic gospel in one verse. When the convicted crowd cried, "what shall we do?" (verse 37), Peter did not tell them merely to believe and pray a prayer; he told them how to respond fully to the gospel: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Repentance turns from sin; baptism in the name of Jesus Christ applies the remission His blood purchased; and the gift of the Holy Spirit is the same outpouring the disciples had just received. Peter, to whom Jesus gave "the keys of the kingdom" (Matthew 16:19), here uses them to open the door. And the promise is not for that crowd only but "to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call", it reaches to us. This is how the first church entered, and it is the pattern held out to everyone still.

Chapter 2 in Review

Acts 2 is the birth of the church. On the day of Pentecost the promised Holy Spirit is poured out; the believers are filled and speak with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. Peter explains that this fulfills Joel's prophecy of God pouring out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days, and preaches Jesus crucified, risen, and exalted as Lord and Christ. When the crowd is pierced to the heart and asks what to do, Peter gives the founding answer: repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand respond, and the church begins.

For the Apostolic reader, this chapter is the cornerstone. Here the Spirit is poured out with the sign of tongues, here the last-days outpouring for all flesh begins, and here the pattern of entering the church is given in Peter's own words. The promise, Peter says, is for everyone the Lord will call, including us. Acts 2 is not merely history; it is the founding message and experience of the New Testament church, and it still calls every hearer to repent, be baptized in Jesus' name, and receive the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways
  • The church was born in the outpouring of the Spirit, with speaking in tongues as the sign (Acts 10:46).
  • We live in the last days of the Spirit poured out on all flesh, for all who will come (Joel 2:28).
  • Peter's Acts 2:38 answer is the Apostolic pattern: repent, be baptized in Jesus' name, receive the Spirit.
  • The promise is "to all that are afar off," reaching to every generation, including ours.

Questions for Reflection

  • The Spirit was poured out with power and a sign. Have you sought the fullness of the Holy Spirit Jesus promised?
  • Peter answered "what shall we do?" plainly. How does his answer shape your understanding of responding to the gospel?
  • The promise is "to all that are afar off... even as many as the Lord our God shall call." How does it move you that this includes you?

References & Sources

Scripture is quoted from the King James Version (KJV). The Greek terms are standard and can be checked in any lexicon. Supporting passages are listed so every claim can be verified in its own setting. If anything here does not look right, a verse, a reference, or a wording, please tell us at info@FruitBearers.net. Thank you for helping us keep Bible Learning error free.

  1. The outpouring and speaking with tongues: Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46; 19:6.
  2. Joel's prophecy of the Spirit on all flesh: Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32.
  3. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved: Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13.
  4. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ: Acts 2:38-39; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5.
  5. The first church continuing steadfastly: Acts 2:41-47.
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