Acts of the Apostles - Chapter 2

Acts of the Apostles 2.1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts of the Apostles 2.2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Acts of the Apostles 2.3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Acts of the Apostles 2.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts of the Apostles 2.5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Acts of the Apostles 2.6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. Acts of the Apostles 2.7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? Acts of the Apostles 2.8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Acts of the Apostles 2.9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Acts of the Apostles 2.10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Acts of the Apostles 2.11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Acts of the Apostles 2.12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Acts of the Apostles 2.13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. Acts of the Apostles 2.14 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: Acts of the Apostles 2.15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. Acts of the Apostles 2.16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; Acts of the Apostles 2.17 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: Acts of the Apostles 2.18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: Acts of the Apostles 2.19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: Acts of the Apostles 2.20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: Acts of the Apostles 2.21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts of the Apostles 2.22 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: Acts of the Apostles 2.23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Acts of the Apostles 2.24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Acts of the Apostles 2.25 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: Acts of the Apostles 2.26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Acts of the Apostles 2.27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts of the Apostles 2.28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Acts of the Apostles 2.29 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. Acts of the Apostles 2.30 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; Acts of the Apostles 2.31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Acts of the Apostles 2.32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Acts of the Apostles 2.33 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. Acts of the Apostles 2.34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Acts of the Apostles 2.35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Acts of the Apostles 2.36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts of the Apostles 2.37 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? Acts of the Apostles 2.38 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. Acts of the Apostles 2.39 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. Acts of the Apostles 2.40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Acts of the Apostles 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts of the Apostles 2.42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts of the Apostles 2.43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Acts of the Apostles 2.44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Acts of the Apostles 2.45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts of the Apostles 2.46 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, Acts of the Apostles 2.47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts of the Apostles : Chapter 2

Pentecost and the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles recounts a fundamental event for the Christian faith: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This event marks a decisive turning point in the disciples' lives, transforming their timidity into boldness and their despair into hope. This essential text describes the coming of the Spirit, the gift of tongues, and the first preaching of the Apostle Peter, thus laying the foundations of the Church.

Through this outpouring, we witness the birth of the Church, with the conversion of 3,000 people, testifying to the power of the Holy Spirit. Chapter 2 introduces central themes such as the power of the Spirit, the bold proclamation of the Gospel, and the community life of believers. We invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that illustrate the transformative events of this crucial chapter.

1. Joel 2:28-32

In this passage, it is written: "And afterward I will pour out my Spirit on all peoples. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, the old will dream dreams, and the young will see visions." Peter quotes this prophecy in Acts 2:17-21 to explain the event of Pentecost, thus emphasizing the universality of the gift of the Spirit.

2. Psalms 16:8-11

This passage declares: "For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you allow your Holy One to suffer decay." Peter refers to this text in Acts 2:25-28 as a prophecy of Jesus' resurrection, thus affirming Christ's victory over death.

3. Psalm 110:1

The psalm says: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" Peter uses this psalm in Acts 2:34-35 to argue for the exaltation of Jesus, affirming his divine authority.

4. Ezekiel 36:26-27

In this passage, God promises: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take away your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This promise of the Spirit is fulfilled at the event of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2, revealing the inner transformation of believers.

5. Isaiah 44:3

Isaiah prophesies: "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry land; I will pour my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your children." This promise is also fulfilled in the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, confirming God's commitment to his people.

Meditating on these passages, we are invited to reflect on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to embrace the mission of the Church, and to live in community in love and faith. May this Pentecostal event inspire us to be ardent witnesses to the Gospel.