Chapter 2
Two things characterize Christianity—a glorified Man in heaven and the Holy Spirit dwelling on earth in believers (John 7:3939(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39)). In chapter 1, we have the first, and now in chapter 2, we get the second.
The Day of Pentecost
Vss. 1-4—Luke says, “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 in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Pentecost was one of the three greatest feasts on the Jewish calendar. In the Old Testament, it is called “the feast of weeks” (Deut. 16:1616Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: (Deuteronomy 16:16)), but the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews who lived outside the land of Israel) called it “Pentecost,” which means “the fiftieth.” They called it that because it was held 50 days after the Passover (Lev. 23:15-1615And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: 16Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord. (Leviticus 23:15‑16)). The Passover has had its fulfilment in the death of Christ (1 Cor. 5:77Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (1 Corinthians 5:7)) and Pentecost has had its fulfilment in the coming of the Holy Spirit. What is significant about the feast of Pentecost is that there was “a new meat offering” presented to Jehovah consisting of two loaves made with leaven. These loaves represent an election of believers from among both the Jews and the Gentiles, of which the Church of God is composed (Eph. 2:11-2211Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11‑22)).
The first four verses of the chapter tell us what happened on that inaugural day, and the remaining verses give us the grand results. The Spirit of God had come to reside on earth by dwelling in each of the 120 believers who were assembled in that upper room in Jerusalem. They did not know it at the time, but the Spirit had formed a union in them with Christ in heaven by virtue of His indwelling presence, and in doing so, the Church was brought into existence. Those 120 believers had become “one body in Christ” (Rom. 12:55So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:5)). They were like 120 loose beads in a dish, which someone took and strung into a necklace. They became one unit. The Spirit of God would teach them later what He had done on that day by raising up a special vessel of God’s choosing for that purpose—the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:1515But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 9:15)). He would teach the Church the truth of the Church (Eph. 3:2-92If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:2‑9)).
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
This action of the Spirit which was promised of the Father is the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:4-54And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:4‑5)). As mentioned, it is what formed the body of Christ. It was a corporate action that took place on the day of Pentecost in connection with Jewish believers (Acts 2), and was extended later to take in Gentile believers (Acts 10). Thereafter, the baptism of the Spirit was complete for all time and will never be repeated. It was something that happened once in history; the Spirit is no longer baptizing today. If He were baptizing today, He would be forming more and more bodies of Christ—because that was the function of His baptizing! This could not be because it would contradict the Scripture which says, “There is one body” (Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)).
The fact that the baptism of the Spirit is a historical event that took place once for all time can be seen in the seven references to it in Scripture. Five of these references point forward from the time in which they were uttered, to a coming action of the Spirit (Matt. 3:1111I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11); Mark 1:88I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 1:8); Luke 3:1616John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16); John 1:3333And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33); Acts 1:55For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)). The sixth (Acts 11:1616Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:16)) and seventh (1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)) references point backward in time to an action of the Spirit that had happened. What action of the Spirit occurred between these two groups of references other than what took place in Acts 2 and in Acts 10? These are the only references in Scripture to the baptism of the Spirit. As a rule, when the baptizing of the Spirit is in view in Scripture, it will state that it is the baptism of the Spirit, so that we wouldn’t confuse it with water baptism. Moreover, each time the baptism of the Spirit is mentioned, it is always referring to the saints collectively (as a company of believers). No individual, by himself, was ever baptized with the Holy Spirit.
First Corinthians 12:13 is key to understanding the baptism of the Spirit. It says, “For also in the power of one Spirit we have all been baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or free, and have all been given to drink of one Spirit.” We see from this that the Spirit’s baptism is what formed the body of Christ. This verse is in the aorist tense in the Greek, meaning that it was a once-for-all-time act. This passage shows that the Spirit took those individual believers in the upper room and formed them “into one body.” Prior to that, the body of Christ did not exist. Note carefully, the verse does not say, “We have been baptized into the one body.” This would mean that the baptism of the Spirit brings believers into the body, which is a common error held by most non-charismatic, evangelical Christians. Reading “the” into the verse and placing it before the words, “one body,” changes the meaning entirely. Now it is quite true that all believers on earth are in the body of Christ, but they didn’t get there through the Spirit’s baptism, but through the sealing of the Spirit, which occurs in a person when he believes the gospel (Eph. 1:13; 4:3013In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)). He is thereby “added” to the Lord (Acts 5:1414And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) (Acts 5:14)) and to the Church (Acts 2:4747Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)) by receiving the gift of the Spirit. Those who think that a person is made part of the body of Christ by the Spirit’s baptizing are confusing the baptism of the Spirit with the sealing of the Spirit.
Some have wondered that if 1st Corinthians 12:13 is referring to Pentecost, why would Paul speak of himself and the Corinthians as being baptized by the Spirit? He said, “We ... ” but they were not even saved when the Spirit came at Pentecost. The answer is that Paul was speaking representatively on behalf of the whole Christian company; he was not speaking of himself and the Corinthians only. He said, “We (the whole Christian company) have all been baptized into one body”—referring back to the action of the Spirit at Pentecost. It is something like the incorporation of a company. It is incorporated once, and that may have been a hundred years ago. But now that the company has been formed, each time the firm takes on a new employee it doesn’t get incorporated again. Nor is there any such thing as every new employee in the company being incorporated. The new employee is merely added to an already incorporated company. Likewise, when someone gets saved today, he is added by the indwelling presence of the Spirit to an already baptized body of believers. There is no new baptism for the Christian company each time a new believer is saved.
To take our illustration a little further, suppose we listened in on one of that company’s board meetings and heard one of the directors say, “We were incorporated 100 years ago.” Someone who didn’t understand the language very well might say, “What does that person mean? None of these people in this meeting are over 60 years of age, how can this man say, ‘We ... a hundred years ago ... ?’” Well, it’s because the director was speaking representatively of the company. Likewise, in 1st Corinthians 12:13, Paul was speaking of the forming of the body of Christ, of which each member has a part, and in that sense, are embraced in the baptism that took place at Pentecost.
A Happy Unity
As the Church began, so shall it end. On that day of Pentecost, the saints were “all with one accord,” they were “all in one place” (vs. 1), and they were “all filled with the Holy Spirit” (vs. 4). When the Lord comes to call the Church home to heaven at the Rapture, we will all be in one place, we will all be with one accord, and we will all be filled with the Holy Spirit! Sad to say, in the intervening years, the Church has been anything but that. We have to bow our heads and own that we (the Church) are divided in spirit and scattered into a thousand denominational distinctions. We are not in agreement on most doctrines and issues, and very few are filled with the Spirit. While this is the case at the present time, as the Church has had a glorious beginning, it will have an even more glorious end when it is called away to heaven.
Two Aspects of the Spirit’s Presence
When the Spirit of God came upon that company of believers on the day of Pentecost, His presence was known in two ways—He dwelt among them collectively and He also dwelt in each one of them individually. This is seen in the fact that the Spirit “filled all the house where they were sitting” (vs. 2), and “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost [Spirit]” (vs. 4). (See also John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)—“He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”) Thus, He would work among them corporately and individually. It is important to see that it was a Person, not merely a power or an influence, that had been given to them. The Spirit of God came to reside on earth to work in and among believers, and He has been doing so for almost 2000 years.
In discussing the presence of the Spirit, it is important to distinguish between the reception of the Spirit and the filling of the Spirit. The former was a one-time thing when we were saved and sealed upon believing the gospel (1 Thess. 4:88He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4:8); Eph. 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13); 1 John 3:2424And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3:24)), and the latter is connected with our state of soul, whereby the Spirit can have absolute control of our lives if we are walking in communion. In the history of a Christian, he is sealed once for all time (Eph. 4:3030And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)), but he may need to be filled many times due to the fluctuating state of his soul. There is no exhortation in the Bible telling us to be sealed with the Spirit, but there is an exhortation to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18)).
Visible Signs of the Spirit’s Presence
Since the presence of the Spirit of God is not visible to the human eye, it was necessary that His coming would be accompanied with outward signs that could be seen to give evidence of the fact. At the first, there were three signs given, but many more “wonders and signs” were added later (vs. 43):
There was the sound of “a rushing mighty wind” (vs. 2).
There appeared “cloven tongues like as of fire” (vs. 3).
They spoke with “other tongues” (vs. 4).
Thus, there was something the people heard (wind), something they saw (fire), and something they understood—(voices speaking various known languages). The “mighty rushing wind” from “heaven” gave evidence of the fact that the power for this new departure was from God in heaven. The “cloven tongues” of “fire” which sat on each of them bore witness of the fact that the testimony that was to go forth concerning this new thing would be in accordance with God’s holiness. There would be judgment (of which fire is a symbol) on any connected with this movement of the Spirit who didn’t accord himself appropriately with the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:16-1716Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (1 Peter 1:16‑17)). The “other tongues” indicated that the result would be a world-wide testimony that would go out to all nations through the gospel. The gift of tongues is a spiritual gift whereby the person who possesses the gift is enabled to speak in a foreign language without ever having learned that language. It would be particularly useful in the mission field (1 Cor. 14:18-2218I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (1 Corinthians 14:18‑22)).
What exactly happened on that day? The Spirit of God was testifying to all that a new dispensation had begun in the ways of God. Just as the introduction of the old legal dispensation under Moses was accompanied with outward signs (Heb. 12:18-2118For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) (Hebrews 12:18‑21)), so also was this new dispensation of grace inaugurated with wonders and signs. And, so will the coming “dispensation of the fulness of times” in the Millennium (Eph. 1:1010That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)) be introduced with outward signs (Isa. 35:1-101The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. 3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 7And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 9No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 10And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:1‑10); Joel 2:21-3221Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. 22Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. 23Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. 27And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. 28And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. 32And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. (Joel 2:21‑32), etc.). These miraculous things were intended to arrest the attention of all and cause them to inquire as to why they were happening. They would, thereupon, be given a verbal testimony from the apostles as to the way of salvation.
The Church Did Not Exist in Old Testament Times
The day of Pentecost was the Church’s birthday. Scripture clearly teaches that it was not in existence before that inaugural moment. In fact, it formed no part of the Old Testament revelation. The Church could not exist until Christ came, died on the cross, rose from the dead, ascended on high, and sent the Spirit to dwell in believers. The following four facts prove this:
• CHRIST'S LIFE & MINISTRY—In the days of the Lord's earthly ministry, He taught the disciples that He would build the Church at some future time. He indicated this by His use of the word “will.” He said, "Upon this rock I will build My Church" (Matt. 16:1818And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)). Clearly, it was not in existence when He made that statement.
• CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION—Ephesians 1:20-2320Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:20‑23) and Colossians 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18) indicate that before the Church could be brought into existence, Christ, who was destined to be its Head, first had to rise from the dead and ascend into heaven.
• CHRIST'S SENDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT—1St Corinthians 12:13 states that the Church was formed by the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in this new company of believers. This did not happen until Pentecost.
The Testimony of Tongues
Vss. 5-13—The Hellenist Jews (Jews born and raised in other countries) who had come to Jerusalem for the feast heard the testimony go forth from the house where the apostles abode. That there was a “multitude” of people around the house to witness what had happened indicates that the house must have been on a busy street in Jerusalem. The people were astounded that these “unlearned and ignorant men” (chap. 4:13) could speak the languages of the countries from which they had come. At least 16 different languages were spoken that day!
The significance of this miracle of speaking in tongues is clear. It indicated that the Spirit of God had come to make known the gospel to “every nation under heaven.” There were no Gentiles there on that day to hear these languages spoken (except “proselytes”—Gentiles who had converted to Judaism), but they would hear the blessed news shortly, for the apostles were about to be sent out to the nations to proclaim the good news (chaps. 1:8; 13:46-47; 28:28). Those who would believe the gospel would be made part of the Church, the body of Christ, and thus, this new company would be composed of believing Jews and Gentiles.
What did the people hear? They heard (and understood) the proclamation of “the wonderful works of God” in the language of the country from which they came (vs. 11). How could this be? This can only be explained by understanding that it was the miracle of the gift of tongues. The apostles spoke in an orderly fashion, under the control and leading of the Spirit, for it was all done “as the Spirit gave them utterance” (vs. 4). This means that He wouldn’t have led them to speak all those languages at the same time—it would have been confusion, and “God is not the Author of confusion” (1 Cor. 14:32-3332And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:32‑33)). Those in the multitude who didn’t know the particular language that was being uttered at a given time (not being from that country) may have thought that it was gibberish and dismissed it—until one of the apostles spoke in their language! This was an undeniably powerful testimony.
Peter’s Address
Vss. 14-36—With boldness and Spirit-given courage, Peter stood forth and proceeded to set out the great historical facts of the gospel. His address would have been delivered in the Hebrew language, which all present understood. His aim was to prove from Scripture that the Jews had committed the most outrageous sin of rejecting and crucifying their Messiah, and that this put them at great variance with God who had set His highest approval on Him by raising Him from the dead and setting Him at His own right hand. The nation was, therefore, on a collision course with God’s judgment. The good news was that “whosoever” called upon “the name of the Lord” could be “saved” (vs. 21).
The address has three parts; each is introduced with a slightly different personal appeal to the people:
In the first part, Peter addresses them as, “Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem” (vss. 14-21).
In the second part, he addresses them as, “Ye men of Israel” (vss. 22-28).
In the third part, he addresses them as, “Men and brethren” (vss. 29-36).
As we will see, all three parts of the address are based on Scripture. Peter quotes from the prophet Joel and from two Messianic psalms of David.
The Coming of the Spirit is Accordingto the Prophecy of Joel
Vss. 14-21—Peter began by refuting the charge of drunkenness. How could they be drunk when it was only “the third hour of the day?” This is our nine o’clock in the morning. A. C. Gaebelein explains that on Sabbath days and on all special feast days such as Pentecost, it was a universal custom among the Jews (called “Chasidim”) that no one was to taste food or drink before they had completed their morning prayers, which began at that hour and took about an hour to complete (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 52). Peter’s point was: How could they possibly be drunk when no one is allowed to drink anything at that hour?
Peter then proceeded to explain that what had happened had come from God and was according to the Scriptures. What the people had seen and heard regarding the Spirit’s presence was not some novelty or trickery performed by the apostles, but something that was stated in the book of Joel. The prophet Joel had predicted that there would be a pouring out of the Spirit “upon all flesh” in “the last days.” Peter said, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.” Note: he didn’t say that it was a fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy. “That which,” implies that it was of that character without it being the actual thing. As a rule, when something in the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New, it will state that it is (e.g. John 19:28-29, 3628After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. (John 19:28‑29)
36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. (John 19:36); Acts 1:1616Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. (Acts 1:16)). But if an Old Testament Scripture is quoted in the New and it does not say that it is fulfilled, it is referring to the thing in question being of that character, but not necessarily a fulfilment of it (John 19:3737And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. (John 19:37); Acts 2:1616But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (Acts 2:16), etc.). This prophecy of Joel will have its fulfilment at the end of the age when Christ appears and restores the nation of Israel.
Two Different “Last Days”
In quoting the prophet Joel, Peter translates the word “afterward” (Joel 2:2828And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (Joel 2:28)) as “the last days.” Many Christians think that this is referring to the last days of the Church on earth (e.g. 1 Tim. 4:11Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1); 2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1); 2 Peter 3:33Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (2 Peter 3:3); 1 John 2:1818Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18); Jude 1818How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (Jude 18)). They imagine that there has been a Pentecostal-like outpouring of the Spirit of God today in the Church, and those in tune with the Spirit (“baptized in the Spirit” as they mistakenly call it) have been given miraculous powers to speak with tongues, etc. But anyone who examines what they claim to have in the light of Scripture will find that it is counterfeit. It is, in fact, part of the deception that Paul forewarned would come into the Christian testimony in its closing days. He said, “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth” (2 Tim. 3:88Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy 3:8)). Jannes and Jambres were the Egyptian magicians who with their enchantments imitated the miracles that Moses did by the power of God (Ex. 7:11-1211Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:11‑12)). We are not saying that those today who are in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement are all evil magicians—most of them are true believers—but that those things which they are involved in are an imitation of the power of God.
Joel couldn’t have been speaking of the Church in its last days because he lived in Old Testament times when the subject of the Church was still a “secret” that was “hid in God.” It was not known until the Spirit was given in New Testament times (Rom. 16:2525Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (Romans 16:25); Eph. 3:2-112If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3:2‑11); Col. 1:24-2724Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: 25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:24‑27)). It is, therefore, a New Testament revelation. Joel’s prophecy refers to the last days of God’s dealings with Israel (not the last days of the Church) when a remnant of all 12 tribes will be humbled and restored to the Lord and blessed in His kingdom (the Millennium).
Thus, Scripture indicates that these are two distinct dealings of God among men. One is in connection with Israel and the Gentile nations who will be blessed on earth in Christ’s millennial kingdom. This has been suspended at the present time on account of the Jews’ rejection of Him (Dan. 9:2626And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:26); Micah 5:1-31Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. 2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. (Micah 5:1‑3), Zech. 11:9-149Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another. 10And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. 11And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord. 12And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. 14Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. (Zechariah 11:9‑14), etc.). The other dealing of God is the interposed heavenly calling of the Church—a special company of believers whose destiny is to live and reign with Christ in the heavens in that millennial day. To confuse these two things (as Reformed Theology does) leaves one in a tangle of misunderstandings.
Scripture tells us that God has visited His earthly people Israel in their "last days" in the Person of His Son (Heb. 1:22Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2)), and that He died and was raised from the dead in those "last times" (1 Peter 1:20-2120Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:20‑21)). Scripture also indicates that the land of Israel will be attacked and devastated by the King of the North in those “latter times” (Dan. 8:19, 23; 11:40-4319And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. (Daniel 8:19)
23And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (Daniel 8:23)
40And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. (Daniel 11:40‑43)), after which Israel will be restored in those same "last days" (Hos. 3:55Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. (Hosea 3:5); Dan. 12:1-41And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:1‑4); Isa. 2:2-42And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:2‑4); Micah 4:1-21But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:1‑2)). Moreover, Scripture indicates that when Israel is restored, a Russian confederacy of armies under Gog will attack them; this will also occur in their “latter years” (Ezek. 38:8-138After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. 9Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee. 10Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: 11And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, 12To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. 13Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? (Ezekiel 38:8‑13)). Some of these things happened at the time of Christ, two thousand years ago, and some of them are yet to happen in the future. This presents us with a conundrum; how could these things all be in Israel’s last days? However, when we understand that the calling of the Church is an interposed, parenthetical thing in the ways of God that has nothing to do with Israel, the question is answered. If we take the present calling of the Church out of the equation, Israel’s history as noted in Daniel’s seventy weeks (Dan. 9:24-2724Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:24‑27)) goes straight from the time of the Lord's death at the end of the 69th week into the 70th week—the final seven years of their history before the millennial kingdom of Christ is established. Hence, Christ's first coming and His death, as well as the coming prophetic events regarding the attacks on Israel by their enemies and their restoration, are all in Israel's last days.
In the interim, God has turned His attention to calling the Church by the gospel (Acts 15:1414Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (Acts 15:14)). The Church will remain on earth in a place of testimony until the Lord comes to take it home to heaven at the Rapture. It, too, has its "last days" of testimony on earth, as we have noted. Hence, Scripture indicates that there are two different last days in connection with two entirely different companies of people whom God is calling (and will call) into blessing. These things must not be confused.
The Nation’s Guilt in the Crucifixion of Christ
Vss. 22-28—The purpose of the middle part of Peter’s address was to bring home to the hearts and consciences of the people their guilt in the rejection and crucifixion of Christ. Peter says, “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 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 has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it” (vss. 22-24). Peter does not call the Lord “our Lord Jesus Christ” or “Christ Jesus,” etc., but “Jesus of Nazareth.” This was what the Jews who rejected Him called Him. It is a name of derision and contempt. Nazareth was among the poorest towns in Galilee (the poorest region in the country) and a place that was scorned by the rest of the nation (John 1:46; 7:5246And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (John 1:46)
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. (John 7:52)). The Jews did not see Him as the Lord or as the Christ (the Messiah) and would never use those titles in connection with Him. Why then did Peter use that name of derision here? The Spirit of God led him to do so to emphasize the guilt of the nation, for that is all that they saw Him to be—an impostor from Nazareth (Isa. 53:22For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2)).
Peter speaks of the two sides of Christ’s death on the cross here—God’s side and man’s side. As to God’s side, he says, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (vs. 23a). From past eternity, in the counsel of God, Christ had been appointed to be the great Sin-bearer. Through His death, He would “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)). Thus, God sent His Son into the world to die upon the cross. The Old Testament offerings and sacrifices were a foreshadow of Christ’s great sacrifice. But as to man’s side, Peter says, “Him ... ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (vs 23b). Thus, the Jews were responsible for Christ’s death, for they killed Him using the “wicked hands” of the Romans to do it. How can these two sides both be true? The simple answer is that God knows how to bring good out of evil. He can make the wrath of man to praise Him (Psa. 76:1010Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. (Psalm 76:10)) and accomplish His will. This, however, does not negate man’s responsibility in the matter.
God’s Answer in the Resurrection of Christ
God answered that insult to His grace by raising Christ from the dead and putting His seal of approval on Him (vs. 24). And in doing so, the Lord wrought a great victory over death, loosing its “pangs” (W. Kelly Trans.)—the mental anguish and fear connected with death and the hereafter. Prior to the death and resurrection of Christ, Satan wielded “the power of death” (Heb. 2:1414Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)) over men by making them afraid of what lay beyond death. He used it to his advantage and held men in frightful bondage. The good news is that Christ has not only borne our sins in His own body on the tree, as our Sin-bearer (1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)), but He has also gone into death and conquered it, thus robbing the devil of his power to terrify the child of God with death. The Lord now stands victorious on the other side of death declaring: “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell [hades] and of death” (Rev. 1:1818I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18)). In conquering death, He has loosed its “pangs” (or fear element) for enlightened believers. We may be called to pass through the article of death, but its “sting” has been taken away. Thus, we can face death without fear (1 Cor. 15:5555O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55)).
To support this charge of the nation’s guilt, Peter quotes from Scripture again—this time from Psalm 16. He shows from this Messianic psalm of David that God knew that the nation would kill its Messiah long before it came to pass, and He had David write of it. Peter quotes verses 8-11 in the psalm which foresees the Messiah lying in a state of death, and then being raised. Christ’s soul and spirit would not remain in “Hades” (the world of unseen disembodied spirits), nor would His body “see corruption” by remaining in the grave (vs. 27). God would raise Him from the dead on the third day. Peter’s point here is that the Jews are responsible for Christ’s death.
Where Christ is Now—Ascended on High
Vss. 29-36—Peter then proceeds to remove the mistaken idea that the Jews had concerning Psalm 16. They had thought that David was speaking of himself and looked no further. None of the rabbis ever have applied the psalm to the Messiah. Notwithstanding, Peter shows that David couldn’t have been speaking of himself, pointing to the fact that the Person in the psalm not only died, as David did, but He also was raised from the dead. This is something that is not so with David; his body still lies in a state of death. Peter says, “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” (vs. 29). David “saw corruption” (Acts 13:3636For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: (Acts 13:36)) and is still awaiting resurrection.
Peter goes on to show that David, “being a prophet”—and God having “sworn with an oath to him” that the Messiah would come out of his posterity as David’s greater Son (vs. 30)—he was prophesying of “the resurrection of Christ” (vs. 31). Peter testified to this fact, adding, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (vs. 32). And not only that, he states that Christ is now at “the right hand of God exalted,” and from that place on high He has “shed forth” the Holy Spirit and thus, the evidence of it was what the people were seeing and hearing (vs. 33).
Peter then quotes from Psalm 110—the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament (over a dozen times!)—to confirm Christ’s ascension to God’s right hand, for David prophesied of it long before: “The LORD said unto My Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool” (vss. 34-35). Again, David couldn’t have been speaking of himself, for as Peter says, “David is not ascended into the heavens.” He was evidently speaking of the Messiah, for “the LORD” (Jehovah) and “the Lord” (Adonai) are divine Persons in communication with one another. In the light of the full revelation of Christianity, we know them as the Father and the Son. The passage clearly refers to God’s setting Christ in the highest place in heaven (Phil. 2:9-119Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9‑11); Heb. 10:12-1312But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (Hebrews 10:12‑13)). Peter’s conclusion is: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (vs. 36). From that place on high as Lord and Christ, He stood as the Saviour, ready to forgive the people their great national sin of rejecting and crucifying Him! This was nothing but pure grace!
The Response of the People
Vss. 37-41—The power with which the message came home to the people is a testament to the fact that the Holy Spirit was present indeed. They were “pricked in the heart,” and under the Spirit’s convicting power, responded by asking: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (vs. 37) Peter then takes the keys of the kingdom and opens the door to their blessing (Matt. 16:1919And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19)), stating, “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 [Spirit]” (vs. 38). Peter states two conditions to receiving the remission (forgiveness) of sins here—repentance and baptism. He adds a third condition in verse 21—faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He says: “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” To “call” on the Lord implies having personal faith in Him. This is one place in Scripture where eternal forgiveness and governmental forgiveness coalesce. These are two different aspects of forgiveness. Eternal forgiveness delivers a person from the eternal consequences of his sins. Governmental forgiveness delivers a person from the present consequences of his sins felt in this life. The conditions of repentance and faith apply to eternal forgiveness, which secures the believer’s eternal destiny with Christ. The condition of baptism applies to governmental forgiveness, which these Jews needed, for they were part of the guilty nation that had crucified Christ.
Repentance is to have a changed mind concerning the course of sin which we have pursued and the passing of judgment on it. Being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ disassociates one outwardly from the guilty ground on which he has been identified and associates him with Christ on the ground of Christian blessing and privilege. These things were essential for the Jews of that generation because they were part of the nation that was blood-guilty in the death of the Messiah (Matt. 27:2525Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matthew 27:25)). They needed to judge that wicked act for what it was and dissociate themselves from it. It was their national sin, but the blessing of forgiveness that was being offered could only be received on an individual basis by calling on Christ in faith. Hence, Peter says, “Every one of you.” The result of being divinely forgiven is the reception of “the gift of the Holy Spirit” by which they would be made part of the Church—though neither Peter, nor they, would have known it at that time.
Peter adds, “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” (vs. 39). Thus, the very first Christian gospel message contemplated the blessing of God going out to Israel as well as to the distant Gentiles. There were no Gentiles there on this inaugural day (except proselytes – vs. 10), but we can see from the outset that God had blessing in mind for them in the Church. This outreach to the Gentiles is documented in the latter part of the book.
Luke tells us that these were not the only things that Peter said on that day. There were “many other words” with which he testified to the end that they should “save” themselves from that “untoward [perverse] generation” by cutting their links with the guilty nation through repentance and baptism, and calling on the name of the Lord (vs. 40). In this way, baptism saves believing Jews (1 Peter 3:2121The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21)) from God’s governmental judgment (Psa. 69:22-2522Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. 23Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. 24Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. 25Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents. (Psalm 69:22‑25)). It does not save a person from the eternal judgment of his sins—that is only had through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; 13:38-39; 16:3112Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)
31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
Thus, the door of mercy was opened to the nation, and “about three thousand” believed and were baptized and entered into the blessing of salvation (vs. 41). Note: these were not baptized by the Holy Spirit as were the original company of 120 believers; they were “added” to the original company by individually receiving the gift of the indwelling Spirit (vs. 38). This made them part of the one body, though they were not cognizant of it at the time.
They proved their reality, not by being baptized, but by continuing in the path of Christian faith. Luke says, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking bread, and in prayers” (vs. 42). These four things have been called “the four anchors of Christian life.” They should be an integral part of every Christian’s life—without which we are sure to make shipwreck. This is illustrated figuratively in the voyage of Paul in chapter 27. When the sailors realized that they were drifting toward the rocks and were headed for disaster, “they cast four anchors out of the stern,” and this preserved them from the danger (vs. 29). But later, when they “cut the anchors” off, the ship soon ran aground, and they were shipwrecked (vss. 40-44). The incident has an obvious lesson in it: if we have these four things in our lives, we will be preserved, and if we cut them out of our lives, we are sure to make spiritual shipwreck. Compare 1 Timothy 1:1919Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1 Timothy 1:19).
The “apostles’ doctrine” here in verse 42 is not Paul’s doctrine (2 Tim. 3:1010But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (2 Timothy 3:10)); Paul had not been saved yet. It is what the apostles had learned from the Lord in His ministry, called: “the Word of the beginning of the Christ” (Heb. 6:11Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (Hebrews 6:1)). It was teaching that pertained to life in the kingdom (Luke 4:43; 8:143And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. (Luke 4:43)
1And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, (Luke 8:1), etc.). The full revelation of Christian truth regarding the Church would come out later through the revelations given to Paul. For the time being, in those early days, the saints were taught truth concerning the kingdom of God. This pertains to a moral order of things being established in a person’s life by which he is able to walk with God (Rom. 14:1717For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)).
The fact that doctrine is mentioned first here shows its importance; everything in our Christian lives will take its character from it. Some may take a simplistic approach to the truth and say, “It doesn’t really matter what we hold doctrinally as long as we all love each other and get along together.” But the reason why Christians walk in so many different paths is because of what they believe doctrinally. They believe different things, and this has led them to walk in different paths. The divided state of the Church today is the result of Christians believing differently in matters of doctrine. Let us, therefore, pay attention to doctrine; it can save us from spiritual evils (1 Tim. 4:1616Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Timothy 4:16)) and unify us (Eph. 4:1313Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13)).
Their “fellowship” was based on the apostles’ doctrine. They sought no fellowship outside of it (chap. 4:23). Their mutual interests were that of spiritual things which they had in common in Christ. Their fellowship did not center on natural things or worldly advantages. It is wonderful to see that right from the very beginning God provided a fellowship in which these new converts could walk together.
The “breaking of bread” is the Lord’s Supper. It is when the saints meet together to answer to His request, “This do in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:23-2623For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:23‑26)). It appears from verse 46 that they may have done this daily. Acts 20:77And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7) indicates that it became the universal custom of the disciples to break bread each Lord’s Day—the first day of the week.
The “prayers” here are not private prayers, but collective prayers—prayer meetings. Some translations render this verse as “the prayers,” indicating that these were stated times when they would meet together to pray.
The First Assembly
This first Christian assembly is in many ways a model assembly. They were marked by devotion of heart to Christ and “persevered” in meetings for the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (vs. 42).
They were also marked by power in testimony. Those in the community knew that this newly formed assembly was of God, for He fully identified with it with “wonders and signs.” As a result, “fear came upon every soul” (vs. 43).
They were also marked by unity. Luke says, “And all that believed were together” (vs. 44a). Since three thousand people couldn’t fit into one home, there is no doubt that they had many gatherings in the city of Jerusalem, but a common unity pervaded each and all. This is what the Lord prayed for on the night before He went to the cross—that they would be “one” in fellowship and “one” in testimony (John 17:11, 2111And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)
21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21)).
They were also marked by love, and this led to selfless sacrifice for one another. They had “all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (vss. 44b-45). (See also chapter 4:32-37.) This worked marvellously well as long as they were all filled with the Spirit. We will see from chapter 5 that it didn’t continue long; the selfishness of the flesh intruded upon the happy scene and spoiled it. Notwithstanding, it is evident from these things that they had genuine “love for one another” (John 13:34-3534A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34‑35)). On a daily basis, they went to “the temple” to witness for Christ but had “the breaking of bread” in their homes. We see from this that the line of demarcation between Judaism and Christianity was not known by the saints at this point, and thus, they carried on with Jewish practises as well as their new Christian privileges. Under the teaching of the Apostle Paul, the graveclothes of Judaism were slowly taken off the saints who had been saved out of that religion (Heb. 13:10-1310We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:10‑13)).
They were a happy company of believers, even though they knew very little Christian truth. Their joy overflowed into every aspect of their lives. Luke says that they ate “their meat [food] with gladness and singleness [simplicity] of heart” (vs. 46). Their common meals were times of joy and mutual comfort. Their joy didn’t come from having a knowledge of their Christian blessings in Christ; the Christian revelation of truth wherein such things are disclosed had not been delivered to them yet. Nevertheless, the Church was the happiest when it knew the least! This fact, however, should not be used as an excuse to remain babes in the truth; such is decried in Scripture (1 Cor. 3:1-21And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (1 Corinthians 3:1‑2); Eph. 4:1414That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14); Heb. 5:11-1411Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11‑14)). Their joy was the result of them all being filled with the Spirit. It is no wonder that they were constantly “praising God” in the temple and at home (vs. 47a).
In those early days, this new company of believers had “favour with all the people” in Jerusalem—except, of course, with the chief priests and elders. But this was not to last. The nature of the gospel that we preach addresses the heart and conscience of man; when its message is met with an opposing will, there is resistance, anger, and hatred—and persecution results. As the following chapters show, this favour was a temporary thing—perhaps born of the people thinking that they might receive some miraculous blessing from the disciples.
Nevertheless, their testimony was such that people were getting saved on a “daily” basis (vs. 47b). It was a wonderful time. Those whom God had foreordained through divine election were being called by the gospel and “saved” by His grace (compare Acts 13:4848And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48)). The Lord “added” such “to the Church [assembly]” by “the gift of the Holy Spirit” being received upon their believing (Eph. 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)). The indwelling presence of the Spirit linked them to the Lord and to every member of the body of Christ—though at that time they didn’t know it.
A Summary of What Characterized This New Company of Believers
They received the Word by faith and were saved (vs. 41a).
They were baptized (vs. 41b).
They continued in the apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (vs. 42).
They had an effective testimony in the community whereby fear fell on all (vs. 43a).
There were manifestations of the power of the Spirit among them in wonders and signs (vs. 43b).
There was self-sacrificing love and care for one another (vss. 44-45).
There was unity among them, being all of one accord (vs. 46a).
There was joy and gladness (vs. 46b).
There was simplicity of heart (vs. 46c).
There was spontaneous praise to God (vs. 47).