Act 2 | HCSB | STEP | When the day of Pentecost had arrived , they were all together in one place.

Acts 2

Pentecost

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. ^a 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind ^b came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. ^c 3 And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled ^d with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different ^{▼▼language(s): The Greek word glossa can refer to the tongue as the organ of speech (see Mk 7:33) or to language the tongue produces. In certain NT passages, scholars differ on whether the term refers to human languages or to ecstatic speech capable only of divine interpretation (speaking in tongues).}languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. ^f

5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation ^g under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were astounded and amazed, saying, ^{▼▼Other mss add to one another} “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁱ 8 How is it that each of us can hear in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and ^{▼▼Asia: A Roman province that is now part of modern Turkey; it did not refer to the modern continent of Asia.}Asia, ^k 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and ^{▼▼proselyte: A person from another race or religion who went through a prescribed ritual to become a Jew}proselytes, ^m 11 Cretans and Arabs – we hear them speaking the magnificent acts of God in our own languages.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What could this be?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re full of new wine!” ⁿ

Peter’s Sermon

14 But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Men of Judah and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this ^{▼▼Lit let this be known} to you and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning. ^{▼▼Lit it’s the third hour of the day} 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 And it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams. ^q
18 I will even pour out My Spirit
on My male and female ^{▼▼slave: The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English by "servant" or "bond servant"; the HCSB translates this word as "slave," not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire's inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.}slaves in those days,
and they will prophesy. ^s
19 I will display wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below:
blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood ^t
before the great and remarkable Day of the Lord ^u comes.
21 Then everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved. ^{v
,} ^w

22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the ^{▼▼Nazarene: A person from Nazareth; growing up in Nazareth was an aspect of the Messiah's humble beginnings; Jn 1:46.}Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. ^y 23 Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used ^{▼▼Other mss read you have taken} lawless people ^{▼▼Or used the hand of lawless ones} to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. ^ab 24 God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, ^ac because it was not possible for Him to be held by it. 25 For David says of Him:

I saw the Lord ever before me;
because He is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart was glad,
and my tongue rejoiced.
Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,
27 because You will not leave me in ^{▼▼Hades: The Greek word for the place of the dead; it corresponds to the Hebrew word Sheol.}Hades
or allow Your Holy One to see decay. ^ae
28 You have revealed the paths of life to me;
You will fill me with gladness
in Your presence. ^{af
,} ^ag

29 “ ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ^ai 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants ^{▼▼Other mss add according to the flesh to raise up the Messiah
,} ^{▼▼Lit one from the fruit of his loin} on his throne. ^al 31 Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the ^{▼▼Messiah: Or the Christ; the Greek word Christos means "the anointed one".}Messiah:

He ^{▼▼Other mss read His soul} was not left in Hades,
and His flesh did not experience decay. ^{ao
,} ^ap

32 “God has resurrected ^aq this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. 33 Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God ^ar and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, ^as He has poured out ^at what you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:

The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at My right hand
35 until I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ ^{au
,} ^av

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!” ^aw

Forgiveness through the Messiah

37 When they heard this, they came under deep conviction ^{▼▼Lit they were pierced to the heart} and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” ^ay

38 “Repent,” ^az Peter said to them, “and be baptized, ^ba each of you, in the name ^bb of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, ^{▼▼For distant generations or perhaps Gentiles
,} ^bd as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt ^{▼▼Or crooked, or twisted} generation!” ^bf

A Generous and Growing Church

41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, ^bg to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. ^bh

43 Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. ^bi 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. ^bj 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. ^{▼▼Or to all, according to one’s needs} 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the ^{▼▼temple complex: In the Jerusalem temple, the complex included the sanctuary (the holy place and the holy of holies), at least 4 courtyards (for priests, Jewish men, Jewish women, and Gentiles), numerous gates, and several covered walkways.}temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, ^bm 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them ^{▼▼Other mss read to the church} those who were being saved. ^bo