Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Acts » Chapter 2 » Verse 1-47

Acts 2:1-47 King James Version (KJV)

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

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.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

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.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

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:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

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:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

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:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

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.

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;

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.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

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.

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,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

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.

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?

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.

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.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

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,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.


Acts 2:1-47 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And G2532 when G1722 the day G2250 of Pentecost G4005 was fully come, G4845 they were G2258 all G537 with one accord G3661 in G1909 one place. G846

2 And G2532 suddenly G869 there came G1096 a sound G2279 from G1537 heaven G3772 as G5618 of a rushing G5342 mighty G972 wind, G4157 and G2532 it filled G4137 all G3650 the house G3624 where G3757 they were G2258 sitting. G2521

3 And G2532 there appeared G3700 unto them G846 cloven G1266 tongues G1100 like as G5616 of fire, G4442 and G5037 it sat G2523 upon G1909 each G1538 G1520 of them. G846

4 And G2532 they were G4130 all G537 filled G4130 with the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 and G2532 began G756 to speak with G2980 other G2087 tongues, G1100 as G2531 the Spirit G4151 gave G1325 them G846 utterance. G669

5 And G1161 there were G2258 dwelling G2730 at G1722 Jerusalem G2419 Jews, G2453 devout G2126 men, G435 out of G575 every G3956 nation G1484 under G5259 heaven. G3772

6 Now G1161 when this G5026 was G1096 noised abroad, G5456 the multitude G4128 came together, G4905 and G2532 were confounded, G4797 because G3754 that every G1538 man G1520 heard G191 them G846 speak G2980 in his own G2398 language. G1258

7 And G1161 they were G1839 all G3956 amazed G1839 and G2532 marvelled, G2296 saying G3004 one to another, G4314 G240 Behold, G2400 are G1526 not G3756 all G3956 these G3778 which G3588 speak G2980 Galilaeans? G1057

8 And G2532 how G4459 hear G191 we G2249 every G1538 man in our G2257 own G2398 tongue, G1258 wherein G1722 G3739 we were born? G1080

9 Parthians, G3934 and G2532 Medes, G3370 and G2532 Elamites, G1639 and G2532 the dwellers G2730 in Mesopotamia, G3318 and G5037 in Judaea, G2449 and G2532 Cappadocia, G2587 in Pontus, G4195 and G2532 Asia, G773

10 G5037 Phrygia, G5435 and G5037 G2532 Pamphylia, G3828 in Egypt, G125 and G2532 in the parts G3313 of Libya G3033 about G2596 Cyrene, G2957 and G2532 strangers G1927 of Rome, G4514 G5037 Jews G2453 and G5037 G2532 proselytes, G4339

11 Cretes G2912 and G2532 Arabians, G690 we do hear G191 them G846 speak G2980 in our G2251 tongues G1100 the wonderful works G3167 of God. G2316

12 And G1161 they were G1839 all G3956 amazed, G1839 and G2532 were in doubt, G1280 saying G3004 one G243 to G4314 another, G243 What G5101 meaneth G2309 G302 G1511 this? G5124

13 G1161 Others G2087 mocking G5512 said, G3004 G3754 These men are G1526 full G3325 of new wine. G1098

14 But G1161 Peter, G4074 standing up G2476 with G4862 the eleven, G1733 lifted up G1869 his G846 voice, G5456 and G2532 said G669 unto them, G846 Ye men G435 of Judaea, G2453 and G2532 all G537 ye that dwell G2730 at Jerusalem, G2419 be G2077 this G5124 known G1110 unto you, G5213 and G2532 hearken G1801 to my G3450 words: G4487

15 For G1063 these G3778 are G3184 not G3756 drunken, G3184 as G5613 ye G5210 suppose, G5274 seeing G1063 it is G2076 but the third G5154 hour G5610 of the day. G2250

16 But G235 this G5124 is G2076 that which was spoken G2046 by G1223 the prophet G4396 Joel; G2493

17 And G2532 it shall come to pass G2071 in G1722 the last G2078 days, G2250 saith G3004 God, G2316 I will pour out G1632 of G575 my G3450 Spirit G4151 upon G1909 all G3956 flesh: G4561 and G2532 your G5216 sons G5207 and G2532 your G5216 daughters G2364 shall prophesy, G4395 and G2532 your G5216 young men G3495 shall see G3700 visions, G3706 and G2532 your G5216 old men G4245 shall dream G1798 dreams: G1797

18 And G2532 G1065 on G1909 my G3450 servants G1401 and G2532 on G1909 my G3450 handmaidens G1399 I will pour out G1632 in G1722 those G1565 days G2250 of G575 my G3450 Spirit; G4151 and G2532 they shall prophesy: G4395

19 And G2532 I will shew G1325 wonders G5059 in G1722 heaven G3772 above, G507 and G2532 signs G4592 in G1909 the earth G1093 beneath; G2736 blood, G129 and G2532 fire, G4442 and G2532 vapour G822 of smoke: G2586

20 The sun G2246 shall be turned G3344 into G1519 darkness, G4655 and G2532 the moon G4582 into G1519 blood, G129 before G2228 G4250 that great G3173 and G2532 notable G2016 day G2250 of the Lord G2962 come: G2064

21 And G2532 it shall come to pass, G2071 that whosoever G3739 G3956 G302 shall call on G1941 the name G3686 of the Lord G2962 shall be saved. G4982

22 Ye men G435 of Israel, G2475 hear G191 these G5128 words; G3056 Jesus G2424 of Nazareth, G3480 a man G435 approved G584 of G575 God G2316 among G1519 you G5209 by miracles G1411 and G2532 wonders G5059 and G2532 signs, G4592 which G3739 God G2316 did G4160 by G1223 him G846 in G1722 the midst G3319 of you, G5216 as G2531 ye yourselves G846 also G2532 know: G1492

23 Him, G5126 being delivered G1560 by the determinate G3724 counsel G1012 and G2532 foreknowledge G4268 of God, G2316 ye have taken, G2983 and by G1223 wicked G459 hands G5495 have crucified G4362 and slain: G337

24 Whom G3739 God G2316 hath raised up, G450 having loosed G3089 the pains G5604 of death: G2288 because G2530 it was G2258 not G3756 possible G1415 that he G846 should be holden G2902 of G5259 it. G846

25 For G1063 David G1138 speaketh G3004 concerning G1519 him, G846 I foresaw G4308 the Lord G2962 always G1223 G3956 before G1799 my G3450 face, for G3754 he is G2076 on G1537 my G3450 right hand, G1188 that G3363 I should G4531 not G3363 be moved: G4531

26 Therefore G1223 G5124 did G2165 my G3450 heart G2588 rejoice, G2165 and G2532 my G3450 tongue G1100 was glad; G21 moreover G1161 G2089 also G2532 my G3450 flesh G4561 shall rest G2681 in G1909 hope: G1680

27 Because G3754 thou wilt G1459 not G3756 leave G1459 my G3450 soul G5590 in G1519 hell, G86 neither G3761 wilt thou suffer G1325 thine G4675 Holy One G3741 to see G1492 corruption. G1312

28 Thou hast made known G1107 to me G3427 the ways G3598 of life; G2222 thou shalt make G4137 me G3165 full G4137 of joy G2167 with G3326 thy G4675 countenance. G4383

29 Men G435 and brethren, G80 let G2036 me G1832 freely G3326 G3954 speak G2036 unto G4314 you G5209 of G4012 the patriarch G3966 David, G1138 that G3754 he is G5053 both G2532 dead G5053 and G2532 buried, G2290 and G2532 his G846 sepulchre G3418 is G2076 with G1722 us G2254 unto G891 this G5026 day. G2250

30 Therefore G3767 being G5225 a prophet, G4396 and G2532 knowing G1492 that G3754 God G2316 had sworn G3660 with an oath G3727 to him, G846 that of G1537 the fruit G2590 of his G846 loins, G3751 according to G2596 the flesh, G4561 he would raise up G450 Christ G5547 to sit G2523 on G1909 his G846 throne; G2362

31 He seeing this before G4275 spake G2980 of G4012 the resurrection G386 of Christ, G5547 that G3754 his G846 soul G5590 was G2641 not G3756 left G2641 in G1519 hell, G86 neither G3761 his G846 flesh G4561 did see G1492 corruption. G1312

32 This G5126 Jesus G2424 hath G450 God G2316 raised up, G450 whereof G3739 we G2249 all G3956 are G2070 witnesses. G3144

33 Therefore G3767 being G5312 by the right hand G1188 of God G2316 exalted, G5312 and G5037 having received G2983 of G3844 the Father G3962 the promise G1860 of the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 he hath shed forth G1632 this, G5124 which G3739 ye G5210 now G3568 see G991 and G2532 hear. G191

34 For G1063 David G1138 is not G3756 ascended G305 into G1519 the heavens: G3772 but G1161 he saith G3004 himself, G846 The LORD G2962 said G2036 unto my G3450 Lord, G2962 Sit thou G2521 on G1537 my G3450 right hand, G1188

35 Until G2193 I make G302 G5087 thy G4675 foes G2190 thy G4675 footstool. G4228 G5286

36 Therefore G3767 let G1097 all G3956 the house G3624 of Israel G2474 know G1097 assuredly, G806 that G3754 God G2316 hath made G4160 that same G5126 Jesus, G2424 whom G3739 ye G5210 have crucified, G4717 both G2532 Lord G2962 and G2532 Christ. G5547

37 Now G1161 when they heard G191 this, they were pricked G2660 in their heart, G2588 and G5037 said G2036 unto G4314 Peter G4074 and G2532 to the rest G3062 of the apostles, G652 Men G435 and brethren, G80 what G5101 shall we do? G4160

38 Then G1161 Peter G4074 said G5346 unto G4314 them, G846 Repent, G3340 and G2532 be baptized G907 every one G1538 of you G5216 in G1909 the name G3686 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 for G1519 the remission G859 of sins, G266 and G2532 ye shall receive G2983 the gift G1431 of the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151

39 For G1063 the promise G1860 is G2076 unto you, G5213 and G2532 to your G5216 children, G5043 and G2532 to all G3956 that are afar off, G1519 G3112 even as many as G3745 the Lord G2962 our G2257 God G2316 shall call. G302 G4341

40 And G5037 with many G4119 other G2087 words G3056 did he testify G1263 and G2532 exhort, G3870 saying, G3004 Save yourselves G4982 from G575 this G5026 untoward G4646 generation. G1074

41 Then G3303 G3767 they that gladly G780 received G588 his G846 word G3056 were baptized: G907 and G2532 the same G1565 day G2250 there were added G4369 unto them about G5616 three thousand G5153 souls. G5590

42 And G1161 they continued G2258 stedfastly G4342 in the apostles' G652 doctrine G1322 and G2532 fellowship, G2842 and G2532 in breaking G2800 of bread, G740 and G2532 in prayers. G4335

43 And G1161 fear G5401 came upon G1096 every G3956 soul: G5590 and G5037 many G4183 wonders G5059 and G2532 signs G4592 were done G1096 by G1223 the apostles. G652

44 And G1161 all G3956 that believed G4100 were G2258 together, G1909 G846 and G2532 had G2192 all things G537 common; G2839

45 And G2532 sold G4097 their possessions G2933 and G2532 goods, G5223 and G2532 parted G1266 them G846 to all G3956 men, as G2530 every man G5100 had G302 G2192 need. G5532

46 And G5037 they, continuing G4342 daily G2596 G2250 with one accord G3661 in G1722 the temple, G2411 and G5037 breaking G2806 bread G740 from G2596 house to house, G3624 did eat G3335 their meat G5160 with G1722 gladness G20 and G2532 singleness G858 of heart, G2588

47 Praising G134 God, G2316 and G2532 having G2192 favour G5485 with G4314 all G3650 the people. G2992 And G1161 the Lord G2962 added G4369 to the church G1577 daily G2596 G2250 such as should be saved. G4982


Acts 2:1-47 American Standard (ASV)

1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

6 And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans?

8 And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born?

9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,

10 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.

12 And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, `saying', Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is `but' the third hour of the day.

16 but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth 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:

18 Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable `day'.

21 And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know;

23 him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:

24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25 For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.

29 Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.

30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set `one' upon his throne;

31 he foreseeing `this' spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

32 This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.

34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

37 Now when they heard `this,' they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

38 And Peter `said' unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, `even' as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.

40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.

41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added `unto them' in that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need.

46 And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.


Acts 2:1-47 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And in the day of the Pentecost being fulfilled, they were all with one accord at the same place,

2 and there came suddenly out of the heaven a sound as of a bearing violent breath, and it filled all the house where they were sitting,

3 and there appeared to them divided tongues, as it were of fire; it sat also upon each one of them,

4 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, according as the Spirit was giving them to declare.

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation of those under the heaven,

6 and the rumour of this having come, the multitude came together, and was confounded, because they were each one hearing them speaking in his proper dialect,

7 and they were all amazed, and did wonder, saying one unto another, `Lo, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

8 and how do we hear, each in our proper dialect, in which we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those dwelling in Mesopotamia, in Judea also, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia also, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya, that `are' along Cyrene, and the strangers of Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we did hear them speaking in our tongues the great things of God.'

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one unto another, `What would this wish to be?'

13 and others mocking said, -- `They are full of sweet wine;'

14 and Peter having stood up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and declared to them, `Men, Jews! and all those dwelling in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and harken to my sayings,

15 for these are not drunken, as ye take it up, for it is the third hour of the day.

16 `But this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 And it shall be 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;

18 and also upon My men-servants, and upon My maid-servants, in those days, I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy;

19 and I will give wonders in the heaven above, and signs upon the earth beneath -- blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke,

20 the sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the day of the Lord -- the great and illustrious;

21 and it shall be, every one -- whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, he shall be saved.

22 `Men, Israelites! hear these words, Jesus the Nazarene, a man approved of God among you by mighty works, and wonders, and signs, that God did through him in the midst of you, according as also ye yourselves have known;

23 this one, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, being given out, having taken by lawless hands, having crucified -- ye did slay;

24 whom God did raise up, having loosed the pains of the death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it,

25 for David saith in regard to him: I foresaw the Lord always before me -- because He is on my right hand -- that I may not be moved;

26 because of this was my heart cheered, and my tongue was glad, and yet -- my flesh also shall rest on hope,

27 because Thou wilt not leave my soul to hades, nor wilt Thou give Thy Kind One to see corruption;

28 Thou didst make known to me ways of life, Thou shalt fill me with joy with Thy countenance.

29 `Men, brethren! it is permitted to speak with freedom unto you concerning the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is among us unto this day;

30 a prophet, therefore, being, and knowing that with an oath God did swear to him, out of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, to raise up the Christ, to sit upon his throne,

31 having foreseen, he did speak concerning the rising again of the Christ, that his soul was not left to hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

32 `This Jesus did God raise up, of which we are all witnesses;

33 at the right hand then of God having been exalted -- also the promise of the Holy Spirit having received from the Father -- he was shedding forth this, which now ye see and hear;

34 for David did not go up to the heavens, and he saith himself: The Lord saith to my lord, Sit thou at my right hand,

35 till I make thy foes thy footstool;

36 assuredly, therefore, let all the house of Israel know, that both Lord and Christ did God make him -- this Jesus whom ye did crucify.'

37 And having heard, they were pricked to the heart; they say also to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, `What shall we do, men, brethren?'

38 and Peter said unto them, `Reform, and be baptized each of you on the name of Jesus Christ, to remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,

39 for to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.'

40 Also with many more other words he was testifying and exhorting, saying, `Be saved from this perverse generation;'

41 then those, indeed, who did gladly receive his word were baptized, and there were added on that day, as it were, three thousand souls,

42 and they were continuing stedfastly in the teaching of the apostles, and the fellowship, and the breaking of the bread, and the prayers.

43 And fear came on every soul, many wonders also and signs were being done through the apostles,

44 and all those believing were at the same place, and had all things common,

45 and the possessions and the goods they were selling, and were parting them to all, according as any one had need.

46 Daily also continuing with one accord in the temple, breaking also at every house bread, they were partaking of food in gladness and simplicity of heart,

47 praising God, and having favour with all the people, and the Lord was adding those being saved every day to the assembly.


Acts 2:1-47 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And when the day of Pentecost was now accomplishing, they were all together in one place.

2 And there came suddenly a sound out of heaven as of a violent impetuous blowing, and filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared to them parted tongues, as of fire, and it sat upon each one of them.

4 And they were all filled with [the] Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave to them to speak forth.

5 Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, pious men, from every nation of those under heaven.

6 But the rumour of this having spread, the multitude came together and were confounded, because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect.

7 And all were amazed and wondered, saying, Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans?

8 and how do *we* hear [them] each in our own dialect in which we have been born,

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judaea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10 both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya which adjoin Cyrene, and the Romans sojourning [here], both Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our own tongues the great things of God?

12 And they were all amazed and in perplexity, saying one to another, What would this mean?

13 But others mocking said, They are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke forth to them, Men of Judaea, and all ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words:

15 for these are not full of wine, as *ye* suppose, for it is the third hour of the day;

16 but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel,

17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, [that] 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 elders shall dream with dreams;

18 yea, even upon my bondmen and upon my bondwomen in those days will I pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will give wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 the sun shall be changed to darkness and the moon to blood, before the great and gloriously appearing day of [the] Lord come.

21 And it shall be that whosoever shall call upon the name of [the] Lord shall be saved.

22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazaraean, a man borne witness to by God to you by works of power and wonders and signs, which God wrought by him in your midst, as yourselves know

23 -- him, given up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye, by [the] hand of lawless [men], have crucified and slain.

24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death, inasmuch as it was not possible that he should be held by its power;

25 for David says as to him, I foresaw the Lord continually before me, because he is at my right hand that I may not be moved.

26 Therefore has my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted; yea more, my flesh also shall dwell in hope,

27 for thou wilt not leave my soul in hades, nor wilt thou give thy gracious one to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me [the] paths of life, thou wilt fill me with joy with thy countenance.

29 Brethren, let it be allowed to speak with freedom to you concerning the patriarch David, that he has both died and been buried, and his monument is amongst us unto this day.

30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, of the fruit of his loins to set upon his throne;

31 he, seeing [it] before, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that neither has he been left in hades nor his flesh seen corruption.

32 This Jesus has God raised up, whereof all *we* are witnesses.

33 Having therefore been exalted by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which *ye* behold and hear.

34 For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he says himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand

35 until I have put thine enemies [to be] the footstool of thy feet.

36 Let the whole house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him, this Jesus whom *ye* have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 And having heard [it] they were pricked in heart, and said to Peter and the other apostles, What shall we do, brethren?

38 And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptised, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of sins, and ye will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For to you is the promise and to your children, and to all who [are] afar off, as many as [the] Lord our God may call.

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.

41 Those then who had accepted his word were baptised; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

42 And they persevered in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles, in breaking of bread and prayers.

43 And fear was upon every soul, and many wonders and signs took place through the apostles' means.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common,

45 and sold their possessions and substance, and distributed them to all, according as any one might have need.

46 And every day, being constantly in the temple with one accord, and breaking bread in [the] house, they received their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

47 praising God, and having favour with all the people; and the Lord added [to the assembly] daily those that were to be saved.


Acts 2:1-47 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them.

4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.

6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language.

7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Behold, aren't all these who speak Galileans?

8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language?

9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,

10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!"

12 They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, "What does this mean?"

13 Others, mocking, said, "They are filled with new wine."

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, "You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words.

15 For these aren't drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day{about 9:00 AM}.

16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 'It will be in the last days, says God, That I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams.

18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in the sky above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

21 It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

22 "Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know,

23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;

24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.

25 For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.

26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;

27 Because you will not leave my soul in Hades, Neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.

28 You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

29 "Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,

31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.

32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses.

33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.

34 For David didn't ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit by my right hand,

35 Until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."'

36 "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself."

40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!"

41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer.

43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common.

45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.

46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.


Acts 2:1-47 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And when the day of Pentecost was come, they were all together in one place.

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rushing of a violent wind, and all the house where they were was full of it.

3 And they saw tongues, like flames of fire, coming to rest on every one of them.

4 And they were all full of the Holy Spirit, and were talking in different languages, as the Spirit gave them power.

5 Now there were living at Jerusalem, Jews, God-fearing men, from every nation under heaven.

6 And when this sound came to their ears, they all came together, and were greatly surprised because every man was hearing the words of the disciples in his special language.

7 And they were full of wonder and said, Are not all these men Galilaeans?

8 And how is it that every one of us is hearing their words in the language which was ours from our birth?

9 Men of Parthia, Media, and Elam, and those living in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,

10 In Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and those who have come from Rome, Jews by birth and others who have become Jews,

11 Men of Crete and Arabia, to all of us they are talking in our different languages, of the great works of God.

12 And they were all surprised and in doubt saying to one another, What is the reason of this?

13 But others, making sport of them, said, They are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, getting up, with the eleven, said in a loud voice, O men of Judaea, and all you who are living in Jerusalem, take note of this and give ear to my words.

15 For these men are not overcome with wine, as it seems to you, for it is only the third hour of the day;

16 But this is the thing which was said by the prophet Joel;

17 And it will come about, in the last days, says God, that I will send out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will be prophets, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams:

18 And on my men-servants and my women-servants I will send my Spirit, and they will be prophets.

19 And wonders will be seen in heaven, and signs on the earth, blood and fire and smoke:

20 The sun will become dark and the moon will be turned to blood, before that great day of the Lord comes in glory:

21 And whoever makes his prayer to the Lord will have salvation.

22 Men of Israel, give ear to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man who had the approval of God, as was made clear to you by the great works and signs and wonders which God did by him among you, as you yourselves have knowledge,

23 Him, when he was given up, by the decision and knowledge of God, you put to death on the cross, by the hands of evil men:

24 But God gave him back to life, having made him free from the pains of death because it was not possible for him to be overcome by it.

25 For David said of him, I saw the Lord before my face at all times, for he is at my right hand, so that I may not be moved:

26 And for this cause my heart was glad and my tongue full of joy, and my flesh will be resting in hope:

27 For you will not let my soul be in hell and you will not give up your Holy One to destruction.

28 You have made me see the ways of life; I will be full of joy when I see your face.

29 My brothers, I may say to you openly that David came to his death, and was put in the earth, and his resting-place is with us today.

30 But being a prophet, and having in mind the oath which God had given to him, that of the fruit of his body one would take his place as a king,

31 He, having knowledge of the future, was talking of the coming again of Christ from the dead, that he was not kept in hell and his body did not see destruction.

32 This Jesus God has given back to life, of which we all are witnesses.

33 And so, being lifted up to the right hand of God, and having the Father's word that the Holy Spirit would come, he has sent this thing, which now you see and have knowledge of.

34 For David has not gone up into heaven, but says, himself, The Lord said to my Lord, Be seated at my right hand,

35 Till I put all those who are against you under your feet.

36 For this reason, let all Israel be certain that this Jesus, whom you put to death on the cross, God has made Lord and Christ.

37 Now when these words came to their ears their hearts were troubled, and they said to Peter and the other Apostles, Brothers, what are we to do?

38 And Peter said, Let your hearts be changed, every one of you, and have baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will have the Holy Spirit given to you.

39 For the word of God is for you and for your children and for all those who are far off, even all those who may be marked out by the Lord our God.

40 And with more such words he gave his witness, offering them salvation and saying, Come out from this evil generation.

41 Then those who gave hearing to his words had baptism: and about three thousand souls were joined to them that day.

42 And they kept their attention fixed on the Apostles' teaching and were united together in the taking of broken bread and in prayer.

43 But fear came on every soul: and all sorts of wonders and signs were done by the Apostles.

44 And all those who were of the faith kept together, and had all things in common;

45 And exchanging their goods and property for money, they made division of it among them all, as they had need.

46 And day by day, going in agreement together regularly to the Temple and, taking broken bread together in their houses, they took their food with joy and with true hearts,

47 Giving praise to God, and having the approval of all the people; and every day the number of those who had salvation was increased by the Lord.

Commentary on Acts 2 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 2

Ac 2:1-13. Descent of the SpiritThe Disciples Speak with TonguesAmazement of the Multitude.

1-4. when the day of Pentecost was fully come—The fiftieth from the morrow after the first Passover sabbath (Le 23:15, 16).

with one accord—the solemnity of the day, perhaps, unconsciously raising their expectations.

2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, &c.—"The whole description is so picturesque and striking that it could only come from an eye-witness" [Olshausen]. The suddenness, strength, and diffusiveness of the sound strike with deepest awe the whole company, and thus complete their preparation for the heavenly gift. Wind was a familiar emblem of the Spirit (Eze 37:9; Joh 3:8; 20:22). But this was not a rush of actual wind. It was only a sound "as of" it.

3. cloven tongues, like as of fire, &c.—"disparted tongues," that is, tongue-shaped, flame-like appearances, rising from a common center or root, and resting upon each of that large company:—beautiful visible symbol of the burning energy of the Spirit now descending in all His plenitude upon the Church, and about to pour itself through every tongue, and over every tribe of men under heaven!

4. they … began to speak with … tongues, &c.—real, living languages, as is plain from what follows. The thing uttered, probably the same by all, was "the wonderful works of God," perhaps in the inspired words of the Old Testament evangelical hymns; though it is next to certain that the speakers themselves understood nothing of what they uttered (see on 1Co 14:1-25).

5-11. there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation—not, it would seem, permanently settled there (see Ac 2:9), though the language seems to imply more than a temporary visit to keep this one feast.

9-11. Parthians, &c.—Beginning with the farthest east, the Parthians, the enumeration proceeds farther and farther westward till it comes to Judea; next come the western countries, from Cappadocia to Pamphylia; then the southern, from Egypt to Cyrene; finally, apart from all geographical consideration, Cretes and Arabians are placed together. This enumeration is evidently designed to convey an impression of universality [Baumgarten].

Ac 2:14-36. Peter for the First Time, Publicly Preaches Christ.

14-21. Peter, standing up with the eleven—in advance, perhaps, of the rest.

15. these are not drunken—meaning, not the Eleven, but the body of the disciples.

but the third hour—nine A.M. (see Ec 10:16; Isa 5:11; 1Th 5:17).

17. in the last days—meaning, the days of the Messiah (Isa 2:2); as closing all preparatory arrangements, and constituting the final dispensation of God's kingdom on earth.

pour out of my Spirit—in contrast with the mere drops of all preceding time.

upon all flesh—hitherto confined to the seed of Abraham.

sons … daughters … young men … old men … servants … handmaidens—without distinction of sex, age, or rank.

see visions … dream dreams—This is a mere accommodation to the ways in which the Spirit operated under the ancient economy, when the prediction was delivered; for in the New Testament, visions and dreams are rather the exception than the rule.

19. I will show wonders, &c.—referring to the signs which were to precede the destruction of Jerusalem (see on Lu 21:25-28).

21. whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved—This points to the permanent establishment of the economy of salvation, which followed on the breaking up of the Jewish state.

22-28. a man approved of God—rather, "authenticated," "proved," or "demonstrated to be from God."

by miracles … which God did by him—This is not a low view of our Lord's miracles, as has been alleged, nor inconsistent with Joh 2:11, but is in strict accordance with His progress from humiliation to glory, and with His own words in Joh 5:19. This view of Christ is here dwelt on to exhibit to the Jews the whole course of Jesus of Nazareth as the ordinance and doing of the God of Israel [Alford].

23. determinate counsel and foreknowledge—God's fixed plan and perfect foresight of all the steps involved in it.

ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain—How strikingly is the criminality of Christ's murderers here presented in harmony with the eternal purpose to surrender Him into their hands!

24. was not possible he should be holden of it—Glorious saying! It was indeed impossible that "the Living One" should remain "among the dead" (Lu 24:5); but here, the impossibility seems to refer to the prophetic assurance that He should not see corruption.

27. wilt not leave my soul in hell—in its disembodied state (see on Lu 16:23).

neither … suffer thine Holy One to see corruption—in the grave.

28. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life—that is, resurrection-life.

thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance—that is, in glory; as is plain from the whole connection and the actual words of the sixteenth Psalm.

29-36. David … is … dead and buried, &c.—Peter, full of the Holy Ghost, sees in this sixteenth Psalm, one Holy Man, whose life of high devotedness and lofty spirituality is crowned with the assurance, that though He taste of death, He shall rise again without seeing corruption, and be admitted to the bliss of God's immediate presence. Now as this was palpably untrue of David, it could be meant only of One other, even of Him whom David was taught to expect as the final Occupant of the throne of Israel. (Those, therefore, and they are many, who take David himself to be the subject of this Psalm, and the words quoted to refer to Christ only in a more eminent sense, nullify the whole argument of the apostle). The Psalm is then affirmed to have had its only proper fulfilment in Jesus, of whose resurrection and ascension they were witnesses, while the glorious effusion of the Spirit by the hand of the ascended One, setting an infallible seal upon all, was even then witnessed by the thousands who stood listening to Him. A further illustration of Messiah's ascension and session at God's right hand is drawn from Ps 110:1, in which David cannot be thought to speak of himself, seeing he is still in his grave.

36. Therefore—that is, to sum up all.

let all the house of Israel—for in this first discourse the appeal is formally made to the whole house of Israel, as the then existing Kingdom of God.

know assuredly—by indisputable facts, fulfilled predictions, and the seal of the Holy Ghost set upon all.

that God hath made—for Peter's object was to show them that, instead of interfering with the arrangements of the God of Israel, these events were His own high movements.

this same Jesus, whom ye have crucified—"The sting is at the close" [Bengel]. To prove to them merely that Jesus was the Messiah might have left them all unchanged in heart. But to convince them that He whom they had crucified had been by the right hand of God exalted, and constituted the "Lord" whom David in spirit adored, to whom every knee shall bow, and the Christ of God, was to bring them to "look on Him whom they had pierced and mourn for Him."

37-40. pricked in their hearts—the begun fulfilment of Zec 12:10, whose full accomplishment is reserved for the day when "all Israel shall be saved" (see on Ro 11:26).

what shall we do?—This is that beautiful spirit of genuine compunction and childlike docility, which, discovering its whole past career to have been one frightful mistake, seeks only to be set right for the future, be the change involved and the sacrifices required what they may. So Saul of Tarsus (Ac 9:6).

38. Repent—The word denotes change of mind, and here includes the reception of the Gospel as the proper issue of that revolution of mind which they were then undergoing.

baptized … for the remission of sins—as the visible seal of that remission.

39. For the promise—of the Holy Ghost, through the risen Saviour, as the grand blessing of the new covenant.

all afar off—the Gentiles, as in Eph 2:17), but "to the Jew first."

40. with many other words did he testify and exhort—Thus we have here but a summary of Peter's discourse; though from the next words it would seem that only the more practical parts, the home appeals, are omitted.

Save yourselves from this untoward generation—as if Peter already foresaw the hopeless impenitence of the nation at large, and would have his hearers hasten in for themselves and secure their own salvation.

Ac 2:41-47. Beautiful Beginnings of the Christian Church.

41-47. they that gladly received his word were baptized—"It is difficult to say how three thousand could be baptized in one day, according to the old practice of a complete submersion; and the more as in Jerusalem there was no water at hand except Kidron and a few pools. The difficulty can only be removed by supposing that they already employed sprinkling, or baptized in houses in large vessels. Formal submersion in rivers, or larger quantities of water, probably took place only where the locality conveniently allowed it" [Olshausen].

the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls—fitting inauguration of the new kingdom, as an economy of the Spirit!

42. continued steadfastly in—"attended constantly upon."

the apostles' doctrine—"teaching"; giving themselves up to the instructions which, in their raw state, would be indispensable to the consolidation of the immense multitude suddenly admitted to visible discipleship.

fellowship—in its largest sense.

breaking of bread—not certainly in the Lord's Supper alone, but rather in frugal repasts taken together, with which the Lord's Supper was probably conjoined until abuses and persecution led to the discontinuance of the common meal.

prayers—probably, stated seasons of it.

43. fear came upon every soul—A deep awe rested upon the whole community.

44. all that believed were together, and had all things common—(See on Ac 4:34-37).

46. daily … in the temple—observing the hours of Jewish worship.

and breaking bread from house to house—rather, "at home" (Margin), that is, in private, as contrasted with their temple-worship, but in some stated place or places of meeting.

eat their meat with gladness—"exultation."

and singleness of heart.

47. Praising God—"Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy works" (Ec 9:7, also see on Ac 8:39).

having favour with all the people—commending themselves by their lovely demeanor to the admiration of all who observed them.

And the Lord—that is, Jesus, as the glorified Head and Ruler of the Church.

added—kept adding; that is, to the visible community of believers, though the words "to the Church" are wanting in the most ancient manuscripts.

such as should be saved—rather, "the saved," or "those who were being saved." "The young Church had but few peculiarities in its outward form, or even in its doctrine: the single discriminating principle of its few members was that they all recognized the crucified Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. This confession would have been a thing of no importance, if it had only presented itself as a naked declaration, and would never in such a case have been able to form a community that would spread itself over the whole Roman empire. It acquired its value only through the power of the Holy Ghost, passing from the apostles as they preached to the hearers; for He brought the confession from the very hearts of men (1Co 12:3), and like a burning flame made their souls glow with love. By the power of this Spirit, therefore, we behold the first Christians not only in a state of active fellowship, but also internally changed: the narrow views of the natural man are broken through; they have their possessions in common, and they regard themselves as one family" [Olshausen].