Disciples Receive Holy Spirit In Jerusalem
The disciples received the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, an event that occurred fifty days after Christ's resurrection [7, 8]. This outpouring of the Spirit fulfilled a promise Christ had made to his disciples [2]. Jerusalem, a city also known as Salem or the "holy city," was the location where this significant event took place [5, 6].
Before the Holy Spirit's descent, the apostles, including the eleven remaining after Judas Iscariot's betrayal, gathered in Jerusalem [9]. They engaged in prayer and appointed Matthias to replace Judas [9]. On Pentecost, a Jewish pilgrimage festival celebrating the harvest, the disciples were united and expectant [8]. The Holy Spirit filled the gathered believers, leading to phenomena such as speaking in various languages, which allowed people from different nations to understand the disciples in their own tongues [2, 8, 11]. This gift of tongues was seen as an outward sign of the Spirit's presence, indicating that salvation was to extend to all nations [2].
The reception of the Holy Spirit is described as filling the disciples with joy [1]. This event is understood as the "baptism with fire" that John the Baptist spoke of [11]. The Holy Spirit's indwelling in believers is a recurring theme, promised to saints and serving as a means of quickening, guiding, and fruit-bearing [3]. It is also considered proof of being in Christ and a sign of adoption [3]. Augustine notes that the Holy Spirit was sent to shed love abroad in the disciples' hearts, enabling them to fulfill the law without it feeling burdensome [7].
The reception of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem marked a significant moment in the early church, demonstrating the spread of God's power from Judea to Samaria and beyond [10]. The apostles, chosen by Christ and called by God and the Holy Spirit, were then sent to preach the gospel to all nations [4].
Sources
- Acts “The disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit. -- Acts 13:52”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tongues, Gift of — Granted on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), in fulfilment of a promise Christ had made to his disciples (Mark 16:17). What this gift actually was has been a subject of much discussion. Some have argued that it was merely an outward sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit among the disciples, typifying his manifold gifts, and showing that salvation was to be extended to all nations. But the words of Luke (Acts 2:9) clearly show that the various peoples in Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost did really hear themselves addressed in their own special la”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, The — In his Church, as his temple -- 1Co 3:16. In the body of saints, as his temple -- 1Co 6:19; 2Co 6:16. Promised to saints -- Eze 36:27. Saints enjoy -- Isa 63:11; 2Ti 1:14. Saints full of -- Ac 6:5; Eph 5:18. Is the means of Quickening. -- Ro 8:11. Guiding. -- Joh 16:13; Ga 5:18. Fruit bearing. -- Ga 5:22. A proof of being Christ's -- Ro 8:9; 1Jo 4:13. A proof of adoption -- Ro 8:15; Ga 4:5. Is abiding -- 1Jo 2:27. Those who have not Are sensual. -- Jude 1:19. Are without Christ. -- Ro 8:9. Opposed by the carnal nature -- Ga 5:17.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Apostles, The — Christ pre-eminently called "The Apostle" -- Heb 3:1. Ordained by Christ -- Mr 3:14; Joh 15:16. Received their title from Christ -- Lu 6:13. Called by God. -- 1Co 1:1; 12:28; Ga 1:1,15,16. Christ. -- Mt 10:1; Mr 3:13; Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. The Holy Spirit. -- Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. Were unlearned men -- Ac 4:13. Selected from obscure stations -- Mt 4:18. Sent first to the house of Israel -- Mt 10:5,6; Lu 24:47; Ac 13:46. Sent to preach the gospel to all nations -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15; 2Ti 1:11. Christ always present with -- Mt 28:20. Warned against a timid p”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jerusalem — Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the "city of God," the "holy city;" by the modern Arabs el-Khuds, meaning "the holy;" once "the city of Judah" (2 Chr. 25:28). This name is in the original in the dual form, and means "possession of peace," or "foundation of peace." The dual form probably refers to the two mountains on which it was built, viz., Zion and Moriah; or, as some suppose, to the two parts of the city, the "upper" and the "lower city." Jerusalem is a "mountain city enthroned on a mountain fastness" (comp. Ps. 68:15, 16; 87:1; 125:2; 76:1, 2; 122:3”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H6944J — Holy Place_2= in Jerusalem ([email protected]=H3389) (refs: #A location in <strong="H3389">Jerusalem</strong> first mentioned at Exo.26.33; <br>referred to as <)”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 23.--OF THE MISSION OF THE HOLY GHOST FIFTY DAYS AFTER CHRIST'S RESURRECTION. (part 1): 41. "Thereafter, having confirmed the disciples, and having sojourned with them forty days, He ascended up into heaven, as these same persons were beholding Him. And on the completion of fifty days from His resurrection He sent to them the Holy Spirit (for so He had promised), by whose agency they were to have love shed abroad in their hearts,(2) to the end that they might be able to fulfill the law, not only without the sense of its being burdensome, but”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 2:1: 2:1-4 Jews observed three great annual pilgrimage festivals, when many would go to the Temple in Jerusalem—Unleavened Bread (which includes Passover), Pentecost (Harvest), and Shelters (see Lev 23:1-44). On Pentecost, when the Jewish people were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the harvest of God’s blessings, and when the disciples were united and expectant as they gathered for prayer, the Holy Spirit came and filled the gathered believers.”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 1:13: 1:13-26 While the apostles waited for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (1:4-5), the whole company of 120 disciples in Jerusalem engaged in earnest prayer (1:13-14) and then appointed an apostle to replace Judas Iscariot (1:15-26). 1:13 All eleven of the remaining apostles were present (cp. Matt 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16). Judas Iscariot is omitted from this list on account of his betrayal and death (Acts 1:18-19).”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 8:14: 8:14-17 When the apostles sent two of their own to Samaria, it was an amazing step in overcoming prejudice (cp. Matt 10:5; Luke 9:52-54; John 4:9; 8:48). Then, it was even more amazing that Peter and John prayed that the new Samaritan believers would receive the Holy Spirit. This event parallels the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-47) and marks the spread of the Holy Spirit’s power from Judea to Samaria (1:8).”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 2:3: And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,.... An emblem of the various tongues and languages, in which they were to preach the Gospel; these appearances were like flames of fire parted, and these parted flames looked like tongues; so, a flame of fire is with, the Jews called, , "a tongue of fire", Isa 5:24 hence the Apostle James compares a tongue to fire, Jam 3:6 this was the baptism with fire, John the Baptist speaks of; see Gill on Mat 3:11; and the Jews say (t), "the holy blessed God baptizeth with fire, and the wise shall understand. Through t”