Peters Sermon on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2
On the Day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2, the apostles were gathered together when the Holy Spirit descended upon them, enabling them to speak in various languages [2, 5, 6]. This event prompted Peter to deliver a significant sermon to the astonished crowd gathered in Jerusalem.
The setting for this sermon was the Jewish festival of Pentecost, a feast also known as the "feast of harvest" or "day of the firstfruits," celebrated fifty days after Passover [1, 6]. The disciples were "with one accord in one place" when the Spirit came [2]. This dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit, characterized by a sound like a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire, led to the apostles speaking in diverse tongues, which drew a large crowd of Jews from various nations who were in Jerusalem for the festival [5].
Peter's sermon served to explain these miraculous events, asserting that what the crowd witnessed was a fulfillment of prophecy, specifically from the prophet Joel [9]. Joel 2:28-32 predicted a widespread outpouring of God's Spirit in the "last days," including visions and dreams for both young and old, men and women [9]. Peter declared that these "last days" had arrived with the coming of the Holy Spirit [9].
A central theme of Peter's message was the identity and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He proclaimed that Jesus, whom they had crucified, was indeed the Messiah, and that God had raised Him from the dead [8]. Peter called the people to repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, promising them the gift of the Holy Spirit in return [3, 7]. This call to action resulted in about three thousand people being added to their number that day [5].
The sermon in Acts 2 is a foundational text for understanding the early Christian church's mission and the role of the Holy Spirit. It marks a pivotal moment where the power of the Holy Spirit was extended beyond a select few, signaling the beginning of the church's evangelistic work [4, 7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Pentecost — I.e., "fiftieth", found only in the New Testament (Acts 2:1; 20:16; 1 Cor. 16:8). The festival so named is first spoken of in Ex. 23:16 as "the feast of harvest," and again in Ex. 34:22 as "the day of the firstfruits" (Num. 28:26). From the sixteenth of the month of Nisan (the second day of the Passover), seven complete weeks, i.e., forty-nine days, were to be reckoned, and this feast was held on the fiftieth day. The manner in which it was to be kept is described in Lev. 23:15-19; Num. 28:27-29. Besides the sacrifices prescribed for the occasion, every o”
- Acts “Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. -- Acts 2:1”
- Acts “Acts 2:38 (Tyndale) — Peter sayde vnto them: repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of synnes and ye shall receave the gyfte of the holy goost.”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 2 (introduction): Between the promise of the Messiah (even the latest of those promises) and his coming many ages intervened; but between the promise of the Spirit and his coming there were but a few days; and during those days the apostles, though they had received orders to preach the gospel to every creature, and to begin at Jerusalem, yet lay perfectly wind-bound, incognito - concealed, and not offering to preach. But in this chapter the north wind and the south wind awake, and then they awake, and we have them in the pulpit presently. Here is, I. The descent of the S”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 2 (introduction): The day of pentecost being arrived, and the disciples assembled, the Holy Spirit descended as a mighty rushing wind, and in the likeness of fiery tongues sat upon them; in consequence of which, they were all enabled to speak different languages, which they had never learned, Act 2:1-4. An account of persons from various countries who there present, and were astonished to hear the apostles declare the wonderful works of God in their respective languages, Act 2:5-12. Some cavil, Act 2:13, and are confounded by Peter, who asserts that this work is of God; and”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 2 (introduction): DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT--THE DISCIPLES SPEAK WITH TONGUES--AMAZEMENT OF THE MULTITUDE. (Act 2:1-13) when the day of Pentecost was fully come--The fiftieth from the morrow after the first Passover sabbath (Lev 23:15-16). with one accord--the solemnity of the day, perhaps, unconsciously raising their expectations.”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 10:44: 10:44-48 On the day of Pentecost, Peter told the assembly that if they would repent, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, they would receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (2:38; cp. 19:1-7). As Cornelius and his household listened to Peter’s message, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, too, and they were baptized. They received the Holy Spirit just as the Jews did, so clearly God had shown no partiality (10:34-35). This event parallels the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (2:1-47) and marks the spread of the Holy Spirit’s power to”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:4: 15:4 just as the Scriptures said: See Ps 16:10; Hos 6:2; Jon 1:17; Matt 12:40; Acts 2:24-32.”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 2:17: 2:17-21 This passage quotes Joel 2:28-32. The prophet Joel predicted a wider exercise of the gifts of prophecy, including visions and dreams by both young and old, both men and women in the last days (Joel 2:28-29). In Acts, on the day of Pentecost, Peter declared that Joel’s prophecy was being fulfilled, signaling that “the last days” had arrived.”