Bible Commentaries

The Kingdom Of God
Came With Power
- Acts Two -

The Lord Jesus had promised, "Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." (Mark 9:1) Acts Chapter Two provides a record of the kingdom of God or the church coming with power.

On the day of Pentecost following our Lord's resurrection the disciples were assembled and waiting in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father to be fulfilled. According to Isaiah the word of the Lord was to go forth from Jerusalem. "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." (Isaiah 2:3)

On that Pentecost day the Holy Ghost came on the apostles with a sound as a mighty rushing wind. There appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire. The apostles were given power to speak in languages that they had never studied. This was to make it possible for them to preach to Jews from every nation in their own language. The reactions were very different as to what happened on Pentecost: (1) some of the people said the apostles were drunk. (2) Some of the people were astonished to hear the apostles declare the wonderful works of God. (3) The apostles were sure that this was a fulfillment of what the prophets had spoken.

The apostles used the events of Pentecost to preach Jesus to these people. Peter's sermon had three points: (1) He spoke of how Jesus fulfilled prophecy, (2) He spoke of the great miracle working ministry of Jesus, and (3) He spoke of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This sermon both alarmed and convinced many that heard it.

The people inquired as to what they must do. They were told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, for the remission of sins. The gift of the Holy Ghost was promised to those that obey. About 3,000 people gladly received the word and were baptized. These saved people were added to the church. Those in the church enjoyed a wonderful fellowship.

The Holy Ghost descended - Acts 2:1-4 : Jesus had promised that the kingdom of God would come with power. (Mark 9:1) The power came with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. The events under consideration took place on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was fifty days from Passover. (Leviticus 23:15-16) The Holy Ghost came on the apostles with power on the Pentecost following Jesus" resurrection.

Acts two begins "they were all with one accord in one place." The "They" included Matthias, and the eleven with whom he was numbered. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost came on the apostles only, not on the hundred and twenty. There was a sound like a mighty rushing wind and tongues parting like fire. The apostles spoke the gospel with other tongues or languages. They were able to preach the gospel in languages they had never learned.

The lost are gathered - Acts 2:5-15 : The sound like a rushing mighty wind and the tongues parting asunder like fire resulted in the multitude coming together. "There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." The apostles spoke in the language of the people who had gathered. They taught these people the "wonderful works of God" in their own language.

The people were especially amazed because the men that spoke were all Galilaeans. At best they were unpolished and unlearned men. They had never attended any school of learning nor had they learned any language but their own. Some wondered what the events of Pentecost meant. Others accused the apostles of being drunk. Peter stood up with the other apostles and said they were not drunk. He said it was only the third hour of the day. No Jew would drink before the first hour of prayer -- nine in the morning.

The sermon is preached - Acts 2:16-39 : Peter said the events of Pentecost were predicted by the prophet Joel. This is what Joel had predicted. The "last days" refers to the Christian dispensation that was beginning that day. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus was accompanied with great natural wonders spoken of in this chapter.

In the midst of those amazing natural events often associated with God's judgment against nations the hope of salvation is presented. The concern of Peter's sermon was human salvation and the means of obtaining such salvation. Peter preached about the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. Peter's sermon focused on, (1) the fact that Jesus fulfilled prophecy, (2) His great miracle working ministry, and (3) the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord.

The apostles made it clear that salvation comes to believers that will repent and be baptized. On this beginning day of the church about three thousand souls were baptized for remission of sins. These baptized believers were added to the church.

The result is salvation - Acts 2:40-47 : Only those that gladly receive the word can be saved. The one that gladly receives the word will be baptized immediately. They did not eat, sleep nor drink first. Salvation was the most important thing in the world to them. Those that are added to the church must remain steadfast in service to God. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles" doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42)

All God's people must be together as one in Christ Jesus. "All that believed were together" could not refer to together in one place because the number was so large. They were of one mind and judgment as to Jesus, who He is, what He has done and what we must do to be washed in His blood. The disciples were of one heart and soul. That is why God added all the saved and only the saved to the church. Christians bless and encourage one another and also spread the salvation message to others.

Are you a child of God? "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 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? 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." (Acts 2:36-38)

Now is the time to serve God faithfully. To become a Christian hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized. (Acts 2:38) Those that become Christians are added by the Lord to His church. Are you a faithful member of Christ's church?