Acts 2
—Simply Bible Readings

Miracle of Many Languages Spoken

(Acts 2:1-13)

¶“1When the day of Pentecost was in full swing, they were all together, fiercely united. 2And a sound came unexpectedly out of Heaven, as borne of a violent wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3Also they could see divided tongues like flames, and one sat upon each of them. 4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave utterance to them.” (Acts 2:1-4).

¶“5Many Jews were staying in Jerusalem, pious men from every nation under heaven. 6The crowd gathered as the news spread, and they were confounded, because each heard them speak in his own language. 7So they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to each other, 'Look, aren't all those who speak Galilaeans? 8How then do we each hear in the language of our birthplace? 9We are Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God!' ” (Acts 2:5-11).

¶“12They were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying to one another, 'What can this mean?' 13Others mocked: they said, 'These men are full of sweet wine!' ” (Acts 2:12-13).

Peter’s Powerful Message

(Acts 2:14-36).

¶“14But Peter, standing among the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them, 'Men of Judea, and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you and heed my words. 15 You suppose these men are drunk, but they are not! Be reasonable. It's only the third hour of the day.” (Acts 2:14-15).

¶“16But this is what God spoke about through the prophet Joel: 17In the last days, says God, 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. 18And yes, in those days I will pour out my Spirit on my servants and on my handmaids, and they shall prophesy.” (Acts 2:16-18).

¶“19I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood and fire, and palls of smoke. 20The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 21And so it will be that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:19-21).

¶“22'Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth is a man recommended to you by God. You yourselves know this, because in your very midst God wrought mighty works and wonders and signs by him. 23He was then delivered up by the ordaining counsel and foreknowledge of God. You took him, and you crucified and killed him by the hand of men who don't obey God’s law. 24But God released him from the agony of death, and raised him up, because it was impossible for death to keep him captive.'” (Acts 2:22-24).

¶“25For David has this to say about Christ: I saw the Lord always facing me, for he is at my right hand that I should not be moved. 26Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. And more than this, my flesh as well will dwell in hope; 27because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you let your Holy One see decay. 28You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of joy with your presence.” (Acts 2:25-28).

¶“29Brothers, I can say without contradiction that the patriarch David is dead and buried. His tomb is with us to this day. 30So David was speaking as a prophet. He knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that, of the fruit of David’s fleshly body, God would raise up the Christ to sit on David’s throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that Christ’s soul was not abandoned in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.'” (Acts 2:29-31).

¶“32Jesus is this one whom God raised up. To that fact we all bear witness. 33Jesus has therefore been exalted to the right hand of God. He has received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit. He has poured out this which you now see and hear.” (Acts 2:32-33).

¶“34David didn't ascend into the heavens, but David himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit by my right hand, 35until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. 36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain, that God has made him both Lord and Christ —this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:34-36).

Christ’s First Congregation

(Acts 2:37-47).

¶“37Now when the crowd heard Peter’s words, they were cut to the heart, and asked Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' 38Peter answered them, 'Repent and be immersed every one of you. Do this in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39This promise is made to you, to your children, and to all who are far away; yes, as many as the Lord our God will call.' ” (Acts 2:37-39).

¶“40With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, to tell them, 'Save yourselves from this twisted generation!' 41Then those who were pleased to welcome Peter’s message were immersed. There were added that day about three thousand souls. 42They made a strong continuing commitment to the apostles’ teaching; and to fellowship; and to the breaking of bread; and to prayer. 43And on every soul there came fear; and through the apostles many wonders and signs occurred.” (Acts 2:40-43).

¶“44All who believed kept company in all-inclusive fellowship. 45They sold things that they owned, and shared the proceeds out to everyone who was needy. 46Day by day they continued to be strongly united. They worshiped in the temple. In their homes they enjoyed breaking bread, sharing their meals with happy and simple hearts. 47They were praising God, and had approval in their whole community. Every day, the Lord kept on adding those who were being saved to the number of his called out.” (Acts 2:44-47).