Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary

Filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each 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 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" (NKJV)

 

The word pentecost is a Greek word meaning fifty days. The Jewish Feast of Harvest is also known as the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Pentecost. It occurs seven weeks after Passover. It commemorates the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, including the Day of Firstfruits. The first day after the seven weeks, the fiftieth day and a Sunday, commemorates the “Day of Firstfruits” for the barley harvest (Lev. 23:15-16).

”The “Day of Pentecost” (v. 1a) is that Day of Firstfruits. It is the day the church was born which was originally made up of Jewish believers, the first fruits of the Gospel. On that day the disciples were united, ”with one accord in one place” (v. 1b). 

Their usual meeting place was in the upper room in Jerusalem. They were meeting on a Sunday. “Suddenly” a “sound from heaven” like a “mighty wind” came and “filled the whole house” (v. 2). Then “divided tongues, as of fire” “sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (vv. 3-4a). 

By the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit the disciples began “to speak with other tongues”, other dialects (v. 4b). The “devout” Jews in Jerusalem heard the voices of the disciples (v. 5a). These Jews were from “every nation” of the known world, being in town for the Feast of Pentecost (v. 5b). 

The Jews “came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language” (v. 6). “They were all amazed and marveled”, wondering how these men from Galilee could all of a sudden be speaking in all of their own languages (vv. 7-8). 

Jews from all over the known world understood the disciples speaking of “the wonderful works of God” (vv. 9-11). “They were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘Whatever could this mean?’ “(v. 12). 

Jesus had fulfilled His promise. He had commanded the disciples not to depart from Jerusalem but instead to wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-6). They were now indwelled by the Holy Spirit, empowered to do the work of God. 

Everyone who came after the disciples was indwelled by the Holy Spirit upon becoming a Christian. We have the power to do the work of God. We should unleash that power. 

We can do the work of God wherever we are. God has put us in this place at this time in history for a reason. He wants us to take the Gospel to those He puts in our circle of influence. We have the power to do this, because we are filled with the Holy Spirit!