Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Acts 2

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

the day of Pentecost

Scofield Lev 23:15-16, note; Deu 16:9; Acts 20:16.

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them

tongues, as of fire, parting and sitting upon each of them.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Holy Ghost

The Holy Spirit, N.T. Summary (see Scofield Malachi 2:15, note):

1. The Holy Spirit is revealed as a divine Person. This is expressly declared (e.g. Jhn 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Mat 28:19), and everywhere implied.
2. The revelation concerning Him is progressive:
   1. In the O.T. (see Scofield Malachi 2:15, note), He comes upon whom He will, apparently without reference to conditions in them.
   2. During His earth-life, Christ taught His disciples (Luk 11:13) that they might receive the Spirit through prayer to the Father.
   3. At the close of His ministry He promised that He would Himself pray the Father, and that in answer to His prayer the Comforter would come to abide (Jhn 14:16-17).
   4. On the evening of His resurrection He came to the disciples in the upper room, and breathed on them saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (Jhn 20:22), but instructed them to wait before beginning their ministry till the Spirit should come upon them (Luk 24:49; Act 1:8).
   5. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit came upon the whole body of believers (Act 2:1-4).
   6. After Pentecost, so long as the Gospel was preached to Jews only, the Spirit was imparted to such as believed by the laying on of hands (Act 8:17; 9:17, etc.).
   7. When Peter opened the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles (Act 10), the Holy Spirit, without delay, or other condition than faith, was given to those who believed (Act 10:44; 11:15-18). This is the permanent fact for the entire church-age. Every believer is born of the Spirit (Jhn 3:3, 6; 1Jo 5:1), indwelt by the Spirit, whose presence makes the believer's body a temple (1Co 6:19; Rom 8:9-15; 1Jo 2:27; Gal 4:6), and baptized by the Spirit (1Co 12:12-13; 1Jo 2:20, 27), thus sealing him for God (Eph 1:13; 4:30).
3. The N.T. distinguishes between having the Spirit, which is true of all believers, and being filled with the Spirit, which is the believer's privilege and duty (cf. Act 2:4 with Act 4:29-31; Eph 1:13-14 with Eph 5:18)—"One baptism, many fillings."
4. The Holy Spirit is related to Christ
   • in His conception (Mat 1:18-20; Luk 1:35),
   • baptism (Mat 3:16; Mar 1:10; Luk 3:22; Jhn 1:32-33),
   • walk and service (Luk 4:1, 14),
   • resurrection (Rom 8:11), and
   • as His witness throughout this age (Jhn 15:26; 16:8-11, 13-14).
5. The Spirit
   • forms the church (Mat 16:18; Scofield Hebrews 12:23, note) by baptizing all believers into the body of Christ (1Co 12:12-13),
   • imparts gifts for service to every member of that body (1Co 12:7-11, 27, 30),
   • guides the members in their service (Luk 2:27; 4:1; Act 16:6-7) and
   • is Himself the power of that service (Act 1:8; 2:4; 1Co 2:4).
6. The Spirit abides in the company of believers who constitute a local church, making of them, corporately, a temple (1Co 3:16-17).
7. Christ indicates a threefold personal relationship of the Spirit to the believer: "With", "in", "upon" (Jhn 14:17; Luk 24:49; Act 1:8).
   • "With" indicates the approach of God to the soul,
     • convicting of sin (Jhn 16:9),
     • presenting Christ as the object of faith (Jhn 16:14),
     • imparting faith (Eph 2:8), and
     • regenerating (Jhn 3:3-16).
   • "In" describes the abiding presence of the Spirit
     • in the believer's body (1Co 6:19)
     • to give victory over the flesh (Rom 8:2-4; Gal 5:16-17),
     • to create the Christian character (Gal 5:22-23),
     • to help infirmities (Rom 8:26),
     • to inspire prayer (Eph 6:18),
     • to give conscious access to God (Eph 2:18),
     • to actualize to the believer his sonship (Gal 4:6),
     • to apply the Scripture in cleansing and sanctification (Eph 5:26; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2),
     • to comfort and intercede (Act 9:31; Rom 8:26), and
     • to reveal Christ (Jhn 16:14).
8. Sins against the Spirit committed by unbelievers are:
   • To blaspheme (Mat 12:31),
   • resist (Act 7:51),
   • insult (Heb 10:29, "despite," literaly insult).
   Believers' sins against the Spirit are:
   • To grieve Him by allowing evil in heart or life (Eph 4:30-31), and
   • to quench Him by disobedience (1Th 5:19).
   The right attitude toward the Spirit is yieldedness to His sway in walk and service, and in constant willingness that He shall "put away" whatever grieves Him or hinders His power Ephesians 4:31.
9. The symbols of the Spirit are:
   1. oil (Jhn 3:34; Heb 1:9);
   2. water (Jhn 7:38-39);
   3. wind (Act 2:2; Jhn 3:8);
   4. fire (Act 2:3);
   5. a dove (Mat 3:16);
   6. a seal (Eph 1:13; 4:30);
   7. an earnest or pledge (Eph 1:14).

other tongues

Psa 68:18.

Spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). Mat 1:18.

Act 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

tongue [See also Act 2:11.]

language.

Act 2:10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

of

from.

Act 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

in doubt

perplexed.

Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

said unto them

The theme of Peter's sermon at Pentecost is stated in Act 2:36. It is, that Jesus is the Messiah. No message could have been more unwelcome to the Jews who had rejected His Messianic claims, and crucified Him. Peter, therefore, does not announce his theme until he has covered every possible Jewish objection. The point of difficulty with the Jews was the apparent failure of the clear and repeated prophetic promise of a regathered Israel established in their own land under their covenanted King (e.g. Isa 11:10-12; Jer 23:5-8; Eze 37:21-18). Instead of explaining, as Rome first taught, followed by some Protestant commentators, that the covenant and promises were to be fulfilled in the church in a so-called "spiritual" sense, Peter shows (Act 2:25-32) from Psa 16 that David himself understood that the dead and risen Christ would fulfil the covenant and sit on his throne (Luk 1:32-33). In precisely the same way James (Act 15:14-17) met the same difficulty. See "Kingdom (O.T.)," Zec 12:8; (N.T.), Luk 1:33; 1Co 15:24.

Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

by

through.

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

the last days

A distinction must be observed between "the last days" when the prediction relates to Israel, and the "last days" when the prediction relates to the church (1Ti 4:1-3; 2Ti 3:1-8; Heb 1:1-2; 1Pe 1:4-5; 2Pe 3:1-9; 1Jo 2:18-19; Jde 1:17-19). Also distinguish the expression the "last days" (plural) from "the last day" (singular); the latter expression referring to the resurrections and last judgment (Jhn 6:39-40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48). The "last days" as related to the church began with the advent of Christ (Heb 1:2), but have especial reference to the time of declension and apostasy at the end of this age (2Ti 3:1; 4:4). The "last days" as related to Israel are the days of Israel's exaltation and blessing, and are synonymous with the kingdom-age (Isa 2:2-4; Mic 4:1-7). They are "last" not with reference to this dispensation, but with reference to the whole of Israel's history.

I will pour out

Act 2:17-21; Joe 2:28-32.

my Spirit

Holy Spirit (N.T.). Act 2:17-18, 33, 38; 4:8, 31. (Mat 1:18; Act 2:4.)

Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

servants

bondmen

pour out in those days of my Spirit

Joe 2:29.

Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

that great and notable day

Day (of Jehovah). Act 2:19-20; 1Th 5:1-3. (Isa 2:10-22; Rev 19:11-21).

Lord

Jehovah. Joe 2:31.

Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Lord

Jehovah. Joe 2:32.

saved

Scofield Romans 1:16, note.

Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

foreknowledge

Foreknowledge. Act 26:5. (Act 2:23; 1Pe 1:20.)

Act 2:25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

I foresaw the Lord always before my face

Psa 16:8-11.

Lord

Jehovah. Psa 16:8.

Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

hell [See also Act 2:31.]

Hades. Scofield Luke 16:23, note.

Holy One

Holy One. Psa 16:10.

Act 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

life

Life (eternal). Act 3:15. (Mat 7:14; Rev 22:19.)

Act 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

David…both dead and buried

1Ki 2:10; Act 13:36.

Act 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

he would raise up Christ

Israel (prophecies). Act 2:29-32; Act 15:14-17. (Gen 12:2, 3; Rom 11:26.)

to sit on his throne

Kingdom (N.T.). Act 2:29-32; Act 15:14-17. (Luk 1:31-33; 1Co 15:28).

Act 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Christ

the Christ

Act 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

raised up

Resurrection. Act 4:2, 33. (Job 19:25; 1 Cor 15:52.)

Act 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Lord

Adonai. Psa 110:1.

Act 2:38 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.

Repent

Repentance. Act 3:19. (Mat 3:2; Act 17:30.)

for

unto.

remission

Scofield Matthew 26:28, note.

sins

Sin. Scofield Romans 3:23, note.

Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Lord

Jehovah. Joe 2:32.

Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

that gladly received

having received.

added unto them

Churches (local). Act 8:1-8. (Act 2:41; Phl 1:1).

Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

doctrine

teaching.

Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

by

through.

Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

eat their meat

partake of their food.

Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Moreover the Lord was adding to the church day by day those being saved.

church

Church (true). 1Co 12:12-28. (Mat 16:18; Heb 12:23.)

saved

Scofield Romans 1:16, note.