Acts 2

 

 1 And (1) when the (*) day of Pentecost was (a) come, they were (b) (♣) all with one accord in one place.

 

(1) The Apostles being gathered together on a most solemn feast day in one place, that it might evidently appear to all the world, that they had all one office, one Spirit, one faith, are by a double sign from heaven authorized, and anointed with all the most excellent gifts of the holy Ghost and especially with an extraordinary and necessary gift of tongues.

(*) The holy Ghost was sent when much people was assembled in Jerusalem at the feast, Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:16; Deuteronomy 16:9; because the thing might not only be known there, but also through the world.
(a) Word for word, was fulfilled; that is, was begun, as Luke 2:21 . For the Hebrews say that a day, or a year is fulfilled or ended, when the former days or years are ended, and the other begun; Jeremiah 25:12 . And it shall come to pass, that when seventy years are fulfilled, I will visit, etc. For the Lord did not bring home his people after the seventieth year was ended, but in the seventieth year; Now the day of Pentecost was the fiftieth day after the feast of the Passover.
(b) The twelve Apostles, which were to be the Patriarchs as it were of the Church.

(♣) That is, the Apostles.

 

 2 And (*) suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing and mighty (♣) wind, and it filled all the house where they sat.

 

(*) Acts 1:5; Acts 11:15; Acts 19:6; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16 .

(♣) Whereby is signified the holy Ghost.

 

 3 And there appeared unto them cloven (*) tongues, like (♣) fire, and it sat upon each of them.

 

(*) This sign agreeth with the thing which is signified thereby.

(♣) To declare the virtue and force that should be in them.

 

 4 And they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and began to speak with (c) other tongues, as the (d) Spirit gave them (*) utterance.

 

(c) He calleth them other tongues, which were not the same which the Apostles used commonly, and Mark calleth them new tongues.
(d) Hereby were understood that the Apostles used not now one tongue, and then another by haphazard and at all adventure, or as fantastical men used to do, but with good consideration of their hearers; and to be short, that they spake nothing but as the holy Ghost governed their tongues.

(*) Or, to speak.

 

 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, men that feared God, of every nation under heaven.

 

 6 Now when this was (*) noised, the multitude came together and were astonied, because that every man heard them speak his own language.

 

(*) How the Apostles spake divers languages.

 

 7 And they wondered all, and marveled, saying among themselves, Behold, are not all these which speak, of Galilee?

 

 8  (e) How then hear we every man our own (*) language, wherein we were born?

 

(e) Not that they spake with one voice, and many languages were heard, but that the Apostles spake with strange tongues; for else the miracle had rather been in the hearers, whereas now it is in the speakers; Nazianzen in his oration of Whitsunday.

(*) For they could speak all languages, so that they were able to speak to every man in his own language.

 

 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, and of Judea, and of Cappadocia, of Pontus, and Asia,

 

 10 And of Phrygia, and Pamphylia, of Egypt, and of the parts of Libya, which is beside Cyrene, and (*) strangers of Rome, and (f) (♣) Jews, and (♠) Proselytes,

 

(*) Or, those that dwell at Rome.

(f) By Jews, he meaneth them that were both Jews by birth, and Jews by profession of religion though they were born in other places; and they were Proselytes, which were Gentiles born and embraced the Jew’s religion.

(♣) Whose ancestors were not of the Jewish nation, but were converted to the Jews religion, which their children did profess.

(♠) That is, such as were converted to the Jewish religion, which were before paynims and idolaters.

 

 11 Cretes, and Arabians, we heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.

 

 12  (2) They were all then amazed, and doubted, saying one to another, What may this be?

 

(2) God's word pierceth some so, that it driveth them to seek out the truth, and it doeth so choke others, that it forceth them to be witnesses of their own impudency.

 

 13 And others (g) (*) mocked, and said, They are full of (♣) new wine.

 

(g) The word which he useth here, signifieth such a kind of mocking which is reproachful and contumelious; and by this reproachful mocking we see, that there is no miracle so great and excellent, which the wickedness of man dareth not speak evil of.

(*) There is no work of God so excellent, which the wicked scoffers do not deride.

(♣) Or, sweet.

 

 14  ¶ But Peter standing with the eleven, (h) lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and ye all that inhabit Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken unto my words.

 

(h) Peter his boldness is to be marked, wherein the grace of the holy Ghost is to be seen, even straight after the beginning.

 

 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, since it is but the (i) third hour of the day.

 

(i) After the sun rising, which may be about seven or eight of the clock with us.

 

 16 But this is that, which was spoken by the (k) (♣) Prophet (*) Joel,

 

(k) There is nothing that can dissolve questions and doubt, but testimonies taken out of the Prophets; for men's reasons may be overturned, but God's voice cannot be overturned.

(♣) He expoundeth Joel’s mind without binding himself to his words.

(*) Joel 2:28, Isaiah 44:3 .

 

 17  (3) And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon (l) all (m) (*) flesh, and your sons, and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your (♣) old men shall dream dreams.

 

(3) Peter setting the truth of God against the false accusations of men, sheweth in himself and in his fellows, that which is fulfilled which Joel spake before concerning the full giving of the holy Ghost in the latter days; which grace also is offered to the whole Church, to their certain and undoubted destruction, which do contemn it.
(l) All without exception, both upon the Jews and Gentiles.
(m) That is, men.

(*) Or man; meaning young and old, man and woman.

(♣) Meaning, that God will shew himself very familiarly and plainly both to old and young.

 

 18 And on my servants, and on my handmaids I will (*) pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.

 

(*) Even in great abundance.

 

 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and tokens in the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and the vapor of smoke.

 

 20  (*) The (♣) sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.

 

(*) Joel 2:31 .

(♣) God will shew such signs of his wrath through all the world, that men shall be no less amazed than if the whole order of nature were changed.

 

 21  (4) And it shall be, (*) that whosoever shall (n) call on the (♣) Name of the Lord, shall be saved.

 

(4) The chiefest use of all the gifts of the holy Ghost, is to bring men to salvation by faith.

(*) Romans 10:13 .
(n) This word, Call on, signifieth in holy Scriptures, an earnest praying and craving for help at God’s hand.

(♣) He teacheth this remedy to avoid the wrath and threatenings of God, and to obtain salvation.

 

 22  (5) Ye men of Israel, hear these words, JESUS of Nazareth, a man (o) approved of God among you with great works, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know;

 

(5) Christ being innocent, was by God's providence crucified of wicked men.
(o) Who is by those works which God wrought by him, so manifestly approved and allowed of, that no man can gainsay him.

 

 23 Him, I say, have ye taken by the (p) hands of (*) the wicked, being delivered by the (♣) determinate counsel, and (q) (♠) foreknowledge of God, and have crucified and (r) slain.

 

(p) God's counsel doeth not excuse the Jews, whose hands were wicked.

(*) God caused their wickedness to set forth his glory contrary to their minds.

(♣) As Judas’ treason and the Jews cruelty towards Christ were most detestable, so were they not only known to the eternal wisdom of God, but also directed by his immutable counsel to a most blessed end.

(q) God's everlasting knowledge going before, which can neither be separated from his determinate counsel, as the Epicureans say, neither yet be the cause of evil; for God in his everlasting and unchangeable counsel, appointed the wicked act of Judas to an excellent end; and God doeth that well which the instruments do ill.

(♠) Or, providence.
(r) The fast is said to be theirs, by whose counsel and egging forward it is done.

 

 24  (6) Whom God hath raised up, and loosed the (s) (*) sorrows of death, because it was impossible that he should be holden of it.

 

(6) Christ (as David foretold) did not only rise again, but also was in the grave void of all corruption.
(s) The death that was full of sorrow both of body and mind; therefore when death appeared conqueror and victorer over those sorrows, Christ is rightly said to have overcome those sorrows of death, when as being dead, he overcame death, to live forever with his Father.

(*) Both as touching the pain, and also the horror of God’s wrath and curse.

 

 25 For David saith concerning him, (*) I beheld the Lord always before me; for he is at my (♣) right hand, that I should not be shaken.

 

(*) Psalm 16:9 .

(♣) To signify that nothing can comfort us in our afflictions except we know that God is present with us.

 

 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad, and moreover also my flesh shall rest in (*) hope,

 

(*) Our hope standeth in God’s defense.

 

 27 Because thou wilt not (t) leave my (*) soul in grave, neither wilt suffer thine Holy One to (♣) see corruption.

 

(t) Thou wilt not suffer me to remain in grave.

(*) Or, life; or, person.

(♣) Or, feel.

 

 28 Thou hast (u) shewed me the (*) ways of life, and shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

 

(u) Thou hast opened me the way to the true life.

(*) In restoring me from death to life.

 

 29 Men and brethren, I may boldly speak unto you of the Patriarch David, (*) that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher remaineth with us unto this day.

 

(*) 1 Kings 2:10, Acts 13:36 .

 

 30 Therefore, seeing he was a (♣) Prophet, and knew that God had (*) (x) sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would raise up Christ concerning the flesh, to set him upon his throne,

 

(♣) And so knew be revelation and special promise that which else he could not have known.

(*) Psalm 132:11 .

(x) Had sworn solemnly.

 

 31 He knowing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that (*) his (♣) soul should not be left in (♠) grave, neither his flesh should (♦) see corruption.

 

(*) Psalm 16:10; Acts 13:35 .

(♣) Or, person.

(♠) The word signifieth a place where one can see nothing.

(♦) Or, feel.

 

 32  (7) This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

 

(7) Peter witnesseth that Jesus Christ is the appointed everlasting King, which he proveth manifestly by the gifts of the holy Ghost, and the testimony of David.

 

 33 Since then that he by the (y) right hand of God hath been exalted, and hath (*) received of his Father the promise of the holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear.

 

(y) Might and power of God.

(*) He obtained of his father power to accomplish the promise which he made to his Apostles, as toughing the holy Ghost to be sent unto them.

 

 34 For David is not ascended into heaven, but he saith, (*) The Lord said to my Lord, (♣) Sit at my right hand,

 

(*) Psalm 110:1 .

(♣) And therefore Christ doeth far excel David.

 

 35 Until I (*) make thine enemies thy footstool.

 

(*) Christ is the only redeemer unto whom all powers are subject and must obey.

 

 36 Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for a surety, that God hath (z) (*) made him both Lord, and Christ, this Jesus, I say, whom ye have crucified.

 

(z) Christ is said to be made, because he was advanced to that dignity; and therefore it is not spoken of his nature, but of his state and dignity.

(*) That is, hath the appointed as King and ruler; and note, that in all this Sermon Peter speaketh of Christ’s manhood, as he was dead, buried, risen and ascended to heaven.

 

 37 Now when they heard it, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter and the other Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 

 38  (8) Then Peter said unto them, Amend your lives, 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.

 

(8) Repentance and remission of sins in Christ, are two principles of the Gospel, and therefore of our salvation; and they are obtained by the promises apprehended by faith, and are ratified in us by Baptism, wherewith is joined the virtue of the holy Ghost.

(*) He speaketh not here of the form of baptism, but teacheth that the whole effect thereof consisteth in Jesus Christ.

(♣) The visible signs.

 

 39 For the (a) promise (*) is made unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

(a) The word that is used here, giveth us to understand that it was a free gift.

(*) Christ is promised both to the Jews and Gentiles, but the Jews have the first place.

 

 40  (9) And with many other words he (*) besought and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this froward generation.

 

(9) He is truly joined to the Church which separateth himself from the wicked.

(*) Or, protested before God.

 

 41  (10) Then they that gladly received his word, were baptized; and the same day there were added to the Church about three thousand (*) souls.

 

(10) A notable example of the virtue of the holy Ghost; but such as are of age, are not baptized before they make confession of their faith.

(*) Or, persons.

 

 42  (11) And they continued in the Apostles’ doctrine, and (b) (*) fellowship, and (c) (♣) breaking of bread, and prayers.

 

(11) The marks of the true Church of the doctrine of the Apostles, the duties of charity, the pure and simple administration of the Sacraments, and true invocation used of all the faithful.
(b) Communicating of goods, and all other duties of charity, as is shewed afterward.

(*) Which standeth in brotherly love, and liberality, Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 9:13; Hebrews 13:16 .
(c) The Jews used thin loaves, and therefore they did rather brake them than cut them; So by breaking of bread, they understood that living together and the banquets which they used to keep. And when they kept their love feasts, they used to celebrate the Lord's Supper, which even in these days began to be corrupted, and Paul amendeth it, 1 Corinthians 11 .

(♣) Which was the ministration of the Lord’s supper.

 

 43  ¶ (12) And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles.

 

(12) So oft as the Lord thinketh it expedient, he bridleth the rage of strangers that the Church may be planted, and have some refreshing.

 

 44  (13) And all that believed, were in one place, and had all things (*) common.

 

(13) Charity maketh all things common concerning the use, according as necessity requireth.

(*) Acts 4:32 .

 

 45 And they sold their possessions and (*) goods, and parted them to all men, as every one had need.

 

(*) Not that their goods were mingled all together; but such order was observed that every man frankly relieved another’s necessity.

 

 46  (14) And they continued daily with one accord in the Temple, (*) and (♣) breaking bread (♠) at home, did eat their meat together with gladness and singleness of heart,

 

(14) The faithful came together at the beginning with great fruit, not only to the hearing of the word, but also to meat.

(*) Acts 20:7 .

(♣) They did eat together, and at these feats did used to minister the Lord’s supper, 1 Corinthians 11:21; Jude 1:12 .

(♠) Or, from house to house.

 

 47 Praising God, and had favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church (*) from day to day, such as should be saved.

 

(*) Whereby we see that the Apostles travailed not in vain.

 

 

 

Steve

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