Our First Glimpse of the Church

Next Part Promise of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1 records an extraordinary moment in history: The New Testament Church is about to come into existence. Luke writes of those present, “they were all with one accord in one place” on the annual Holy Day of Pentecost. Peter gives a powerful sermon. Miracles are recorded. The Holy Spirit is given. After repentance is explained, thousands request baptism. About 3,000 are “called” (Lk 2:39) and “gladly receive his [Peter’s] word” (Lk 2:41). Probably the largest single group baptism in history occurs. The New Testament Church is born!

What did this signify—what did it mean? Of course, the Church of God was established (Matt. 16:18), but what else? Did this account also establish the exact pattern by which the Holy Spirit is always given?

What did this new Church look like? Even in its infancy there were clues. The Bible answers immediately: “…and they continued steadfastly in the APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE and fellowship” (Acts 2:42).

We must understand what occurred on this day, and what the apostles taught (their “doctrine”) about receiving God’s Spirit.

The Pentecost Account Made Plain

Many think the account in Acts 2:1-47 is Bible authorization for “tarry meetings” and that “baptism of the Holy Spirit” is only evidenced by “speaking in tongues.”

Remember, assume nothing and “prove all things” (I Thes. 5:21) to find the truth of God’s Word. Let’s carefully examine the Pentecost account.

I Thes 5:1: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” This is a picture of unity and agreement—something completely foreign to the arguing, disagreeing, competing Pentecostal denominations of today.

I Thes 5:2: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” This speaks of a “sound from heaven,” not a “sound from people.” Notice also that the sound “filled the whole house.” This certainly never happens today. There is absolutely no indication that the people made any noise prior to this sound. Also, it occurred “suddenly.” It was not slowly, gradually worked up by noisy people! Finally, recognize that this occurred on a Holy Day—Pentecost—which only occurs once a year. This was never intended to be an “every Sunday” or twice-a-week event.

As a college student, I once attended a Pentecostal meeting. I witnessed thousands literally jumping, twisting, dancing, singing, muttering and screeching—and falling down foaming at the mouth. It was nothing like the scene in Acts 2:1-47.

Ac 2:3: “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” When has this ever happened since—even one single time? This was an absolutely unique miracle never seen before or since.

Ac 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” There has certainly never been a “Pentecostal” meeting where “all” received the Holy Spirit at the exact same moment. Yet this very verse contains the phrase so many seize to support today’s common practices: “…and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Note that it says all began to speak in “other” languages, not “unknown” languages. You will also see that this type of tongues required no interpreter.

Ac 2:5-6: “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.” One can only imagine how news of such an event would spread. Just the noise, if it were similar to a hurricane or tornado, would be sufficient for all Jerusalem to hear what happened. Like any loud explosion, many would have come running and—notice carefully—“every man heard them speak in his own language.” Let’s skip to Ac 2:9-11 to better understand how many languages were spoken in Jerusalem. We will then read Ac 2:7-8.

Ac 2:9-11: “Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Ac 2:7-8: “And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” Did you catch this? Ac 2:6, 8 and 11 all say that those observing were able to “HEAR”—“HEARD”—in their own language.

Once in All History

What occurred in Acts 2:1-47 has never happened again. Peter was speaking in his own language, with people of possibly eighteen different language groups hearing him as though he was speaking only their language.

I have never heard a single report of anything similar. Have you? Let me repeat. The entire account was unique in history. Remember, it included a miracle in both the hearing and the speaking.

Other than Acts 2:1-47, the tongues that the Bible speaks of is not in the hearing. Rather, it concerns those who could speak in other (foreign) languages that the one speaking does not understand. So, this type cannot be in the hearing.

Ac 2:12-13: “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What means this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.” Obviously, this was a miracle that those who had not witnessed could only explain through sarcasm, disbelief or accusations of drunkenness.

Remember, Acts 2:1-47 describes the birth of the Church that Jesus Christ promised to establish when He said, “I will build My Church” (Matt. 16:18). The manner in which God gave His Spirit was extraordinary because it was intended to reflect the fulfilment of an event unique in all human history!