[1]

1  And when the day of Pentecost[2] was now accomplishing, they were all together in one place.

2  And there came suddenly a sound out of heaven as of a violent impetuous blowing, and filled all the house where they were sitting.

3  And there appeared to them parted tongues, as of fire[3], and it sat upon each one of them.

4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit[4], and began to speak with other tongues[5] as the Spirit gave to them to speak forth.

5  Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, pious men, from every nation of those under heaven.[6]

6  But the rumour of this having spread, the multitude came together and were confounded, because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect.

7  And all were amazed and wondered, saying, Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans?

8  and how do *we* hear them each in our own dialect in which we have been born,

9  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judaea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10  both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya which adjoin Cyrene, and the Romans sojourning here[7] , both Jews and proselytes,

11  Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our own tongues the great things of God?

12  And they were all amazed and in perplexity, saying one to another, What would this mean?

13  But others mocking said, They are full of new wine.

14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke forth to them, Men of Judaea, and all ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words:

15  for these are not full of wine, as *ye* suppose, for it is the third hour[8] of the day;

16  but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel[9],

17  And it shall be in the last days, saith God, that 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 elders shall dream with dreams;

18  yea, even upon my bondmen and upon my bondwomen in those days will I pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19  And I will give wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20  the sun shall be changed to darkness and the moon to blood, before the great and gloriously appearing day of the Lord come.

21  And it shall be that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22  Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazaraean, a man borne witness to by God to you by works of power and wonders and signs, which God wrought by him in your midst, as yourselves know

23  —him, given up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye, by the hand of lawless men , have crucified and slain.

24  Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death, inasmuch as it was not possible that he should be held by its power;

25  for David[10] says as to him, I foresaw the Lord continually before me, because he is at my right hand that I may not be moved.

26  Therefore has my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted; yea more, my flesh also shall dwell in hope,

27  for thou wilt not leave my soul in hades[11], nor wilt thou give thy gracious one to see corruption.

28  Thou hast made known to me the paths of life, thou wilt fill me with joy with thy countenance.

29  Brethren, let it be allowed to speak with freedom to you concerning the patriarch David, that he has both died and been buried, and his monument is amongst us unto this day.

30  Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, of the fruit of his loins to set upon his throne;[12]

31  he, seeing it before, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that neither has he been left in hades nor his flesh seen corruption.

32  This Jesus has God raised up, whereof all *we* are witnesses.

33  Having therefore been exalted by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which *ye* behold and hear.

34  For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he says himself, [13]The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand

35  until I have put thine enemies to be the footstool of thy feet.

36  Let the whole house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him, this Jesus whom *ye* have crucified, both Lord and Christ.[14]

37  And having heard it they were pricked in heart, and said to Peter and the other apostles, What shall we do, brethren?

38  And Peter said to them, Repent[15], and be baptised[16], each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ[17], for remission of sins, and ye will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39  For to you is the promise and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God may call.

40  And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation.

41  Those then who had accepted his word were baptised; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls.

42  And they persevered in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles, in breaking of bread and prayers.[18]

43  And fear was upon every soul, and many wonders and signs took place through the apostles’ means.

44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common,

45  and sold their possessions and substance, and distributed them to all, according as any one might have need.

46  And every day, being constantly in the temple with one accord, and breaking bread in the house, they received their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

47  praising God, and having favour with all the people; and the Lord added to the assembly daily those that were to be saved.

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[1] THE SIXTH DISPENSATION – GRACE/CHURCH.

The sixth dispensation is the dispensation of the Grace of God. It is also known as Church Age and it is the dispensation that we are currently under. The Church is distinct and separate from Israel. The Church is not Israel, and Israel is not the Church. Some of the characteristics of the Dispensation of Grace is that God’s grace is available to all people, and is dispensed to the whole world through the Church. During this dispensation Christ will build His Church and give the Church the responsibility of preaching the Gospel of God’s Grace to the ends of the earth. Another key aspect of this current dispensation is the fact that the Holy Spirit indwells with the Church which gives Christians the ability to live as Christ intended.

John 1:17 says, “For the law was given by Moses: grace and truth subsists through Jesus Christ.” The Dispensation of Grace began with the death and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 3:24-25, 4:24-25). In this dispensation there is no legal obedience as a condition of salvation. The testing in this dispensation is the acceptance or rejection of Christ as Lord and Saviour.

This dispensation is not tested as the others are. Certainly not failure and judgement but glory and victory. Grace has a twofold manifestation (1) In salvation (Rom. 3:24). (2) In the walk and service of Christians (Rom. 6:15). In this dispensation God speaks through His Son, to his holy Apostles and in the Scriptures.

[2] (2:1). Pentecost. This is the fourth annual feast of the Jews (after Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits). Pentecost comes 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits. This Day of Pentecost marks the beginning of the Church.

[3] (2:3). as of fire. Fire is often used to describe God’s presence and His power to purity.

[4] (2:4). THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

The Holy Spirit is revealed in Scripture as a divine Person of the Godhead. This truth is declared in John 14:17-26, 15:26, and 16:7-15. The Holy Spirit comes upon whom God’s wills. The Holy Spirit is received through prayer to God (Luke 11:13). The Holy Spirit came on the apostles and all believers (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit comes on those who believe in the Gospel of God (Acts 10:44). Every believer is born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-6) and is indwelt with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19, 1 John 2:27). Believers are baptised by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13 and 1 John 2:20-27). Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13, 4:30). Believers are baptised in the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13). The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance (Eph. 1:14).

1. The Holy Spirit in the Life of Christ. (a) His Conception. Matt. 1:18-20. (b) Baptism. Matt. 3:16. (c) Service. Luke 4:1-14. (d) Resurrection. Rom. 8:11. (e) Witness. John 15:26, 16:13-14.
2. Sins against the Holy Spirit. (a) To blaspheme. Matt. 12:31. (b) Resist. Acts 7:51. (c) Insult. Heb. 10:29. (d) To grieve by unrighteousness. Eph. 4:30-31. (e) To quench by unfaithfulness. 1 Thess. 5:19.
3. How the Holy Spirit Glorifies Christ. (a) Spirit illuminates. Luke 24:27. (b) Proclamation. Acts 1:8. (c) Spirit brings new life. John 3:5-8. (d) Sanctifies the believer. Rom. 8:29, 1 John 3:2.
4. Work of The Holy Spirit. (a) Comfort. John 12:26, 14:16, 15:25, 16:7. (b) Teacher. John 14:26, 1 Cor. 2:13. (c) Speaks. Acts. 8:29, 13:2. (d) Makes decisions. Acts. 15:28. (e) Grieves over sin. Eph. 4:30. (f) Overrules man’s actions. Acts 16:6-7. (g) Searches the deep things of God. 2 Cor. 2:10-11. (h) Determines the distribution of gifts. 1 Cor. 12:11. (i) Interprets and brings prayers to God. Rom. 8:26-27. (j) Assures believers. Rom. 8:16. (k) Bears witness of Christ. John 15:26, 16:14.
5. Symbols of the Holy Spirit (a) Water. John 7:38-39. (b) Fire. Acts 2:3. (c) Wind. John 3:8, Acts 2:2. (d) Dove. Matt. 3:16. (e) Oil. John 3:34, Heb. 1:9. (f) Cloud. Matt. 17:5. (g) Rain. Hos. 6:3. (h) Light. Rev. 4:5. (i) A seal. Eph 1:13, 4:30, 5:5.
6. The Sevenfold Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). (a) love. (b) joy. (c) peace. (d) patience. (e) kindness. (f) goodness. (g) faithfulness.

[5] (2:4). other tongues. Known languages. The early apostles were given the power to speak other languages so they could preach the Gospel to all people groups.

[6] (2:5). every nation of those under heaven. Jews made their way to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. Luke was using a figure of speech to show that Jews from all over the Mediterranean world came to Jerusalem. Luke did not mean every nation in a literal sense.

[7] (2:10). Romans sojourning here. The Romans were dwelling in Jerusalem at the time.

[8] (2:15). third hour. 9 A.M.

[9] (2:16). prophet Joel. See Joel 2:28-32. Peter uses the words of the prophet Joel to describe the events of Pentecost.

[10] (2:25). Peter quotes Psalm 16:8-11, a Psalm of David.

[11] (2:27). hades. A place which is out of sight and the dwelling place of the dead. In Luke 16:23 hades is associated with the doom and misery of the lost souls. The soul of David was left in the place of the dead. Christ was not left in the place of the dead, as He rose from the dead.

[12] (2:30). Peter reminds his hearers of the Davidic Covenant, whereby God promised that the Messiah of David’s line would reign forever (2 Sam. 7:14-15).

[13] (2:34). See Psalm 110:1.

[14] (2:36). Lord and Christ. Jesus is not only the Messiah sent from the Father He is Lord. Jesus is Lord and Christ.

[15] (2:38). Repent. The term “Repentance” in English is derived from the Greek word γένος (“metanoia-metanoeo”), which translates to “to have a different mind” or “to alter one’s mind.” In the New Testament, it signifies a shift in perspective regarding sin, God, and oneself. This mental shift can often be preceded by sorrow, particularly for Christians who have committed sins, as shown in 2 Corinthians 7:8-11. While sorrow for sin may lead to repentance, it is not repentance itself. The parable in Matthew 21:28-29 exemplifies genuine repentance, demonstrating a transformation in mind, will, and heart.

[16] (2:38). be baptised. In the Old Testament circumcision was a visible sign of being included in the covenant. In the New Testament baptism is a public sign of a person belonging to Christ. This verse encourages Christian people to be baptised, however, water baptism is not a necessary requirement for Christian salvation. Salvation is by faith alone. Christians are baptised because they are Christians, not to become a Christian or remain a Christian.

[17] (2:38). in the name of Jesus Christ. Baptism identifies a person with the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian people are to be baptised according to the authority of Jesus Christ.

[18] (2:42). breaking of bread and prayers. The apostles celebrated and observed the Lord’s Supper.