Acts 2:4 - Printer Friendly

What does Acts 2:4 mean?

ESV: And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

NIV: All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

NASB: And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.

CSB: Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

NLT: And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

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

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

Verse Commentary:

Immediately before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His followers to wait in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4–5). That time has come, and the Holy Spirit has entered the house where they're waiting and touched each one with what appears to be a tongue of fire (Acts 2:1–3).

The Holy Spirit is giving the Jesus-followers the ability to speak in different languages about the "mighty works of God" (Acts 2:11). Jerusalem is filled with Jews from many different countries who have come for Pentecost, also known as the Festival of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15–21). Not all of them speak the same language. The purpose of the apostles is to spread the message that Jesus' sacrifice makes it possible for people to be forgiven of their sins and reconciled to God. To do this on this day, they need to be able to be understood by the people around them.

Two thousand years later, in a culture that analyzes theology—and sometimes over-analyzes theology—this verse brings up two points of debate: the difference between being indwelt by the Holy Spirit vs. being filled by the Holy Spirit and the nature of "speaking in tongues."

Until this very moment, the Holy Spirit did not indwell God-followers. He filled them as needed to complete unique missions as prepared for them by God. Some were inspired by the Spirit to accomplish great feats of art (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), some to prophesy (Micah 3:8). John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament-era prophets, was filled with the Spirit from before his birth (Luke 1:15), which was how he recognized Jesus when both were still in the womb (Luke 1:41–44). The filling of the Holy Spirit was temporary and didn't necessarily happen only to perfectly-clean, committed believers: for example, King Saul was filled for a short time and even prophesied (1 Samuel 10:10–11).

After Jesus ascended to heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit to permanently indwell each believer. He seals us, identifying us as belonging to God (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:13–14). And Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will never leave us (John 14:16). Those of us who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit can also experience the filling of the Holy Spirit, as people did in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit filled Stephen so he could face his death (Acts 7:55–60). Paul was filled on occasion (Acts 9:17; 13:9) and told us that we should seek to be, as well (Ephesians 5:18). But whether we are filled with the Holy Spirit or not, Jesus-followers can rest in the fact that He does live in us.

The more controversial issue brought up in this verse is that of speaking in tongues. Some Christians believe tongues are a heavenly language by which we talk to God without knowing what we're saying. Others think it is a way God prophesies to others through us, although it will take someone to interpret for people to understand the words. This passage gives a clear indication, however, that "real" speaking in tongues means spontaneously talking in a foreign language so those who need to hear the message can understand what we're saying. It is not gibberish, is targeted at someone who understands that speech, and it's useless if there's no one there who can translate or understand that language.

Devout followers of Christ often differ in their understanding of "tongues." The issue is not essential for salvation or the forgiveness of sins. We are free to disagree and live in unity in God's universal church.

Acts 2:1–13 finds Jesus' followers waiting in a house in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit, as Jesus instructed (Acts 1:4, 12–15). The Holy Spirit comes, not only establishing His presence in each individual permanently, but equipping them as needed to spread the news that Jesus forgives sins and reconciles sinners to God. Jews from all over the Roman Empire, in Jerusalem for Pentecost, hear the message in their own languages. Some are derisive, but others are very interested in what the apostles are saying.

Chapter Summary:

Acts 2 describes the beginning of the church in three episodes. First, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem, equipping them with the ability to teach the gospel in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Second, Peter gives a public declaration using Old Testament prophecy to show Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Acts 2:14–36). Third, people believe. They repent, trust Jesus will forgive their sins, and agree to be baptized as a public sign that they are now Jesus-followers (Acts 2:37–47). That quickly, the church is born.

Chapter Context:

Acts 2 describes the creation of Jesus' church. Forty days after Jesus' resurrection He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). One hundred and twenty disciples obeyed His command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 2–15). In Acts 2, they receive the Holy Spirit and share the gospel with a crowd of people who have come to celebrate Pentecost. Three thousand believe, and the church comes to life. In the following chapters, Jesus-followers fulfill Jesus' promise that they will be His witnesses ''in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'' (Acts 1:8).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.

Accessed 5/5/2024 11:55:57 PM