Acts 2:40 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

NIV: With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.'

NASB: And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation!'

CSB: With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, "Be saved from this corrupt generation! "

NLT: Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, 'Save yourselves from this crooked generation!'

KJV: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

NKJV: And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

Earlier this very morning, the church was born as the Holy Spirit came to indwell 120 of Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, giving them the ability to speak in foreign languages and dialects (Acts 2:1–4). A large crowd of faithful Jews and proselytes from as far away as Rome, Libya, and Mesopotamia hear the Jesus-followers and are astonished (Acts 2:5–13). Peter explains that Jesus of Nazareth, who the Jewish nation condemned and executed, is the Messiah sent by God. Even more, He was resurrected by God and offers forgiveness and life to those who believe in Him (Acts 2:14–38).

Now, one of the basic tenets of the church is being established: that the church is a place where those more knowledgeable about Jesus teach those who are younger in the faith. As a result of the work of the Holy Spirit, as He empowers Peter's words, three thousand members of the crowd will call on Jesus' name and be saved (Acts 2:41). Many will stay in Jerusalem and create a new community dedicated to "the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42).

"Bore witness" is from the Greek root word diamartyromai and means "to attest to and confirm a message." "Exhort" is from the Greek root word parakaleō, and means "to encourage someone to take action." This is closely related to the word Paraklētos, used by Jesus when referring to the Holy Spirit as a "helper" (John 14:16). The message of Jesus requires a response, and the response cannot come without the message (Romans 10:14).

Jesus had also declared that the generation is crooked (Matthew 17:17). The scribes make great shows to gain respect but turn around and act cruelly to the vulnerable (Mark 12:38–40). The people kill the prophets that would lead them into God's presence (Matthew 23:37). And all of Matthew 23 is a list of sins the Pharisees and scribes commit against God. Most of all, the Jewish leaders don't believe Jesus is the Son of God come to save them. But Jesus offers people an escape. No one is condemned to follow their culture or leaders in rejecting Jesus. Everyone is invited to repent of their sins and turn to God. It is why Jesus sent His disciples (Acts 1:8), and why all His followers are included in the Great Commission to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).

Acts 2:37–41 shows the first mass influx of people into the church. Men in Jerusalem for Pentecost from across the Roman Empire and beyond are startled to find 120 Galileans speaking their native languages (Acts 2:1–13). Peter uses passages from Joel and Psalms to support his points on several ideas: that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Jews had Him killed, God raised Him from the dead, and His resurrection provides hope of forgiveness for His followers (Acts 2:14–36). The crowd is stunned and reacts in the only logical way possible, asking, ''What shall we do?'' (Acts 2:37). Peter explains their need for salvation, and thousands respond.

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.

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.