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Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one main subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. This is the first sermon of the New Age. Notice the OT quotes and allusions in Acts 2. Peter is preaching to Jews from all over the Mediterranean world. The Scriptures he chooses reflect Jesus' teachings of the two on the road to Emmaus (cf. Luk_24:21-32) and His post-resurrection visits with the disciples (cf. Luk_24:45).
1. Act_2:16-21 – Joe_2:28-32
2. Act_2:25-28 – Psa_16:8-11
3. Act_2:30 – an allusion to 2Sa_7:11-16 and Psa_89:34 or Psa_132:11
4. Act_2:34-35 – Psa_110:1
B. The fulfillment of Joel's eschatological prophecy is a physical manifestation that the judgment of God that withdrew His Spirit from Israel after Malachi (or the author of Chronicles) is over! The Spirit has returned in Great Commission power and purpose!
C. The confusion of languages from the Tower of Babel (cf. Genesis 11) is now reversed (at least symbolically). The New Age has begun.
D. For now the "tongues" of Acts are different from the tongues of Corinth. There is no need for an interpreter. The message is exclusively evangelistic.
Tongues in Acts are for believing Jews to recognize that God has accepted a new racial/geographical group of people into the Kingdom (i.e., Samaritans, Romans, etc.).
The Corinthian tongues fit the cultural model of the Delphi Oracle. They address God not humans (cf. 1Co_14:2). They edify the speaker (cf. 1Co_14:4). Please do not take these observations as negative in any sense to the Corinthian model (cf. 1Co_14:5; 1Co_14:18). I believe it is still an ongoing spiritual gift. However, because of the questions of 1Co_12:28-29, which expect a "no" answer, they are not for every believer! See full notes on the subject at 1 Corinthians 12, 14 at hyperlink
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Outline Peter's sermon
2. What was the purpose of Pentecost?
3. How did Joel's prophecy relate to this context?
4. Describe Peter's use of Old Testament passages.