Acts (Written)

Saturday, 6 November 2021

But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: Acts 2:16

Note: You can listen to today’s introduction courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Peter just noted that those speaking in tongues were not drunk as it was supposed. Instead, he will now explain to the people what is happening. In order to do so, he will cite Scripture to back up the notion that this was something prophesied of, and thus fully in accord with the redemptive workings of God. As such, Luke records Peter’s words, saying, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.”

The words, “But this,” clearly and unambiguously refer to the coming of the Holy Spirit. This is denied by hyperdispenationalists, as if Peter’s words (which cite Joel) are referring solely to the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus. Saying this is, then, an attempt to deny that the church began at Pentecost and that what Joel prophesied of has nothing to do with the church age.

It is true that what occurs in Acts 2 is descriptive and is not normative for the church age. But what is described is clearly intended to demonstrate the fulfillment of the promise of the coming of the Spirit. This was exactly what Jesus was speaking of in John concerning the Comforter (also called the Helper), and in Luke where Jesus refers to “the Promise of My Father” –

“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49

Just because something occurs in Scripture, which is not normative for the church age, it does not mean it does not apply to the church age. The church age had to begin at some point. When it did, it began with evidences of its fulfillment.

The events of Acts 2 are those evidences. The continued giving of the Spirit in a demonstrable way in Acts 8, 10, and 19 are to show that the message of the apostles Peter and Paul is the same message. The recipients of the demonstrations (Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles, and again Jews) confirms that this is so.

Understanding this, Peter will cite a passage from Joel 2. It will not be a direct citation of either the Hebrew or the Greek, though it will more closely follow the Greek. However, the intent of what is stated by Peter is clearly understood to be the fulfillment of what Joel prophesied.

The words of Joel will be evaluated as they are cited. Many of them are clearly to be fulfilled in the end times, not in Acts 2. As with many prophecies uttered in Scripture, and even by Jesus Himself, they will take a “mountain view” perspective. When one looks at a mountain range, it is all one thing to the mind’s eye. However, if one focuses on a single mountain, it will come into focus. Then looking at another mountain further in the distance, that mountain will come into focus.

The same is true with prophecy. Joel and the other prophets would see visions that comprise events with long time frames between them. Such is the case with Joel 2, and as it is then relayed to the people in Acts 2 by Peter. The particular verses from Joel state –

“And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
²⁹ And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
³⁰ “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
³¹ The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
³² And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the Lord has said,
Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.” Joel 2:28-32

Life application: Peter is speaking to Israel alone at this time. His words are words of prophesy that pertain to Israel, both in the immediate sense (Acts 2) and in the future (the tribulation period). This is because the New Covenant was given to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah (see Jeremiah 31:31).

The New Covenant was brought forth in Christ’s blood (see Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25, and etc.). However, this does not mean that the gospel that brings a person into the New Covenant relationship is different for Jews and for Gentiles. This is an error in thinking and a heretical doctrine.

Promises to Israel do not mean the Gentiles are excluded. It means that Israel the nation bears a promise as a collective whole. These promises are inclusive of individual Jews (obviously, because a nation is made up of individuals), but they are also inclusive of individual Gentiles who are brought into the commonwealth of Israel (see Ephesians 2:12).

This is important to understand and cannot be repeated enough. What occurred in Acts 2 is spoken to Israel and applies to Israel, and yet it is describing the establishment of a body of people that is inclusive of every Jew and Gentile that has come into that body since this Pentecost event.

Remember the key points of doctrine – Is this descriptive? Is this prescriptive? What is the context? What is the context? What is the context? And then, when you have determined these things, remind yourself that everything that is descriptive is not necessarily normative. In this, you will avoid many sad bumps on your road, and you will not be diverted down either Apostasy Avenue or the Heresy Highway.

Lord God, thank You for how You have presented Your word. You tell us of wonderful events that have occurred, and You confirmed those events with signs and wonders when they came to pass. After that, You have asked Your people to have faith in what was presented, leaving the choice up to us to accept that You are still working among us, even without those demonstrations. Thus, You surely place a high value on our faith. Thank You for this honor. Amen.

Friday, 5 November 2021

For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. Acts 2:15

Note: You can listen to today’s introduction courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

With the accusation that the disciples were simply “full of new wine,” Peter stood up to defend against their words. The previous verse noted that his address was to those of Judea and who dwell in Jerusalem. It is to them he says, “For these are not drunk.”

The verb is present tense. One might say, “these are not drunken,” “these are not inebriated,” or “these are not filled with intoxication.” What is being seen is not a state of being overcome by sweet wine at all. Peter is obviously referring to all of the disciples and not merely the eleven who stood with him. More than twelve languages and dialects were spoken, meaning that it was all of them who gathered, and all of them were being accused of joining in a big party of reveling. As Peter next says, “as you suppose.”

The supposition may have been that they were following along with the custom of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord, as directed by Moses in Deuteronomy 14, as they ate and drank their tithes in His presence. And from that night of fun, they just kept on going into the next day. This would probably not be uncommon, and so the charge leveled against them would be something as simple as, “Boy, they’ve been partying all night and they are still going strong.”

The gathering at the pilgrim feasts was a time to unwind, greet old friends and meet new ones, and to also enjoy dancing and singing. However, Peter next says that what they suppose is, at least for them, flawed thinking. He says, “since it is only the third hour of the day.”

The third hour is 9am in the morning. The synoptic gospels present the timing of the day in this fashion. For example, Mark records the hour of the crucifixion as 9am –

“Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. ²⁶ And the inscription of His accusation was written above:
THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Mark 15:25, 26

Mark then goes on to say that when the sixth hour came there was darkness until the ninth hour. That corresponds with Luke’s account as well –

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵ Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:44-46

Luke records Peter’s words which state that this is the same hour of the day, the third hour, or 9 am. Peter says that this is not the hour for being drunk. Rather, what is occurring is something entirely different. Several verses follow this line of thinking. First, Isaiah shows that those who follow the practice of early morning drinking are living in futility because that sets the tone for the entire day and into the night –

“Woe to those who rise early in the morning,
That they may follow intoxicating drink;
Who continue until night, till wine inflames them!” Isaiah 5:11

Later, Paul will clearly indicate that those who get drunk do so at night. His words do not mean that people don’t get drunk during the day. People drink whenever they drink. Rather, he is equating being drunk to spiritual slumber. Night is then equated with not being spiritually alert –

“Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 7

Paul is using a general theme to set a principle concerning being alert. It is a thought that he presents to those at Corinth concerning the Lord’s Supper –

“For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. ²² What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.” 1 Corinthians 11:21, 22

He uses the same word, translated as “drunk” that Peter now uses. Paul tells them that if they want to imbibe, to do so at home. Church attendance is to be a time of sobriety and alertness. This is the thought also conveyed by Peter. “We are not drunk! It is the morning, and we are all perfectly alert.” With that understood, he will continue his discourse.

Life application: There is a time and a season for all things. The Lord set the pilgrim feasts as a time of rejoicing and partaking in the abundance of what He had provided for the people. For the believers at this feast, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The demonstration of the Spirit was something that was to alert the people of Israel to the finished work of Christ and that something new and extraordinary was happening.

And this should be the same for those who come to Christ even today. There should be a change in mind, in direction, and in hope. It should be evident to all around that something extraordinary has happened. Obviously, spiritual highs cannot last forever, but there should be an increased maturity in each person as he continues his walk in Christ.

The outward display of tongues was a sign to Israel. The change in the believer’s life should be a sign to those around him as well. Let us be set apart to the Lord so that those around us see the difference and then want to know what it is that makes us different. Paul says –

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:18-21).

In this, we will be proper examples to others of the change that has taken place in our lives.

Heavenly Father, may we make the most of our time, bringing glory and honor to Your name through our conduct. Not everyone considers the importance of a relationship with You. But there are times when the lives of others fall apart. It is during those times that they will look for answers. When that happens, may they remember our conduct and come to us to find out about the hope we possess. So, Lord, help us to live rightly now and always for when such times arise. Amen.

Thursday, 4 November 2021

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. Acts 2:14

Note: You can listen to today’s introduction courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The disciples were just accused of being full of new wine. In other words, they were thought to be drunk and were simply talking in gibberish. However, Luke describes what next took place, saying, “But Peter.”

As is customary with Peter, he takes the lead in what happens. In this case, he is prepared to address the crowd. As such, Luke notes his action as “standing up with the eleven.” The verb is aorist and indicates they stood first (“having stood”) and then Peter began to speak for all of them. This is probably to counter what was just said about them being drunk. When all stood, it shows that they are all clearly sober rather than swaying or falling down. As a side note, these words also are a confirmation that the selection of Matthias was fully accepted by the Lord, he being counted among the eleven. With this, it next says that Peter “raised his voice.”

In raising his voice, it will be clearly heard. As such, what he says will reflect the state of his mind, whether sober or drunk. If his words had no slurring or elongation of the vowels, they could no longer claim he was full of sweet wine. Luke is carefully describing what occurred in order to reveal what is going on. With his voice lifted up, it next says, “and said to them.”

The translation leaves a void in what is going on. It should say something like, “he spoke forth to them,” or something more distinct like that. It is the same word introduced in Acts 2:4, apophtheggomai, where it was translated as “utterance,” meaning of the Holy Spirit. As noted then, the word refers to a clear and plain enunciation, a declaration, and a speaking forth. The words are clearly conveyed, perfectly understood, and have precise meaning. The word will be used one more time when describing what Paul says in Acts 26:25 –

“But he said, ‘I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.’”

Luke, who authored Acts, uses this word to indicate that Peter is speaking clearly and intelligibly, and he is tying the utterance of the Spirit of verse 2:4 to what Peter is saying now. Peter is being given the proper words to utter forth (and this will be clearly seen in his discourse) in order to defend the truth of what has occurred in Christ, and what is continuing to occur in fulfillment of Scripture.

With this understood, the words of Peter are next recorded, saying, “Men of Judea.” The Greek literally reads, “Men, Jews.” Thus, this is probably not simply referring to those of Judea (remember that “Judea” was listed along with all of the other categories in verses 2:9-11). Rather, this is speaking to all of the people there, gathered from everywhere that was mentioned. They are all jointly termed “Men, Jews.” With that stated, Peter then includes those who are the most local of all, saying, “and all who dwell in Jerusalem.” This would then be an all-inclusive statement regarding everyone within earshot which would be inclusive of the strangers and the proselytes. Whoever could hear the voice of Peter is being called to attend to his words. With this understood, he next says, “let this be known to you.”

What he will say is something that can be understood, even if the previous words could not be. Only the one who spoke the particular language or dialect could perceive what was said through the tongues, but what will now be said is something that would be perfectly clear and stated with purpose. Peter’s words call for attention. But more, the verse finishes with, “and heed my words.”

Here is a word found only this once in Scripture, enótizomai. It is an aorist verb in the middle voice signifying “to take into one’s ear.” As such, it means to listen attentively. The Spirit had uttered, and the people had listened to the sound, claiming it was the result of too much wine. On the contrary, this was to be a discourse that should be taken into the ear and carefully evaluated in the brain once it was there. Everything about Luke’s description of this verse is exceedingly detailed to bring forth a clear understanding of what occurred at the time.

Life application: Even if you don’t understand the original languages that the Bible was written in, it is still a good practice to do word studies when possible, to find unusual or unique words used there. In becoming familiar with these, one can then attempt to think through why a particular word is used at a particular time, and then how that may then tie into other times the word is used. Or, if it is used only once, it may highlight the need to think through why that word was used at all.

This is not a necessary thing to do, but it is something that will help the student of the Bible to at least grow in knowledge and understanding. At the same time, we shouldn’t leap to unjustifiable conclusions about words in order to form our own doctrines or to line things up with our own presuppositions. This is an easy thing to do, and so we need to be careful to not do so.

In the end, it is good to follow along with word studies that have been evaluated by scholars before us, read commentaries on verses and passages by those who have come to their own conclusions, and then we should think on what we have read without simply accepting their evaluations at face value. Do everything with the mindset that this is the word of God, that He has a reason for everything that is included in it, and that you will do your best to evaluate it without inserting biases into the word. Instead, attempt to draw out the intended meaning from it.

Heavenly Father, Your word is precious and it has set meaning and intent. Help us to not insert our own presuppositions into it, but to draw out from it the meaning that You intend to be conveyed. Give us the mind to seek You with all our heart and soul through meditation on Your word. May it fill us with Your wisdom, O God. Amen.

Wednesday, 3 November 2021

Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2:13

Note: You can listen to today’s introduction courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Those who heard the Spirit speak in their own tongues were “amazed and perplexed.” They struggled to understand what was happening. However, Luke now continues, referring to “Others.”

These would probably be those who were from, and dwelt in, Jerusalem itself. They would hear the languages, and either not perceive the subtle differences in dialect (such as those from various areas of Judea noted in verse 2:9), or would think the other languages were simply gibberish. Of these would probably be the scribes and Pharisees and others who spent much of their time in Jerusalem. Without grasping the magnitude of the event occurring before them, and thinking it was all a put on, they were “mocking.”

The word is found only here and in Acts 17:32. It properly means “to joke.” As such, it speaks of using barbed humor and jeers that mocks others. With this attitude, they “said, ‘They are full of new wine.’”

In these words, is a word found only here in Scripture, gleukos. It is a word akin to glukus, meaning “sweet.” One can immediately see the basis of the word glucose. Thus, this is a type of sweet wine which uses fresh juice, but with a high level of sugars making it easy to drink copiously and thus it would be highly inebriating. It is probably akin to the wine made today by Manischewitz.

In other words, these “others” are saying that the disciples were all drunk and simply talking nonsensical gibberish. As they were at a pilgrim feast, this would probably not be all that uncommon. Drinking alcohol was not only an acceptable part of rejoicing at these feasts, it was specifically referred to as something completely expected of them. The Lord, through Moses, says this in Deuteronomy 14 –

“And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.” Deuteronomy 14:26

Moses, speaking of the times when the people ate their tithes – which was during the pilgrim feasts – refers to two separate intoxicants: yayin, or fermented (alcohol based) wine, and shekar, or highly intoxicating liquor. It is this allowance for the rejoicing of the pilgrims that the “others” of this verse thought was the basis for what was occurring. Hence, they were mocking the pilgrims as would be common at any such gathering when such visitors couldn’t hold their drink.

Life application: This is a descriptive verse. It prescribes nothing. But what it describes is the assumed conduct of pilgrims to Jerusalem by some who saw their speaking in tongues. A miracle was taking place. And yet, they did not perceive it as such. This is what Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians –

“In the law it is written:
‘With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,’
says the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 14:21

Those who mocked heard, but they did not “hear.” It will take explaining to them the magnitude and meaning of what was being done before them. This is what will occur in the verses ahead. Until then, a couple things of interest can be considered from the evaluation of this short verse.

First, it was common and acceptable for the pilgrims to drink alcohol at the pilgrim feasts (when the tithes were eaten). The common teaching that the Jews only drank wine cut by water so that it was highly diluted is not true. Moses’ words in the law concerning the allowances at the pilgrim feasts, when the people came to eat their tithes, is explicit and it is easily understood. They were to enjoy the eating of their tithes in the presence of the Lord and to do so with the blessing of fermented drink. As the psalm says, “Wine that gladdens the heart of man” (Psalm 104:15, BSB).

Secondly, it is quite evident that, for whatever reason, some who saw the miraculous tongues being spoken did not understand. As it was the Pharisees and other leaders that purposefully had Christ crucified, it may be that they were denied understanding the miraculous nature of what occurred in order to cause them to consider the miracle differently than the others. This is speculation, but even after having what occurred openly explained, it is quite apparent throughout the rest of Acts that there were many who did not believe and who continued to work against the early church.

Let us be careful to hear the word when it is spoken, and then let us apply it to our lives. If we hear the word and don’t understand it, let us think on it, search for an answer in a reliable commentary or from a trusted scholar, and then let us continue to consider its meaning. May we never mock the word that is heard but respond to it with care – applying its precepts to our lives.

Lord God, Your word is precious. Thank You for it. Fill us with the desire to read it and contemplate its truths all the days of our lives. Amen.

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Acts 2:12

Note: You can listen to today’s introduction courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

With his list of the many places where the pilgrims had come from, and of which all of them heard the disciples express “the wonderful work of God” in their own language and dialect, Luke next notes, “So they were all amazed and perplexed.”

The word translated as “amazed” is the same as was just used in verse 2:7. It signifies “to put out of place.” They were still unable to grasp what was happening. That state leads to the state of perplexity. The word translated as “perplexed” is only used by Luke, in Luke 9:7 and then three times in Acts. It gives the sense of being completely baffled or confused. It is the state when a person goes through every option, trying to find a solution to a matter, and no resolution comes forth. In this confused state, they were “saying to one another, ‘Whatever could this mean?’”

In their amazement, and in their inability to properly deduce the reason for what they were hearing, the question is obvious. When you can’t think something through yourself, you submit your question to others, hoping they will have a suitable answer.

Life application: It is in our nature to question the world around us. Johannes Kepler said that science is thinking God’s thoughts after Him. At times we will be confounded by something and go through a process of trying to determine what is happening. But in our thinking, we can make various kinds of errors.

Errors in thinking are known as fallacies. A fallacy is a mistaken idea or belief that is based on an unsound argument. Our minds follow certain paths of thinking that may not be logical. This is normally not intentional. Rather, we are not generally born with the skill of thinking critically. That must be developed.

At times, we may not understand something and so we will ascribe it to the miraculous, or to the providence of God. An example of this is when scientists see something highly unusual in their field of study that has no reasonable explanation. It is something that doesn’t fit any known scientific model. As such, they ascribe it to proof that God exists. This is known as the “God of the gaps” perspective. Something is happening, it is inexplicable by any other means, and therefore it must be God purposefully making it happen.

Unfortunately, this type of thinking can lead to real problems because someone will later come along and find a rational explanation for the event. When this happens, those who ascribed the gap to having been filled by God, have now become an embarrassment.

However, the exact opposite can occur as well. God (if He exists – and there is every reason to believe He does) is not incapable of doing the miraculous. For example, He may tell us about the future through prophecy. But some will dismiss any possibility of this happening. They are doing the exact opposite of the “God of the gaps” crowd by dismissing the hand of God in a matter that is clearly set forth by God.

For the Christian, we must be sound in our thinking in both directions. We must be careful to not ascribe to God something that is happening simply because we don’t understand it, or because someone says it is so. False tongues of Charismatics are such an example. However, we should not deny the hand of God when it is reasonably discernible that He has purposefully done something. Creation is such a thing. The giving of predictive prophecy (and the Bible is a book of predictive prophecy) is another.

And yet, not all predictive prophecy is of God. False prophets make claims all the time, even saying that what they submit is based on an evaluation of the Bible. Therefore, we must be extremely careful as we evaluate what God has done, is doing, and would/will do. Everything must be evaluated in accord with His nature and with a right application of His word.

If someone predicts the rapture, you can ignore him. Jesus clearly said in Acts 1 that we are not going to know the timing of such things. We may have a general idea of how the world is heading, but that is a logical evaluation based on what Scripture says about such things which can then be applied to our surroundings. However, this does not mean we can then pinpoint set events, like the rapture, that we have been told we will not know.

Be wise, be circumspect, and be willing to acknowledge that you don’t know everything, and neither does the guy who claims he does. Know-it-alls will get their comeuppance in due time.

Lord God, give us wisdom to look at the world around us in a rational and clear mind frame, knowing that Your hand created it, and so what will happen is logical and orderly. And yet, help us to never dismiss the miraculous if You choose to do something extraordinary for the benefit of Your people that is in accord with Your nature and Your word. Help us to have the mind that You are sovereign and that You will bring about the good end that You have promised us in whatever way You determine. Amen.