Chapter 2

And when the days of Pentecost were drawing to a close, they were all together in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

And there appeared to them parted tongues as of fire, which settled upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Holy Spirit prompted them to speak.

Now there were staying at Jerusalem devout Jews from every nation under heaven.

And when this sound was heard, the multitude gathered and were bewildered in mind, because each heard them speaking in his own language.

But they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, "Behold, are not all these that are speaking Galileans?

And how have we heard each his own language in which he was born?

Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,

Jews also and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we have heard them speaking in our own languages of the wonderful works of God."

And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean? "

But others said in mockery, "They are full of new wine." Peter's Discourse

But Peter, standing up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them: "Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

These men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day.

But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says the Lord, that I will pour forth my Spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

And moreover upon my servants and upon my handmaids in those days will I pour forth of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy,

And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth beneath, blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day.

And it shall come to pass That whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. '

"Men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved by God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did through him in the midst of you, as you yourselves know.

Him, when delivered up by the settled purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have crucified and slain by the hands of wicked men.

But God has raised him up, having loosed the sorrows of hell, because it was not possible that he should be held fast by it.

For David says with reference to him, 'I saw the Lord before me always, because he is at my right hand, lest I be moved.

This is why my heart has made merry and my tongue has rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope,

because thou wilt not abandon my soul to hell, neither wilt thou let thy Holy One undergo decay.

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou wilt fill me with joy in thy presence. '

"Brethren, let me say to you freely of the patriarch David that he both died, and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this very day.

Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God 'had sworn to him with an oath that of the fruit of his loins one should sit upon his throne, '

he, foreseeing it, spoke of the resurrection of the Christ. For neither was he abandoned to hell, nor did his flesh undergo decay.

This Jesus God has raised up, and we are all witnesses of it.

Therefore, exalted by the right hand of God, and receiving from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this Spirit which you see and hear.

For David did not ascend into heaven, but he says himself, 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand,

until I make thy enemies thy footstool. '

"Therefore, let all the house of Israel know most assuredly that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." The Result

Now on hearing this they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do? "

But Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For to you is the promise and to your children and to all who are far off, even to all whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

And with very many other words he bore witness, and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this perverse generation."

Now they who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Fervor of the Early Church

And they continued steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles and in the communion of the breaking of the bread and in the prayers.

And fear came upon every soul; many wonders also and signs were done by means of the apostles in Jerusalem, and great fear came upon all.

And all who believed were together and held all things in common,

and would sell their possessions and goods and distribute them among all according as anyone had need.

And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread in their houses, they took their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

praising God and being in favor with all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their company such as were to be saved.