The Coming of the Holy Spirit

1When the day of Pentecost was being celebrated,a all of them were together in one place. 2Suddenly, a sound like the roar of a mighty windstorm came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw tongues like flamesb of fire that separated, and one rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreignc languages as the Spirit gave them that ability.

5Now devout Jews from every nation on earthd were living in Jerusalem. 6When that sound came, a crowd quickly gathered, startled because each one heard the disciplese speaking in his own language. 7Stunned and amazed, they asked, “All of these people who are speaking are Galileans, aren’t they? 8So how is it that each one of us hears them speaking in his own native language:f 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the district of Libya near Cyrene, Jewish and proselyte visitors from Rome, 11Cretans, and Arabs, listening to them talk in our own languages about the great deeds of God?”

12All of them continued to be stunned and puzzled, and they kept asking one another, “What can this mean?”

13But others kept saying in derision, “They’re drunk on sweet wine!”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14Then Peter stood up among the eleven apostlesg and raised his voice to address them:

“Men of Judea and everyone living in Jerusalem! You must understand something, so pay close attention to my words. 15These men are not drunk as you suppose, for it’s only nine o’clock in the morning.h 16Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17‘In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on everyone.i

Your sons and your daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

and your old men will dream dreams.

18In those days I will even pour out my Spirit

on my slaves, men and women alike,

and they will prophesy.

19I will display wonders in the sky above

and signs on the earth below:

blood, fire, and clouds of smoke.

20The sun will become dark,

and the moon turn to blood,

before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord.j

21Then whoever calls on the name of the Lordk will be saved.’l

22“Fellow Israelis, listen to these words: Jesus from Nazarethm was a man authenticated to you by God through miracles, wonders, and signs that God performed through him among you, as you yourselves know. 23After he was arrested according to the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified this very man and killed him using the hands of lawless men. 24But God raised him up and put an end to suffering of death,n since it was impossible for him to be held by it, 25since David says about him,

‘I always keep my eyes on the Lord,o

for he is at my right hand

so that I cannot be shaken.

26That is why my heart is glad

and my tongue rejoices,

yes, even my body still rests securely in hope.

27For you will not abandon my soul to Hadesp

or allow your Holy One to experience decay.

28You have made the ways of life known to me,

and you will fill me with gladness in your presence.’q

29“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and that his tomb is among us to this day. 30Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him with an oath to put one of his descendants on his throne, 31he looked ahead and spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah:r

‘He was not abandoned to Hades,s

and his flesh did not experience decay.’t

32“It was this very Jesus whom God raised—and we’re all witnesses of that. 33He has been exalted to the right hand of God, has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit,u and has caused you to experience what you are seeing and hearing. 34After all, David did not go up to heaven, but he said,

‘The Lordv told my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

35until I make your enemies your footstool.”’w

36“Therefore, let all the peoplex of Israel understand beyond a doubt that God made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!”y

37When the crowd that had gatheredz heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38Peter answered them, “Every one of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiahaa for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.bb 39For this promise belongs to you and your children, as well as to all those who are distant, whom the Lord our God may call to himself.”

40Using many different expressions, Petercc continued to testify and to plead: “Be saved,” he urged them, “from this corrupt generation!” 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized. That day about 3,000 people were added to their number.

Life among the Believers

42The believersdd continued to devote themselves to what the apostles were teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to times of prayer.ee 43A sense of fearff came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All the believers were united and shared everything with one another.gg 45They made it their practice to sell their possessions and goods and to distribute the proceedshh to anyone who was in need. 46United in purpose, they went to the Temple every day, ate at each other’s homes, and shared their food with glad and humble hearts. 47They were praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people. Every day the Lord was adding to their number those who were being saved.