v1-4: The apostles, and those with them, remain in Jerusalem, as commanded. This dramatic event is described in dramatic language, full of emphasis and expression. The Holy Spirit has worked through Jesus (1.2), has spoken through David (1.16), and He now works in and through the apostles. There are signs of His presence; rushing mighty wind, forked tongues of fire, speaking in tongues; signs of the new covenant in Christ. We share the same reality, although we may not share the same signs; John 20.29, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

There is fulfilment of the spring feasts;

• The Passover, bringing redemption; Unleavened Bread, demonstrating Christ's perfection; speaking together of Christ giving His life;
• First fruits, the resurrection, 1 Cor 15.20;
• Pentecost; Lev 23.11, 16; Deut 16.11; the day after the sabbath, the eighth day, speaking also of resurrection. Two loaves brought as an offering, speaking of Jew and Gentile, v39; Eph 2.14-15.

The natural is made spiritual; Judaism changed to Christianity; the power of God is demonstrated, and the vehicle is the church of Jesus Christ. Just as crucifixion and resurrection are unrepeatable, so is Pentecost; each Jewish Feast is fulfilled once and completely in the new day.

‘For, as the worshippers were in the Temple, probably just as they were offering the wave-lambs and the wave-bread, the multitude heard that sound from heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind, which drew them to hear every man in his own language the wonderful works of God. And on that Pentecost day, from the harvest of first-fruits, not less than three thousand souls added to the Church were presented as a wave-offering to the Lord.’ (Alfred Edersheim, The Temple, its Ministry and Service)

v5: Jews from every nation; the requirement of the law, that they attend certain feasts. Further, a fulfilment of the later promise of a multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, Rev 7.9.

v6: Each one heard the Christians "speaking in his own language." Compare Is 28.11, where tongues are given as a judgment upon unbelieving Jews. John Piper comments, "But that does not mean that the diversity of languages was a curse that would need to be reversed in the age to come." (Let the Nations be Glad, page 197, footnote.)

v7-11: Amazed and marvelled; they struggle to understand what they are witnessing. Luke mentions numerous places where Jews come from; and these include Jews by descent and proselytes (converts to Judaism).

v12: What does this mean? A genuine desire from some to understand a difficult thing.

v13: Others mocked; whilst a blind acceptance of everything new thing is not wise, mockery is also not commended.

v14-15: Peter, as leader of the group, stands up to address the crowd. He seems not to have had preparation for his message. He addresses the Jews with proper respect; compare 7.1; 13.16.

Peter picks up the mockery, and seeks to answer that, and to provide an explanation of what is happening.

v16: Peter does not claim that the Scripture is being fulfilled; contrast the wording of Matt 1.22-23; 2.15; Luke 4.17-21, although some of what Joel prophesied does happen; there is a later fulfilment to follow.

v17-18: Prophecies, visions, dreams; all occur in Acts, as God pours out His Spirit on His servants, see v33. Should we not see more evidence of this in our lives and our churches? Peter actually changes Joel’s word ‘afterwards’ with his phrase, ‘in the last days, says God.’ He thereby emphasizes God’s continuing prophetic utterances and fulfilments.

v19-21: Looking forward, Matt 24.29-30, to signs on the earth; Is 8.18; Rev 11.

v22: Peter's message, addressed to "men of Israel," as in v14; later he says "brothers," v29, and see v37. He quotes OT Scriptures, and refers explicitly to the patriarch David. But he speaks of "Jesus of Nazareth," set apart, anointed by God, a ministry marked by miracles; and His life, Peter insists, was witnessed both by Peter and his friends, but also by those Jews he is addressing, "as you yourselves know."

v23: Christ's death, long planned by God, yet men are responsible for His death, "You ... put Him to death." Peter addresses some who had seen the crucifixion, and doubtless many more know of the recent events. Although certain things are fore-ordained by God, men remain responsible for their unbelief, and the actions that flow from that unbelief.

v24: The resurrection had to happen; it was not possible that Jesus could have been held by death. His victory over death demonstrates His perfect righteousness, and His deity.

v25-28: Peter quotes Ps 16.8-11, referring to Christ's resurrection. His soul was not left in Hades, the Holy One of God did not see corruption. Only now, through resurrection, is there real life and real joy; such is the earthly inheritance of those who trust in Christ.

v29: "Confidently," or freely, boldly, frankly, clearly; Peter declares without doubt or ambiguity. David is dead and buried.

v30: See 2 Sam 8.12, 16; the promises to David were not only for Solomon; the real fulfilment is in Christ.

v31: The resurrection fulfils the promises about Jesus Christ being the seed of David, and guarantees an eternal reign. Rom 1.3-4 speaks of the same, and indicates Christ's nature as God and man.

v32: The eye-witnesses of the resurrection, 1.22, just as the crucifixion has eye-witnesses. The same Jesus who performed miracles, who was crucified, was the one raised to life. Peter declares, it is "fact."

v33: Jesus Christ, exalted and glorified and ascended, proved also by the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, John 7.39; 16.7. Eph 4.8, 11 links His ascension with the giving of gifts to the church.

v34-35: Ps 110 is the most quoted Psalm in the NT; Peter sees that these words can only be fulfilled in Christ, David's "Lord."

v36: The declaration: Jesus is both Lord and Christ, Luke 2.11. Never again do the Christians describe God as "Lord," for that title is now reserved for Jesus Christ.

v37: No emotional appeal, for God honours Christ-centred preaching. The Holy Spirit brings conviction through truth.

v38: To "repent" is as necessary for the religious as for irreligious. Indeed, most references to repentance are to a religious audience, for they tend to depend on their ritual and good works. Repentance is the route to forgiveness and justification, 13.38-39. That inward work is evidenced by baptism, a public act.

v39: Although the Lord our God will call many, there remains the personal responsibility to repent and believe the gospel.

v40-41: Peter then spends time urging others to turn to Christ. As a result, 3000 are saved.

v42-47: Luke presents his summary of the early days of the church; see also 4.32-35; 5.12-16. These sections do not describe a specific event, but characteristics of the church as it develops.

v42: The reality of personal salvation is linked with the necessity of being together; teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. The believers are devoted to these things, providing the foundation of the church. We neglect such things at our peril.

v43: The impact through miraculous signs; these are especially linked with the apostles, see 2 Cor 12.12.

v44-45: Sharing in material goods, reflecting their simple trust in God.

v46-47: Obedience, community, gladness and simplicity, gratitude to God; such are the characteristics of the early Christians. The Lord blesses, with many converted and added. In fact, unless the convert was 'added,' he did not count as one of the number.

There are three types of church gathering in the NT, in increasing size:

• meeting from house to house;
• 'synagogue' style, as described, for example, in 1 Cor 14;
• 'celebration,' in Solomon's Porch, Jerusalem.

'The local church is a congregation, a regularly interacting group of people, who all truly believe in and know the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. They meet to serve God and worship Him though song, prayer and discipleship. Every believer has the role of Priest and all should recognize their obligation to serve in the body of believers. The local assembly will, of course, assemble on a regular basis but they will do this in all kind of ways. The nature of a local church should be seen in community rather than in conference. Eloquent and prominent people partnered by well-practiced musicians are our way of conferencing. A community of loving, holy, Christ-like people, meeting together, showing hospitality and talking often about Jesus and the things that really matter - that is local church.' (Dave Chapman)