Acts 2

The chapter

Acts 2 is the birthday chapter of the Christian Church. Fifty days after the Resurrection, the Holy Ghost descends on the apostles gathered in Jerusalem — 'a rushing mighty wind' (v. 2), 'cloven tongues like as of fire' (v. 3), and the gift of speaking the mighty works of God in many languages. Peter preaches; about three thousand souls are added; the four marks of the Church appear in v. 42 (doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers).

Who wrote it

The Book of Acts was written by Luke the physician, as a second volume to his Gospel (Acts 1:1 refers to the 'former treatise' addressed to Theophilus). Luke was probably in Jerusalem or wrote from careful eyewitness sources for the events of Pentecost.

Historical and geographical context

The date is Pentecost (the Jewish Feast of Weeks / Shavuot) c. AD 30 or 33 — fifty days after the Resurrection. The setting is Jerusalem, in an upper room (traditionally the Cenacle on Mount Zion). Jews from every nation under heaven have gathered for the feast (Acts 2:9-11 lists fifteen), which is why the miracle of many languages is heard by many nations at once.

Important verses

• Acts 2:1-2 (KJV) 'And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.'
• Acts 2:3-4 (KJV) 'And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost…'
• Acts 2:14-21 (KJV) Peter cites Joel 2:28-32.
• Acts 2:22-36 (KJV) Peter preaches Christ crucified and risen; cites Psalm 16 and Psalm 110.
• Acts 2:38 (KJV) 'Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'
• Acts 2:41 (KJV) '…and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.'
• Acts 2:42 (KJV) 'And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.'
• Acts 2:44-47 (KJV) The community of goods; daily worship; the Lord added to the church daily.

Christ-centred reading

Peter's sermon is the first Christian sermon. Its heart is Christological: 'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ' (Acts 2:36). Every subsequent Christian sermon takes its shape from this one.

In Christian tradition

• Pentecost Sunday (fifty days after Easter) is one of the three great feasts of the Christian year, alongside Easter and Christmas.
• The traditional colour of Pentecost is red — for the tongues of fire and the martyrs.
• The Veni Creator Spiritus and Veni Sancte Spiritus hymns of the Latin tradition are Pentecost sequences.
• Christian confirmations in many traditions are placed at Pentecost.

Connected People

• Peter — the preacher of the first sermon.
• Mary — present with the apostles (Acts 1:14).
• The twelve apostles (Matthias having replaced Judas in Acts 1).
• The three thousand souls of the first Christian baptism day.

Connected Places

• Jerusalem — the city of Pentecost.
• Mount of Olives — from which the apostles had descended after the Ascension (Acts 1:12).

Household application

Keep Pentecost Sunday as a household feast. Wear red at the table. Read Acts 2:1-21 aloud after Sunday Mass.

Teach the children that the Holy Ghost is the same Person who blew through the upper room and rests upon every Christian house.

Room connections

Where this entry meets the household in the wider house of CrossAIHub.

• Read (Library) — Read Acts 2 aloud on Pentecost Sunday.
• Pray (Chapel) — Pray the Veni Creator Spiritus each day of the octave of Pentecost.
• Family (Kitchen Table) — Bake something round and red on Pentecost — a household tradition of the tongues of fire.
• Sing (Choir Room) — Sing 'Come Down, O Love Divine' (Bianco of Siena, fourteenth century).
• Learn (Workshop) — Study the four marks of the Church in Acts 2:42 — doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayers.

Further reading

Acts 1-2 in the KJV.

Joel 2:28-32 — the prophecy Peter cites.

Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture XVII (fourth century) — a great catechesis on the Holy Ghost.

Elsewhere in the Atlas

• Peter
• Mary, mother of Christ
• Jerusalem
• Christ Jesus
• Luke — the historian of Acts
• Return to the atrium — the Atlas's main room.