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Second Baptist Church Southwest

First & M Streets, S.W.

Washington, District of Columbia

Rev. H. Joseph Franklin, D.D., Pastor – Instructor

The Book of Acts: Chapter Four (4)

Acts 4:6

b. The 120 are filled with the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. (2:1-4)

1. Pentecost - 50 days after Firstfruits (Lev. 23:15f). Marked conclusion of grain harvest (wheat) - barley harvest began at Firstfruits. Coming of HS marked completion of Christ’s work (Acts 2:31-33)

2. πυοή “wind” = power; used of God’s Spirit (Ezek 37:9-14; Jn 3:8)

3. Fire - picture of presence of God (Exod 3:2ff) - on each one of them.

4. Distinction between baptism and filling

filling = result of baptism

Acts 11:15-16 - Baptism only happened once (at moment of salvation for subsequent believers - Rom 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; Col. 2:12). But fillings many (4:31; 6:5; 7:55; 9:17). Filling of Spirit sovereignly done, yet we are responsible (Eph. 5:18).

c. The speaking of God’s mighty deeds in many languages brought amazement and mocking. (2:5-13)

6. Actual languages, not ecstatic sounds. Sound heard by crowd - languages (φωυης), not wind (πυοή).

No correlation in Scripture between speaking in tongues and spirituality.

Purpose of tongues: sign to unbelieving Jews of judgment (1 Cor. 14:20-22; cf. Isa 28:11ff). Secondary result in Acts is recollection of Pentecost event to confirm the unity of different groups into the one church.

7. “Galileans” - cf. 1:11 - the 12 were either leaders speaking in tongues, or were only ones speaking tongues.

Apparently upper room where they were staying (1:13; 2:2) was close to Temple area (Luke 24:53).

Note: variety of languages already suggests a gospel that will go beyond Israel.

d. Peter’s sermon declares the prophetic fulfillment of the pouring out of the Spirit and calls for repentance through faith in the risen Messiah. (2:14-40)

(1) The prophetic fulfillment of the pouring out of the Spirit is declared by Peter. (2:14-21)

15. Morning sacrifices not over until third or fourth hour (9-10 a.m.), therefore could not get drunk so soon.

16. not “like,” or even “fulfilled” in a general sense; very specific this = that of Joel. Strong statement. The Kingdom is at hand and judgment is near.

- changes “come about after this” in Joel to “shall be in the last days.” Issue in Joel is results of repentance of nation. In Acts 2, fact of outpouring fulfilled, but results for Israel not fulfilled until they receive Him (Zech. 12:10). Cosmic events included to reach point in quote of Joel 2:32a - basis of salvation.

Acts 4:7

(2) The resurrection of the crucified Jesus demands repentance through faith in the Messiah. (2:22-40)

Theme: Jesus is Messiah and Lord (v. 36)

- Possibly outline for message came from Jesus - Luke 24:44-48 -- It is written (46); use of the OT; Christ should suffer (2:23); rise again (2:24-32); repentance/forgiveness . . . to all nations (2:34, 39); you are witnesses (2:32).

(a) The works of Jesus prove He is the Messiah. (2:22)

(b) The resurrection of Jesus proves He is the Messiah (2:23-32)

23. Cross was no accident; fully planned by God. God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility.

24ff. Stress on resurrection -- crucial to our faith (Rom. 4:25). Four proofs of the resurrection:

(1) Ps 16:10 and the presence of David’s tomb -- must be talking of Christ (25-31)

(2) Witnesses (32)

(3) Supernatural events of Pentecost (33)

(4) Ps. 110:1 (34, 35)

(c) The glorified Messiah has poured fourth His Spirit. (2:33-36)

36. “Lord” - more than “master.” Means also YHWH to Jews (Bruce, pp. 73-74. Personhood of Jesus is the issue for the Jews.)

(d) Repentance through faith in Christ is required. (2:37-40)

Application - καταυύσσμαι (“pierced” v. 37) - hit hard, smitten; realized what they had done to the Messiah.

38. Baptism in same category as circumcision; external rite by man. Acts 15 rules out circumcision; implies baptism would also be excluded as means of justification.

Possible views:

(1) Repent + Baptism = forgiveness of sin (Church of Christ)

(2) Repentance alone is necessary for forgiveness; baptism follows as a testimony.

a. forgiveness clause separated from baptism clause (difference between plural and singular subjects and plural antecedent, and second and third persons in clauses) (cf. Acts 10:43 for same construction; Acts 5:31; Lk 24:47; 3:3)

b. είς + accusative = on the basis of, because of (Matt 12:41; 10:41; 3:11; Mark 1:4). Makes baptism subsequent to forgiveness. However, note that this is not the ordinary use of είς