Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 2

We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with them, there were disputes among the disciples about who would be the greatest; but now all these disputes were at an end. They had prayed more together recently. If we desire the Spirit to be poured out upon us from on high, let us all be of one accord. And despite differences of views and interests, as there were among those disciples, let us agree to love one another; for where fellow believers live together in unity, there the Lord commands His blessing.

A rushing mighty wind came with great force. This was to signify the powerful influences and working of the Spirit of God upon the minds of people, and thereby upon the world. Thus the convictions of the Spirit make way for His comforts; and the rough blasts of that blessed wind prepare the soul for its soft and gentle gales. There was an appearance of something like flaming fire, lighting on every one of them, according to John the Baptist's saying concerning Christ: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

The Spirit, like fire, melts the heart, burns up the dross, and kindles pious and devout affections in the soul, in which, as in the fire on the altar, the spiritual sacrifices are offered up. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than before. They were filled with the graces of the Spirit and, more than ever, were under His sanctifying influences—more weaned from this world and better acquainted with the world to come. They were more filled with the comforts of the Spirit, rejoiced more than ever in the love of Christ and the hope of heaven; in this joy, all their griefs and fears were swallowed up.

They were filled with the gifts of the Holy Ghost; they had miraculous powers for the advancement of the gospel. They spoke, not from previous thought or meditation, but as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The difference in languages which arose at Babel has greatly hindered the spread of knowledge and religion. The instruments whom the Lord first employed in spreading the Christian religion could have made no progress without this gift, which proved that their authority was from God.

Peter's sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ and to join themselves to his church.

It was the fulfilling of Scripture, and the fruit of Christ's resurrection and ascension, and proof of both. Though Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not think to set aside the Scriptures.

Christ's scholars never learn beyond their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away with the Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey them. Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great day, except those who call upon the name of the Lord, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the Judge of all mankind.

From this gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter preaches Jesus to them, and this is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed only a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act, and one of wonderful grace and wisdom. In this way, Divine justice had to be satisfied, God and humanity brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, according to an eternal plan that could not be altered.

And as the people's act, on their part it was an act of awful sin and folly. Christ's resurrection removed the reproach of his death; Peter speaks extensively about this. Christ was God's Holy One, sanctified and set apart for his service in the work of redemption. His death and sufferings were to be, not for him only, but for all his own, the entrance to a blessed life forever.

This event had taken place as foretold, and the apostles were witnesses. Nor did the resurrection rest on this alone; Christ had poured out on his disciples the miraculous gifts and Divine influences, the effects of which they witnessed. Through the Savior, the ways of life are made known; and we are encouraged to expect God's presence and his favor forever.

All this springs from an assured belief that Jesus is the Lord and the anointed Savior.

From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that Divine power accompanied it, and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter's words nor the miracle they witnessed could have produced such effects if the Holy Spirit had not been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot help but be pricked to the heart for sin and cannot help but feel an inward uneasiness.

The apostle exhorted them to repent of their sins and openly avow their belief in Jesus as the Messiah by being baptized in his name. Thus, by professing their faith in Him, they would receive remission of their sins and partake of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. Separating from wicked people is the only way to save ourselves from them. Those who repent of their sins and give themselves up to Jesus Christ must prove their sincerity by breaking off from the wicked.

We must save ourselves from them; this means avoiding them with dread and holy fear. By God's grace, three thousand persons accepted the gospel invitation. There can be no doubt that the gift of the Holy Spirit, which they all received and from which no true believer has ever been shut out, was that Spirit of adoption, that converting, guiding, sanctifying grace, which is bestowed upon all the members of the family of our heavenly Father. Repentance and remission of sins are still preached to the chief of sinners in the Redeemer's name; still the Holy Spirit seals the blessing on the believer's heart; still the encouraging promises are to us and our children; and still the blessings are offered to all who are far off.