Hechos 2

El Espíritu Santo desciende en Pentecostés

1 Cuando llegó el día de Pentecostés, estaban todos juntos en el mismo lugar.

2 De repente, vino del cielo un ruido como el de una violenta ráfaga de viento y llenó toda la casa donde estaban reunidos.

3 Se les aparecieron entonces unas lenguas como de fuego que se repartieron y se posaron sobre cada uno de ellos.

4 Todos fueron llenos del Espíritu Santo y comenzaron a hablar en diferentes lenguas, según el Espíritu les concedía expresarse.

5 Estaban de visita en Jerusalén judíos piadosos, procedentes de todas las naciones de la tierra.

6 Al oír aquel bullicio, se agolparon y quedaron todos pasmados porque cada uno los escuchaba hablar en su propio idioma.

7 Desconcertados y maravillados, decían: «¿No son galileos todos estos que están hablando?

8 ¿Cómo es que cada uno de nosotros los oye hablar en su lengua materna?

9 Partos, medos y elamitas; habitantes de Mesopotamia, de Judea y de Capadocia, del Ponto y de Asia,

10 de Frigia y de Panfilia, de Egipto y de las regiones de Libia cercanas a Cirene; visitantes llegados de Roma;

11 judíos y prosélitos; cretenses y árabes: ¡todos por igual los oímos proclamar en nuestra propia lengua las maravillas de Dios!»

12 Desconcertados y perplejos, se preguntaban: «¿Qué quiere decir esto?»

13 Otros se burlaban y decían: «Lo que pasa es que están borrachos».

Pedro se dirige a la multitud

14 Entonces Pedro, con los once, se puso de pie y dijo a voz en cuello: «Compatriotas judíos y todos ustedes que están en Jerusalén, déjenme explicarles lo que sucede; presten atención a lo que les voy a decir.

15 Estos no están borrachos, como suponen ustedes. ¡Apenas son las nueve de la mañana!^[a]

16 En realidad lo que pasa es lo que anunció el profeta Joel:

17 »“Sucederá que en los últimos días —dice Dios—,derramaré mi Espíritu sobre todo el género humano.Los hijos y las hijas de ustedes profetizarán,tendrán visiones los jóvenesy sueños los ancianos.

18 En esos días derramaré mi Espírituaun sobre mis siervos y mis siervas,y profetizarán.

19 Arriba en el cielo y abajo en la tierra mostraré prodigios:sangre, fuego y nubes de humo.

20 El sol se convertirá en tinieblasy la luna en sangreantes que llegue el día del Señor, día grande y esplendoroso.

21 Y todo el que invoque el nombre del Señorserá salvo”.^[b]

22 »Pueblo de Israel, escuchen esto: Jesús de Nazaret fue un hombre acreditado por Dios ante ustedes con milagros, señales y prodigios, los cuales realizó Dios entre ustedes por medio de él, como bien lo saben.

23 Este fue entregado según el determinado propósito y el previo conocimiento de Dios; y por medio de gente malvada,^[c] ustedes lo mataron, clavándolo en la cruz.

24 Sin embargo, Dios lo resucitó, librándolo de las angustias de la muerte, porque era imposible que la muerte lo mantuviera bajo su dominio.

25 En efecto, David dijo de él:»“Veía yo al Señor siempre delante de mí,porque él está a mi derechapara que no caiga.

26 Por eso mi corazón se alegra, y canta con gozo mi lengua;mi cuerpo también vivirá en esperanza.

27 No dejarás que mi vida termine en el sepulcro;^[d]no permitirás que tu santo sufra corrupción.

28 Me has dado a conocer los caminos de la vida;me llenarás de alegría en tu presencia”.^[e]

29 »Hermanos, permítanme hablarles con franqueza acerca del patriarca David, que murió y fue sepultado, y cuyo sepulcro está entre nosotros hasta el día de hoy.

30 Era profeta y sabía que Dios le había prometido bajo juramento poner en el trono a uno de sus descendientes.^[f]

31 Fue así como previó lo que iba a suceder. Refiriéndose a la resurrección del Mesías, afirmó que Dios no dejaría que su vida terminara en el sepulcro, ni que su fin fuera la corrupción.

32 A este Jesús, Dios lo resucitó, y de ello todos nosotros somos testigos.

33 Exaltado por el poder^[g] de Dios, y habiendo recibido del Padre el Espíritu Santo prometido, ha derramado esto que ustedes ahora ven y oyen.

34 David no subió al cielo, y sin embargo declaró:»“Dijo el Señor a mi Señor:Siéntate a mi derecha,

35 hasta que ponga a tus enemigospor estrado de tus pies”.^[h]

36 »Por tanto, sépalo bien todo Israel que a este Jesús, a quien ustedes crucificaron, Dios lo ha hecho Señor y Mesías».

37 Cuando oyeron esto, todos se sintieron profundamente conmovidos y les dijeron a Pedro y a los otros apóstoles:—Hermanos, ¿qué debemos hacer?

38 —Arrepiéntase y bautícese cada uno de ustedes en el nombre de Jesucristo para perdón de sus pecados —les contestó Pedro—, y recibirán el don del Espíritu Santo.

39 En efecto, la promesa es para ustedes, para sus hijos y para todos los extranjeros,^[i] es decir, para todos aquellos a quienes el Señor nuestro Dios quiera llamar.

40 Y con muchas otras razones les exhortaba insistentemente:—¡Sálvense de esta generación perversa!

La comunidad de los creyentes

41 Así, pues, los que recibieron su mensaje fueron bautizados, y aquel día se unieron a la iglesia unas tres mil personas.

42 Se mantenían firmes en la enseñanza de los apóstoles, en la comunión, en el partimiento del pan y en la oración.

43 Todos estaban asombrados por los muchos prodigios y señales que realizaban los apóstoles.

44 Todos los creyentes estaban juntos y tenían todo en común:

45 vendían sus propiedades y posesiones, y compartían sus bienes entre sí según la necesidad de cada uno.

46 No dejaban de reunirse en el templo ni un solo día. De casa en casa partían el pan y compartían la comida con alegría y generosidad,

47 alabando a Dios y disfrutando de la estimación general del pueblo. Y cada día el Señor añadía al grupo los que iban siendo salvos.

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Hechos 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

The descent of the Holy Spirit at the day of Pentecost. (1-4) The apostles speak in divers languages. (5-13) Peter's address to the Jews. (14-36) Three thousand souls converted. (37-41) The piety and affection of the disciples. (42-47)

Verses 1-4 We cannot forget how often, while their Master was with them there were strifes among the disciples which should be the greatest; but now all these strifes were at an end. They had prayed more together of late. Would we have the Spirit poured out upon us from on high, let us be all of one accord. And notwithstanding differences of sentiments and interests, as there were among those disciples, let us agree to love one another; for where brethren dwell 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 men, 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 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 under his sanctifying influences; more weaned from this world, and better acquainted with the other. 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 it all their griefs and fears were swallowed up. They were filled with the gifts of the Holy Ghost; they had miraculous powers for the furtherance of the gospel. They spake, not from previous though or meditation, but as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Verses 5-13 The difference in languages which arose at Babel, has much 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.

Verses 14-21 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 the Scripture, and the fruit of Christ's resurrection and ascension, and proof of both. Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ's scholars never learn above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away 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.

Verses 22-36 From this gift of the Holy Ghost, Peter preaches unto them Jesus: and here is the history of Christ. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a few weeks before. His death is considered as God's act; and of wonderful grace and wisdom. Thus Divine justice must be satisfied, God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified, according to an eternal counsel, which could not be altered. And as the people's act; in them it was an act of awful sin and folly. Christ's resurrection did away the reproach of his death; Peter speaks largely upon this. Christ was God's Holy One, sanctified and set apart to his service in the work of redemption. His death and sufferings should be, not to him only, but to all his, the entrance to a blessed life for evermore. This event had taken place as foretold, and the apostles were witnesses. Nor did the resurrection rest upon this alone; Christ had poured upon his disciples the miraculous gifts and Divine influences, of which they witnessed the effects. Through the Saviour, the ways of life are made known; and we are encouraged to expect God's presence, and his favour for evermore. All this springs from assured belief that Jesus is the Lord, and the anointed Saviour.

Verses 37-41 From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with 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, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but feel an inward uneasiness. The apostle exhorted them to repent of their sins, and openly to avow their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, by being baptized in his name. Thus professing their faith in Him, they would receive remission of their sins, and partake of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. To separate from wicked people, is the only way to save ourselves from them. Those who repent of their sins, and give up themselves to Jesus Christ, must prove their sincerity by breaking off from the wicked. We must save ourselves from them; which denotes 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 Ghost, 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 that are afar off.

Verses 42-47 In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appointed us to meet him, and has promised to meet us. The greatness of the event raised them above the world, and the Holy Ghost filled them with such love, as made every one to be to another as to himself, and so made all things common, not by destroying property, but doing away selfishness, and causing charity. And God who moved them to it, knew that they were quickly to be driven from their possessions in Judea. The Lord, from day to day, inclined the hearts of more to embrace the gospel; not merely professors, but such as were actually brought into a state of acceptance with God, being made partakers of regenerating grace. Those whom God has designed for eternal salvation, shall be effectually brought to Christ, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of his glory.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)