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Acts 2

Acts 2.

jorden-kent
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Acts 2

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  1. Acts 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

  2. Pentecost Pentecost = Feast of Weeks, so called because it falls on the 50th day (7 weeks inclusive) from “the day after the Sabbath” after Passover. (Lev 23:15ff) “From the day after the Sabbath, … count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with yeast, as wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.”

  3. Pentecost – Celebration of The Giving of the Toral at Sinai and Renewal of Covenant • Book of Jubilee 6:17 …it is ordained and written on the heavenly tablets, that they should celebrate the feast of weeks in this month once a year, to renew the covenant every year • Jewish lectionary reading – Ex 19 is to be read on the feast of Pentecost. • Rabbi Jose and Akiba debated some time before 135 AD whether on Pentecost the rest of the Torah aside from the 10 commandments were given or on the following day. • This is also the understanding of modern Judaism

  4. 3 Groups of Feasts

  5. Pentecost Chronologically Close to Giving of the Law at Sinai What happened at that occasion at Sinai? Ex 19 1 In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt-on the very day-they came to the Desert of Sinai. …3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." 7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said."

  6. Pentecost Math • It is not possible to prove that originally the given of the Law at Sinai (3rd day of 3 month) was precisely 50 days (inclusive) from the Sabbath after the first Passover. • We don’t know on which day of the week was the first Passover. We don’t know how long the first month was (29 or 30), or the length of the second month (29 or 30). [Start of month was determined by appearance of the new moon.] • But it is not forbidden to celebrate an event not on precise anniversary day (e.g. Christmas).

  7. II Chronicles 15 – ASA’s Covenantal Renewal occurred at Pentecost Asa assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa’s reign. …They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul. ASA was 5th King from David, and 3rd in Judah’s line. Reigned for about 40 years. Roughly 900 years before Christ.

  8. The Signs of God’s Presence- Sinai vs. Pentecost Sinai – Ex 19:16-19 • And on the third day, it being morning, it happened: There were thunders and lightnings… • Sound of a trumpet • fire (and smoke) • earth quake Pentecost – • 3rd hour of the day (9am) • Sound (like the blowing of a violent window) • Tongues of fire • In a subsequent episode, earth quake (Act 4:31) The Israelites came to the old Mount Sinai, but the new Mt Sinai came to the Church at Pentecost

  9. The Law and the Nations –More Light on Pentecostal Tradition According to a rabbinic tradition, when the Law was given, it was given in one voice, which became 70 tongues, I.e. the number of nations in the table of nations in Genesis 10. So this rabbinic tradition believes that the Law was promulgated to all nations, in all tongues (languages). The rabbis over-exegeted. But was the underlying theology correct? (Yes. The law was applicable not just to Israel but for all nations.) To a Jew who knew this rabbinic tradition, she/he would not doubt see the Sinai/Pentecost parallel in the tongues phenomenon.

  10. The Torah for all Nations • ShemothRabbah  (Commentary on Exodus - dated 10-11 century, refering to Rabbi Johanan, likely contemporary of Paul) states, “God's voice, as it was uttered, was distributed into seventy voices, in seventy tongues, so that all the nations should understand.” • Ex 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Sukkoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. 38 Many other people went up with them… • Ex 20:18 Now when all the people perceived the thunderingsHerbrewqoloth can mean voices) and the lightnings and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled; and they stood afar off • The LXX translates “thunders” not as bronte (thunder) but phone (voice).

  11. Acts 2:5-13 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b]10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” • 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

  12. Homelands of the audience of Acts 2

  13. The Diaspora • According to the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, the next most dense Jewish population after the Land of Israel and Babylonia was in Syria, particularly in Antioch, and Damascus. - Wikipedia • The ancient Jewish philosopher Philo gives the number of Jewish inhabitants in Egypt as one million, one-eighth of the population. Alexandria was by far the most important of the Egyptian Jewish communities. – Wikipeida

  14. Jewish Diaspora in Rome • A brief statement in Divus Claudius 25 mentions agitations by the "Jews" which led Claudius (Roman Emperor from AD 41 to 54) to expel them from Rome: • "Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he [the Emperor Claudius] expelled them from Rome." (Historians understoodthis act as “population control.”) • Rome – Acts 18:2 “There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. “

  15. Preliminary Remark about Speeches in Acts Number of speeches: • Peter - 7 • James – 2 • Stephen – 1 • Paul – 9 • Non-Christians – 4 • Total = 1/5 of Acts • Speeches gives theological interpretation of the events narrated by Luke.

  16. The Use of Speeches in Ancient historical Writings • Rhetoric was a must for every trained and educated person. • A writer puts in speeches to show his rhetorical skills. When a book is read, the speeches spice up the reading. • Thus some historians freely compose speeches.

  17. Was Luke too free with Speech Writing in Acts? • The speeches in Acts were not rhetorical. The Greek was difficult, as well as Semitic. F.F. Bruce, “It is curious how often the Greek becomes obscure when the apostles are speaking.” • Comparison of Luke with Mark and Matthew showed that Luke does not freely compose speeches by Jesus.

  18. Acts 2:16-21 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says,    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy,    your young men will see visions,    your old men will dream dreams.18 Even on my servants, both men and women,    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,    and they will prophesy.19 I will show wonders in the heavens above    and signs on the earth below,    blood and fire and billows of smoke.20 The sun will be turned to darkness    and the moon to blood    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

  19. 1st Century Jewish Expectation of the Holy Spiritas the Disciples Orginally Cherished 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” The mention of the Holy Spirit led to end-time-expectations. Why?

  20. The Disciples’ Reaction • In the OT, the Holy Spirit was active on a few, to equip them for specific task which may not be permanent. The prophets were bearers of the Holy Spirit. • The Jews believed that after Haggai, Zecharia, and Malachi, the Holy Spirit departed from the land. • During the cessation of the Holy Spirit, the Law was the all inclusive and comprehensive guide to life. The interpreters of the Law, the scribes, succeeded the prophets to guide Israel.

  21. Special Revelation via a Voice • During the time of cessation of the Holy Spirit, the Jews believed that God would communicates special revelation through a voice from heaven, a bat qal – “daughter of a voice”, i.e. an echo (bat qol). • Bat qal in the OT: God calling Samuel 3 times; Dan 4:28 “O King Nebuchadnezzar, your Kingdom is passed from you.” • Bat Qal in Judaism: e.g. it was claimed when at Jamnia the sages discussed some questions, a voice settled in favor of Hillel against Shammai. • It is interesting to note that Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Spirit at baptism is introduced by a voice like a bat qol. A bat qol announcing a new prophet! • Note the voice to Saul on way to Damascus

  22. The Holy Spirit in Judaism Eschatology Num 11:24-30: “The Lord took some of the Spirit of Moses and gave to them (70 elders), but two other Isreaelites Eldad and Medad also prophesied. Joshua, son of Nun, got jealous. “My Lord Moses, forbid them.” “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his spirit upon them.” Numbers Rabba (Jewish commentary on Num 11:24-30: “In this age individuals were given prophetic power, but in the ago to come all Israel will be made prophets.” Joel 2:28 cited to prove the point – “In the last days, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh …

  23. Jesus’ Answer to the Disciples 1:7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” • The coming of the Holy Spirit is not the ultimate end • The Holy Spirit is not bounded to Israel, but is power for world-wide witnessing

  24. Acts 2:25ff - Ps 16:8-11 prophesized about the Resurrection of the Messiah David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me.    Because he is at my right hand,    I will not be shaken.26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;    my body also will rest in hope,27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,    you will not let your holy one see decay.28 You have made known to me the paths of life;    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e] 29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

  25. Acts 2:33ff – Ps 110:1 prophesized about the ascension of the Messiah 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord:    “Sit at my right hand35 until I make your enemies    a footstool for your feet.”’[f] 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

  26. Lord Jesus Christ“3-word confession” • 0 time in Gospels • 83 times in the rest of the NT • 4 times in Acts • 66 times in Paul • 13 times in the rest of the NT • Note we count similar phrases e.g. “Jesus Christ our Lord” • What would explain the shift of usage from Gospels to the rest of NT?

  27. Applications Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Deut 16 :10Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the Lord your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord your God has given you. 11 And rejoice before the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites in your towns, and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows living among you.  Eph 5:18 be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (note: There is no command in the NT for Christian to be baptized in the HS, or to seek baptism of the Holy Spirit)

  28. The Old and The New • The formation of God’s people based on the Old Covenant of obedience to the Law • The formation of God’s people of the New Covenant not of the letter but of the Spirit. II Cor 3:6 – “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” • Pentecost is therefore the new Sinai. God brought Sinai in a new way to us all who believe. The Spirit is put into our hearts so that we can keep God’s Law. Pentecost deserves as much attention as Christmas, Good Friday, Easter. It’s our anniversary. Paul’s example: Acts 20:6 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

  29. How did Pentecost become the celebration of the giving of the law at Sinai? • Ex 19:1ff the giving of the law was in the first few days the 3rd month. Pentecost is on the 6th day of the 3rd month. • 2 Chr 15:10-14 in Asa’s reign, in the third month, the people assembled in Jerusalem to renew the covenant with God. The occasion mostly likely was Pentecost – a feast day requiring presence of men in Jerusalem. • Qumran the sectarians observed Pentecost as "the feast of covenant renewal" (Jubilee 6:17-21; Manual of Discipline 1:16-2.18) • Jewish lectionary reading – Ex 19 is to be read on the feast of Pentecost. • Rabbi Jose and Akiba debated some time before 135 AD whether on Pentecost the rest of the Torah aside from the 10 commandments were given or on the following day.

  30. 7 Festivals • Passover Pesach Nisan 14-15 (lev 23:5) • Unleavened Bread ChagHamotzi Nisan 15-20 (Lev 23:6) • First Fruits Yom habikkurim Nisan 16-17 • Pentecost Shavuoth Sivan 6-7 (Lev 23:16) • Trumpters Yom Teru’ah Tishri 1 • Atonement Yom Kippur Tishri 10 • Tabernacles Sukkot – Tishri 15-22 Deut 16:16: Three times a year all your men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles.

  31. 3 Major Feasts • Passover – remembering Exodus from Egypt • Pentecost – remember ? • Tabernacle – remembering desert experience Ex 19: 1On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2  … and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain… 6 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it …

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