Acts Chapter Two

Read Acts 2:1-13

v1. “AND WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST WAS FULLY COME, THEY WERE ALL WITH ONE ACCORD IN ONE PLACE.”

What is the day of Pentecost? When God gave Moses the instructions for how the Passover was to be kept in the new land in Leviticus 23, he followed with these words:

Leviticus 23:15-16 “AND YE SHALL COUNT UNTO YOU FROM THE MORROW AFTER THE SABBATH, FROM THE DAY THAT YE BROUGHT THE SHEAF OF THE WAVE OFFERING, SEVEN SABBATHS SHALL BE COMPLETE: EVEN UNTO THE MORROW AFTER THE SEVENTH SABBATH SHALL YE NUMBER FIFTY DAYS; AND YE SHALL OFFER A NEW MEAT OFFERING UNTO THE LORD.”

There were three major feasts in Jewish religion. The Passover celebrated their release from the slavery of Egypt, Pentecost the beginning of the harvest and God’s material blessings, and the Feast of the Tabernacles which reminded them of their wanderings in the wilderness. Some contend that it also coincided with the giving of the law at Sinai as they hold that that event happened 50 days after the passover but there is nothing in scripture to support that contention. Scholars tell us that at this time there were probably more Jews in the city of Jerusalem than at any other time of the year. Why? They came to attend the Passover and Pentecost feasts.

Acts 1:14 “THESE ALL CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD IN PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THE WOMEN, AND MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS, AND WITH HIS BRETHREN.”

Who are “they” in Acts 2:1? This plural pronoun refers all the way back to Acts 1:15 where Luke records that if this gathering were to be named that there would be about 120 people. This would include the apostles and about 109 other disciples.

v2. “AND SUDDENLY THERE CAME A SOUND FROM HEAVEN AS OF A RUSHING MIGHTY WIND, AND IT FILLED ALL THE HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE SITTING.”

Did a wind come? No they heard a sound; the sound as thought it were a mighty rushing wind. And it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

v3. “AND THERE APPEARED UNTO THEM CLOVEN TONGUES LIKE AS OF FIRE, AND IT SAT UPON EACH OF THEM.”

Who is the “them” in this case? The apostles. We have no record that everyone in the room was affected by this miracle. In fact the giving of any power related to the Holy Spirit could only be passed on by one of the apostles by the laying on of hands. The tongues of light that appeared as fire marked or served to identify each one to whom the power of the Holy Spirit was given.

v4. “AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, AND BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE.”

This is what they had been waiting for. I’m not sure that they knew it at that time but I’m equally sure that it didn’t take them long to figure it out. This is what Jesus had promised:

Acts 1:5 “FOR JOHN TRULY BAPTIZED WITH WATER; BUT YE SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST NOT MANY DAYS HENCE.”

They had also been told that they would be able to speak in tongues:

Mark 16:17 “AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES.”

Unknown tongues? No new tongues, languages that they had not learned in the normal way. What value would an unknown tongue have? None - you can’t use it to teach, edify, praise God, or anything of that nature if it’s unknown. We’ll study more about the tongues just a little further on in our lesson.

v5. “AND THERE WERE DWELLING AT JERUSALEM JEWS, DEVOUT MEN, OUT OF EVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN.”

As is true today the same was true then. Only a small portion of the people of Jewish ancestry lived in Jerusalem or in the Palestine area. But great numbers of them traveled there to attend the feast of the passover and stayed over the seven weeks for Pentecost. The scripture says that every nation under heaven was represented and brother Luke actually names fifteen. These were devout men, men like the eunuch baptized by Phillip. They were probably men with some substance; because those with some means could afford to make the long journey from their homeland to Jerusalem for these feasts. Poor people would not.

v6. “NOW WHEN THIS WAS NOISED ABROAD, THE MULTITUDE CAME TOGTHER, AND WERE CONFOUNDED, BECAUSE THAT EVERY MAN HEARD THEM SPEAK IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE.”

When what has happened in the gathering of the apostles becomes known or as the verse says was “noised abroad” people came to see what was going on. A multitude came together, apparently a multitude of several thousand people. Now were these speaking in unknown tongues? No the scripture says that the reason that these devout men were confounded is that they heard these men speaking in each of their own native languages. Well then, is God performing a miracle on the hearers as some would contend? No because the hearers are hearing these men “speak” in their language.

v7. “AND THEY WERE ALL AMAZED AND MARVELLED, SAYING ONE TO ANOTHER, BEHOLD, ARE NOT ALL THESE WHICH SPEAK GALILAEANS?”

That was the amazing part, these visitors to Jerusalem, some of whom probably hadn’t heard their own local language or dialect since their arrival except in their own company now heard these Galilean men speaking their native tongue just as though they had been speaking it all their lives. Greek was the universal language of the day just as English is in most parts of the world today but they weren’t speaking just Greek but every native language or dialect represented.

v8. “AND HOW HEAR WE EVERY MAN IN OUR OWN TONGUE, WHEREIN WE WERE BORN?”

God doesn’t leave anything to chance does he? He even tells that these men were hearing the apostles speak in the tongue or language that these strangers to Jerusalem were born; regardless of where they were from.

v9. “PARTHIANS, AND MEDES, AND ELAMITES, AND THE DWELLERS IN MESOPOTAMIA, AND IN JUDAEA, AND CAPPADOCIA, IN PONTUS, AND ASIA,”

Now brother Luke takes us on a short geography lesson. He starts in the east in the area we might today call Iran east of the Tigris River and the Caspian Sea, and we might point out that the country of Elam had its own language that was different from any of those around it, yet the apostles knew it. Then he mentions Mesopotamia; this is the area we would today call Iraq, Kuwait and what is known as the fertile crescent. Then he mentions Judaea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, the last three provinces in Asia Minor, known today as Turkey.

v10. “PHRYGIA, AND PAMPHYLIA, IN EGYPT, AND THE PARTS OF LIBYA ABOUT CYRENE, AND STRANGERS OF ROME, JEWS AND PROSELYTES,”

Phrygia and Pamphylia are also provinces of Rome or small countries that we find in Asia Minor or what is Turkey today. Then he mentions Egypt that we know had their own language. After Egypt he moves our geography lesson across the northern edge of the continent of Africa mentioning Libya, the same Libya that we know today, and Cyrene an ancient city, or city state that is known today as Shahhat, Libya. Then Rome and we all know where Rome is; in Italy and that they spoke Latin.

v11. “Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Crete of course is an island in the Mediterranean Sea just at the south end of the Aegean and Arabians would come from the area just immediately east and south of Palestine, the area we know today as Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Was Peter the only one preaching the Word of God that day? Of course not, all these men were speaking and preaching as brother Luke tells us “the wonderful works of God”.

v12. “AND THEY WERE ALL AMAZED, AND WERE IN DOUBT, SAYING TO ANOTHER, WHAT MEANETH THIS?”

Another translation says these men were perplexed, they were amazed and probably as we would have, doubted their own ears. All being devout Jews they understood the message being preached, they undoubtedly, as we will see in a few verses, knew about Jesus and his crucifixion, they were not strangers to the Word of God. They are seeing a miracle in progress and wondering just what it means, but some scoffed didn’t they?

v13. “OTHERS MOCKING SAID, THESE MEN ARE FULL OF NEW WINE.”

These men are all drunk; they don’t know what they’re doing. Would “new wine” make somebody drunk? The word translated here is not oinos, the Greek word generally used for wine but rather gleukos (Vines) or gleukous which means “sweet wine” that was considered highly intoxicating. H. Leo Boles, in his commentary, says that “sweet wine” kept a year was very intoxicating. It probably wasn’t fortified like the product sold today that has 14% alcohol by content but still very intoxicating.

Read Acts 2:14-36

v 14. “BUT PETER, STANDING UP WITH THE ELEVEN, LIFTED UP HIS VOICE, AND SAID UNTO THEM, YE MEN OF JUDAEA, AND ALL ye THAT DWELL AT JERUSALEM, BE THIS KNOWN UNTO YOU, AND HEARKEN TO MY WORDS.”

Peter again steps forward and speaks for the apostles, was this just his idea?

Matthew 16:19 “AND I WILL GIVE UNTO THEE THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT BIND ON EARTH SHALL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN: AND WHATSOEVER THOU SHALT LOOSE ON EARTH SHALL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN.”

No, this isn’t just Peter’s idea. Jesus knew Peter’s capabilities and had chosen Peter to be the lead spokesman, the herald of this good news of the gospel of Christ. The audience has been gathered by the manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit which allowed them to speak all languages needed and the time has arrived for God to begin to reveal his final covenant with mankind and the fact that remission of sins and salvation of souls is now available for the first time in man’s history. Without doubt this is the most important moment in the history of man.

v15. “FOR THESE ARE NOT DRUNKEN, AS YE SUPPOSE, SEEING IT IS but THE THIRD HOUR OF THE DAY.”

What did the third hour do the day have to do with it? What time is that? On the Jewish clock of the first century the 24 hour day is divided into two twelve hour segments, day and night, beginning and ending at what we would call 6 o’clock in the evening. The third hour of the day is simply 9:00 a.m., not a time of day that men would normally be drunk even if they had been drinking. In fact Boles again tells us that it was the morning hour of prayer at the temple and no devout Jew would eat or drink anything before the hour of prayer was past. Drinking and drunkenness was a night activity, just as it is today for most people unless they’re a practicing alcoholic.

I Thessalonians 5:7 “FOR THEY THAT SLEEP SLEEP IN THE NIGHT; AND THEY THAT BE DRUNKEN ARE DRUNKEN IN THE NIGHT.”

v16. “BUT THIS IS THAT WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL;”

Peter does tell them what they’re witnessing, the fulfillment of prophecy, their own prophet Joel.

v17. “AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAITH GOD, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH: AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS:”

Joel 2:27-29 “AND YE SHALL KNOW THAT I am IN THE MIDST OF ISRAEL, AND that I am THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND NONE ELSE: AND MY PEOPLE SHALL NEVER BE ASHAMED. AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS AFTERWARD, that I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS: AND ALSO UPON THE SERVANTS AND UPON THE HANDMAIDENS IN THOSE DAYS WILL I POUR OUT MY SPIRIT.”

Who had just been in the “midst of Israel”? Jesus the Christ, the son of God. What had just happened in the upper room? The Holy Spirit had been “poured” out upon the apostles, not anyone else, that would come later and to a lesser degree than was given to God’s chosen messengers. There would be one more outpouring of the Holy Spirit, do we remember when and where?

Acts 10:45 “AND THEY OF THE CIRCUMCISION WHICH BELIEVED WERE ASTONISHED, AS MANY AS CAME WITH PETER, BECAUSE THAT ON THE GENTILES ALSO WAS POURED OUT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.”

v18. “AND ON MY SERVANTS AND ON MY HANDMAIDENS I WILL POUR OUT IN THOSE DAYS OF MY SPIRIT; AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY:”

Where do we have record of women being specifically included in the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Acts 21:8-9 “AND THE NEXT day WE THAT WERE OF PAUL’S COMPANY DEPARTED, AND CAME UNTO CAESAREA: AND WE ENTERED INTO THE HOUSE OF PHILIP THE EVANGELIST, WHICH WAS one OF THE SEVEN; AND ABODE WITH HIM. AND THE SAME MAN HAD FOUR DAUGHTERS, VIRGINS, WHICH DID PROPHESY.”

There were others, of course, that had certain powers and we can read about those in the epistles of Paul but the following is sufficient to our need:

I Corinthians 12:28 “AND GOD HATH SET SOME IN THE CHURCH, FIRST APOSTLES, SECONDARILY PROPHETS, THIRDLY TEACHERS, AFTER THAT MIRACLES, THEN GIFTS OF HEALING, HELPS, GOVERNMENTS, DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES.”

I Corinthians 12:8-10 “FOR TO ONE IS GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT THE WORD OF WISDOM; TO ANOTHER THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE BY THE SAME SPIRIT; TO ANOTHER FAITH BY THE SAME SPIRIT; TO ANOTHER THE GIFTS OF HEALING BY THE SAME SPIRIT; TO ANOTHER THE WORKING OF MIRACLES; TO ANOTHER PROPHECY; TO ANOTHER DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; TO ANOTHER divers KINDS OF TONGUES; TO ANOTHER THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES:”

Why would some be given the power to interpret tongues, did they need someone to explain what someone was saying when they spoke in tongues? In the synagogues and gatherings of the early church there were people present that were visitors or strangers. People were driven to different areas by famine and persecution, such as Priscilla and Aquilla. Interpreters would be needed just as they are today where diverse peoples gather in major cities of the world.

v19. “AND I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN HEAVEN ABOVE, AND SIGNS IN THE EARTH BENEATH; BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOUR OF SMOKE:”

This is a direct quote of Joel 2:30 and many signs and wonders were performed by Jesus during his ministry with more to follow by the apostles.

v20. “THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THAT GREAT AND NOTABLE DAY OF THE LORD COME:”

This is similar language to that which Jesus used to describe both the destruction of Jerusalem and his second coming. What would this language indicate? That we have indeed entered the “last days” or the last dispensation of the time that God has given mankind. We also have some similarity with what happened when Jesus died:

Luke 23:44-45 “AND IT WAS ABOUT THE SIXTH HOUR, AND THERE WAS A DARKNESS OVER ALL THE EARTH UNTIL THE NINETH HOUR. AND THE SUN WAS DARKENED, AND THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS RENT IN THE MIDST.”

v21. “AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, that WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”

Paul repeats these very words in:

Romans 10:13 “FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”

How do we call upon the name of the Lord? What do we do to “call upon the name of the Lord?”

Romans 10:14-15 “HOW THEN SHALL THEY CALL ON HIM IN WHOM THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED? AND HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM OF WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH, EXCEPT THEY BE SENT? AS IT IS WRITTEN, HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THEM THAT PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, AND BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!"

That makes the “calling” pretty simple doesn’t it? A preacher is sent, or comes, we hear, believe, and then what? Repent, confess Christ, and are baptized calling upon God to forgive us of our past sins. And then we continue to call upon God through our prayers, seeking strength to live as a Christian, working at living the Christian life but also continuing to seek his forgiveness and our salvation from the sins we will continue to commit simply because we human beings and not without sin. Then Peter completes the introduction of his lesson and gets into the main purpose.

v22. “YE MEN OF ISRAEL, HEAR THESE WORDS; JESUS OF NAZARETH, A MAN APPROVED OF GOD AMONG YOU BY MIRACLES AND WONDERS AND SIGNS, WHICH GOD DID BY HIM IN THE MIDST OF YOU, AS YE YOURSELVES ALSO KNOW:”

Jesus showed us without any doubt that he was approved of God by the miracles he performed didn’t he? Many of the Jews saw his miracles and believed in him including Nicodemus, a Pharisee and one of the leaders of Judaea.

John 3:2 “THE SAME CAME TO JESUS BY NIGHT, AND SAID UNTO HIM RABBI, WE KNOW THAT THOU ART A TEACHER COME FROM GOD: FOR NO MAN CAN DO THESE MIRACLES THAT THOU DOEST, EXCEPT GOD BE WITH HIM.”

And Jesus testified in his own behalf and verified his source of power to perform miracles as being God.

John 14:10-11 “BELIEVEST THOU NOT THAT I AM IN THE FATHER, AND THE FATHER IN ME? THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO YOU I SPEAK NOT OF MYSELF: BUT THE FATHER THAT DWELLETH IN ME, HE DOETH THE WORKS. BELIEVE ME THAT I am IN THE FATHER, AND THE FATHER IN ME: OR ELSE BELIEVE ME FOR THE VERY WORKS’ SAKE.”

The Hebrew writer also testifies this wonderful opportunity for our soul’s salvation must not be neglected and that its source has been confirmed:

Hebrews 2:3-4 “HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE, OF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION; WHICH AT THE FIRST BEGAN TO BE SPOKEN BY THE LORD, AND WAS CONFIRMED UNTO US BY THEM THAT HEARD him; GOD ALSO BEARING them WITNESS, BOTH WITH SIGNS AND WONDERS, AND WITH DIVERS MIRACLES, AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST, ACCORDING TO HIS OWN WILL?”

v23. “HIM, BEING DELIVERED BY THE DETERMINATE COUNSEL AND FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD, YE HAVE TAKEN AND BY WICKED HANDS HAVE CRUCIFIED AND SLAIN:”

The betrayal and delivery of Jesus by the council to be crucified was a definite plan that had been made by God, reported by the prophets and accomplished willingly by Jesus. He knew who would betray him:

Matthew 26:21-22 “AND AS THEY DID EAT, HE SAID, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT ONE OF YOU SHALL BETRAY ME. AND THEY WERE EXCEEDING SORROWFUL, AND BEGAN EVERY ONE OF THEM TO SAY UNTO HIM, LORD, IS IT I?”

God’s plan must be fulfilled. For 4000 years the world has been guided to this point in its history for the sole purpose of providing a remedy for sin. A means of removing the spiritual effects of sin, a means of cleansing man’s soul so that he would be fit to spend eternity with God.

Luke 24:44 “AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, THESE are THE WORDS WHICH I SPAKE UNTO YOU, WHILE I WAS YET WITH YOU, THAT ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED, WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES, AND in THE PROPHETS, AND in THE PSALMS, CONCERNING ME.”

v24. “WHOM GOD HATH RAISED UP, HAVING LOOSED THE PAINS OF DEATH: BECAUSE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE THAT HE SHOULD BE HOLDEN OF IT.”

Just as God had delivered his son into the hands of the Jews to be sacrificed for our sins, he also raised him up again. We have that fact repeated over and over in the preaching of the apostles:

Acts 4:10 “BE IT KNOWN UNTO YOU ALL, AND TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THAT BY THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WHOM YE CRUCIFIED, WHOM GOD RAISED FROM THE DEAD, even BY HIM DOTH HIS MAN STAND HERE BEFORE YOU WHOLE.”

Acts 10:40 “HIM GOD RAISED UP THE THIRD DAY, AND SHOWED HIM OPENLY.”

Acts 17:31 “BECAUSE HE HATH APPOINTED A DAY, IN THE WHICH HE WILL JUDGE THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS BY that MAN WHOM HE HATH ORDAINED, whereof HE HATH GIVEN ASSURANCE UNTO ALL men, IN THAT HE HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD.”

I Corinthians 15:15 “YEA, AND WE ARE FOUND FALSE WITNESSES OF GOD; BECAUSE WE HAVE TESTIFIED OF GOD THAT HE RAISED UP CHRIST: WHOM HE RAISED NOT UP, IF SO BE THAT THE DEAD RISE NOT.”

v25. “FOR DAVID SPEAKETH CONCERNING HIM, I FORESAW THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE MY FACE, FOR HE IS ON MY RIGHT HAND, THAT I SHOULD NOT BE MOVED:”

Peter here declares that David’s words in Psalms 16:8-11 are words of prophecy and that David spoke specifically of this Jesus of Nazareth:

Psalms 16:8 “I HAVE SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE ME: BECAUSE he is AT MY RIGHT HAND, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED.”

v26. “THEREFORE DID MY HEART REJOICE, AND MY TONGUE WAS GLAD; MOVEOVER ALSO MY FLESH SHALL REST IN HOPE:”

David was buried right there in the city of Jerusalem and many people, even at this late date in the Jews history probably knew where the tomb was. But David, because of the sacrifice Jesus made could say that his heart rejoiced, his tongue was glad and his flesh or his bones would rest in peace.

v27. “BECAUSE THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL, NEITHER WILT THOU SUFFER THINE HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.”

Jesus would not be allowed to “see corruption”, his body would not be in the grave long enough to decay. Is hell the proper translation in this particular verse? No, the correct translation would be Hades, the resting place of the dead awaiting judgment (Luke 16:19-31)

v28. “THOU HAST MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; THOU SHALT MAKE ME FULL OF JOY WITH THY COUNTENANCE.”

Joy! Joy in the knowledge that from his lineage, that is David’s, the Son of God would be brought into the world. Much the same as we find in:

Psalms 132:9-11 “LET THY PRIESTS BE CLOTHED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND LET THY SAINTS SHOUT FOR JOY. FOR THY SERVANT DAVID’S SAKE TURN NOT AWAY THE FACE OF THINE ANOINTED. THE LORD HATH SWORN in TRUTH UNTO DAVID; HE WILL NOT TURN FROM IT; OF THE FRUIT OF THY BODY WILL I SET UPON THY THRONE.”

v29. “MEN and BRETHREN, LET ME FREELY SPEAK UNTO YOU OF THE PATRIARCH DAVID, THAT HE IS BOTH DEAD AND BURIED, AND HIS SEPULCHRE IS WITH US UNTO THIS DAY.”

As we noted before, David’s grave was in the city of Jerusalem and by Peter’s words we know that many who were listening to him knew that and probably knew where his tomb was located.

I Kings 2:10 “SO DAVID SLEPT WITH HIS FATHERS, AND WAS BURIED IN THE CITY OF DAVID.”

v30. “THEREFORE BEING A PROPHET, AND KNOWING THAT GOD HAD SWORN WITH AN OATH TO HIM, THAT OF THE FRUIT OF HIS LOINS, ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, HE WOULD RAISE UP CHRIST TO SIT ON HIS THRONE;”

This prophecy is found:

II Samuel 7:12-13 “AND WHEN THY DAYS BE FULFILLED, AND THOU SHALT SLEEP WITH THY FATHERS, I WILL SET UP THY SEED AFTER THEE, WHICH SHALL PROCEED OUT OF THY BOWELS, AND I WILL ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM. HE SHALL BUILD AN HOUSE FOR MY NAME, AND I WILL STABLISH THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM FOR EVER.”

And the fulfillment is found in Luke’s other record:

Luke 1:30-32 “AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO HER, FEAR NOT, MARY: FOR THOU HAST FOUND FAVOUR WITH GOD. AND, BEHOLD, THOU SHALT CONCEIVE IN THY WOMB, AND BRING FORTH A SON, AND SHALT CALL HIS NAME JESUS. HE SHALL BE GREAT, AND SHALL BE CALLED THE SON OF THE HIGHEST: AND THE LORD GOD SHALL GIVE UNTO HIM THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID:”

v31. “HE SEEING THIS BEFORE SPAKE OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, THAT HIS SOUL WAS NOT LEFT IN HELL, NEITHER HIS FLESH DID SEE CORRUPTION.”

As noted earlier a better translation of the location here is Hades rather than Hell because Hades if the resting place of the dead and Hell is that place reserved for the punishment of the Satan and his followers. It refers to:

Psalms 16:10 “FOR THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL; NEITHER WILT THOU SUFFER THINE HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.”

Paul refers to this in his sermon at Antioch that is recorded in Acts 13:

Acts 13:34-35 “AND AS CONCERNING THAT HE RAISED HIM UP FROM THE DEAD, now NO MORE TO RETURN TO CORRUPTION, HE SAID ON THIS WISE, I WILL GIVE YOU THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID. WHEREFORE HE SAITH ALSO IN ANOTHER psalm, THOU SHALT NOT SUFFER THINE HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.”

v32. “THIS JESUS HATH GOD RAISED UP, WHEREOF WE ALL ARE WITNESSES.”

Peter has just testified that God had raised up this Jesus of Nazareth a few verses before:

Acts 2:24 “WHOM GOD HATH RAISED UP, HAVING LOOSED THE PAINS OF DEATH: BECAUSE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE THAT HE SHOULD BE HOLDEN OF IT.”

And he confirms to his hearers what Jesus had told them just before his ascension:

Acts 1:8 “BUT YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME BOTH IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDAEA, AND IN SAMARIA, AND UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH.”

v33. “THEREFORE BEING BY THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD EXALTED, AND HAVING RECEIVED OF THE FATHER THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST, HE HATH SHED FORTH THIS, WHICH YE NOW SEE AND HEAR.”

Hebrews 10:12 “BUT THIS SAME MAN, AFTER HE HAD OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOR EVER, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD;”

This same Jesus of Nazareth whom they will be told in a few minutes they crucified has not only been raised from the dead but now resides by the right hand of God. We find that fact being declared in other places early in the apostles preaching. When hauled before the council for preaching Jesus Peter and John said that they should obey God rather than men; then said:

“HIM HATH GOD EXALTED WITH HIS RIGHT HAND to be A PRINCE AND A SAVIOUR, FOR TO GIVE REPENTANCE TO ISRAEL, AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS.” Acts 5:31

What they are seeing and hearing that is amazing them so much is the result of Jesus sending, or as Peter puts it “shed forth” the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit and that is why they’re seeing what they’re seeing and hearing what they’re hearing in their own language. This isn’t the only place that men are amazed at the results of God’s intervention and outpouring of the Spirit:

Acts 10:45 “AND THEY OF THE CIRCUMCISION WHICH BELIEVED WERE ASTONISHED, AS MANY AS CAME WITH PETER, BECAUSE THAT ON THE GENTILES ALSO WAS POURED OUT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.”

And this is what Jesus had promised them as we’ve studied before:

John 14:26 “BUT THE COMFORTER, which is THE HOLY GHOST, WHOM THE FATHER WILL SEND IN MY NAME, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, AND BRING ALL THINGS TO YOUR REMEBERANCE, WHATSOEVER I HAVE SAID UNTO YOU.”

v34. “FOR DAVID IS NOT ASCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS: BUT HE SAITH HIMSELF, THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU ON MY RIGHT HAND.”

Psalms 110:1 “THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL.”

When Jesus asked the Pharisees what they thought of Christ and whose son he was the conversation went like this:

Matthew 22:42-44 “SAYING, WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST? WHOSE SON IS HE? THEY SAY UNTO HIM, the son OF DAVID. HE SAITH UNTO THEM, HOW THEN DOTH DAVID IN SPIRIT CALL HIM LORD, SAYING, THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU ON MY RIGHT HAND, TILL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL?”

Peter is quoting from Psalms 110, the last phrase of which appears here as verse 35:

v35. “UNTIL I MAKE THY FOES THY FOOTSTOOL.”

Paul describes it this way in to the Corinthian brethren in this great resurrection chapter:

I Corinthians 15:23-25 “BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; AFTERWARD THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING. THEN cometh THE END, WHEN HE SHALL HAVE DELIVERED UP THE KINGDOM TO GOD, EVEN THE FATHER; WHEN HE SHALL HAVE PUT DOWN ALL RULE AND ALL AUTHORITY AND POWER. FOR HE MUST REIGN, TILL HE HATH PUT ALL ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET. THE LAST ENEMY that SHALL BE DESTROYED is DEATH.”

v36. “THEREFORE LET ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL KNOW ASSUREDLY, THAT GOD HATH MADE THAT SAME JESUS, WHOM YE HAVE CRUCIFIED, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST.”

Peter isn’t just saying let all the house of Israel know, but let all of the house of Israel know assuredly, be sure, accept the evidence presented that this Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the LORD that David referred to; that not only was his son in the flesh but his LORD, his ruler.

Read Acts 2:37-40:

v37. “NOW WHEN THEY HEARD this, THEY WERE PRICKED IN THEIR HEART, AND SAID UNTO PETER AND TO THE REST OF THE APOSTLES, MEN and BRETHREN, WHAT SHALL WE DO?”

Part of what we have here is another fulfillment of prophecy:

Zechariah 12:10 “AND I WILL POUR UPON THE HOUSE OF DAVID, AND UPON THE INHABITANTS OF JERUSALEM, THE SPIRIT OF GRACE AND OF SUPPLICATIONS: AND THEY SHALL LOOK UPON ME WHOM THEY HAVE PIERCED, AND THEY SHALL MOURN FOR HIM, AS ONE MOURNETH FOR his ONLY son, AND SHALL BE IN BITTERNESS FOR HIM, AS ONE THAT IS IN BITTERNESS FOR his FIRSTBORN.”

But the real importance of this verse is in the response from the people who were listening. They have been confronted with the enormity of their sin. The scripture says they were “pricked” in their heart. I think we all know what that word “pricked” means, especially any ladies that have done sewing or any men who have tried to sew. They have been tried and convicted of sacrificing the Son of God, not in a court of law but in their own hearts, their reaction is the same as found in other places, those who heard John the Baptiizer

Luke 3:9-10 “AND NOW ALSO THE AXE IS LAID UNTO THE ROOT OF THE TREES: EVERY TREE THEREFORE WHICH BRINGETH NOT FORTH GOOD FRUIT IS HEWN DOWN, AND CAST INTO THE FIRE. AND THE PEOPLE ASKED HIM, SAYING, WHAT SHALL WE DO THEN?”

Saul on the road to Damascus:

Acts 9:6 “AND HE TREMBLING AND ASTONISHED SAID, LORD, WHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO? AND THE LORD said UNTO HIM, ARISE, AND GO INTO THE CITY, AND IT SHALL BE TOLD THEE WHAT THOU MUST DO.”

The jailer at Philippi:

Acts 16:29-30 “THEN HE CALLED FOR A LIGHT, AND SPANG IN, AND CAME TREMBLING, AND FELL DOWN BEFORE PAUL AND SILAS, AND BROUGHT THEM OUT, AND SAID, SIRS WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?”

These Jews were convicted of their sin and wanted to know what to do. Peter didn’t leave them in the dark.

v38. “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.”

This is a verse of scripture that many of us can quote just from hearing it so much from our pulpits. First this is a fulfillment of Jesus words:

Luke 24:46-47 “AND SAID UNTO THEM, THUS IT IS WRITTEN, AND THUS IT BEHOVED CHRIST TO SUFFER, AND TO RISE FROM THE DEAD THE THIRD DAY: AND THAT REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME AMONG ALL NATIONS, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.”

Peter told them to repent, what does that word mean? To turn away from what you’re doing, to quit, to change, in this case and most others we find in the New Testament the one who repents turns away from whatever is in their lives that is sin. Jesus tells us that it is necessary:

“THERE WERE PRESENT AT THAT SEASON SOME THAT TOLD HIM OF THE GALILAEANS, WHOSE BLOOD PILATE HAD MINGLED WITH THEIR SACRIFICES. AND JESUS ANSWERING SAID UNTO THEM, SUPPOSE YE THAT THESE GALILAEANS WERE SINNERS ABOVE ALL THE GALILAEANS, BECAUSE THEY SUFFERED SUCH THINGS? I TELL YOU, NAY: BUT, EXCEPT YE REPENT, YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH.” Luke 13:1-3

And verse four and five in Luke’s record Jesus gives us another example and another admonition to repent or perish. John tells his hearers to repent in Matthew 3:2, bring forth fruits meet for repentance in Matthew 3:8 and when Jesus begins his ministry he continues to preach the same thing:

Matthew 4:17 “FROM THAT TIME JESUS BEGAN TO PREACH, AND TO SAY, REPENT: FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.”

Secondly, after repenting, Peter said to be baptized. This too is from the teaching of both John and Jesus. John gives the first record of baptism in scripture that I’m aware of, introducing the world to this symbol of regeneration or washing clean:

Matthew 3:11 “I INDEED BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER UNTO REPENTANCE: BUT HE THAT COMETH AFTER ME IS MIGHTIER THAN I, WHOSE SHOES I AM NOT WORTHY TO BEAR: HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST, AND with FIRE.”

Jesus commanded it, first explaining its purpose:

John 3:5 “JESUS ANSWERED, VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN OF WATER AND of THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”

Later in his ministry he tells us how we are to be born of water:

Mark 16:16 “HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED.”

With this repentance and baptism comes the remission of sins but not all people believe that do they? Some people, in order to justify their personal beliefs and teaching, say that baptism is really not necessary for the remission of our sins but we do it rather because we’ve already been saved by our faith or belief. They would have it translated that we should be baptized “because of” rather than “unto” the remission of sins and many of our brethren are joining them. That’s how they can justify being in fellowship with the denominationalists that teach this doctrine, such as Billy Graham and others. But if you wish to study the words of the translators and Bible scholars down through history you will find no basis for their contention. In fact if you have access to a copy of the H. Leo Boles commentary on the book of Acts, he lists 24 scholars and how they translate the Greek word “Eis” here. They all without exception translate it “for”, “unto”, “in order to”, “purpose”, “to or toward”, or some other such words in our English language that means the same thing as for or unto. While we do not depend upon the teachings of men for the salvation of our souls we must depend upon men for the correct translation of God’s Word from the languages in which is was written into the language that we use. These men, all denominationalists but honest scholars, include such as Adam Clarke, Strong, Thayer and others, and are in complete harmony here.

Finally we get to the final phrase in the verse: “AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.” There has been much controversy over what that means. Are we promised the Holy Spirit in the same measure as the apostles or in “the ordinary measure that belonged to all Christians.” If the gift is the remissions of our sins, or the cleansing of our souls, that is readily understandable and in harmony with the rest of scripture. If the gift is the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit, then it applies only to those in the first century as that power or gift is not known among men today, baptized or otherwise. That application would also eliminate Peter’s command from being universally applied to mankind today which is also not in harmony with the rest of scripture.

If it is indeed universal and applicable to all men who obey, both then and today, then today it can only come through the Word of God and is not miraculous at all. In order to harmonize this with the rest of scripture I don’t see any basis for it being miraculous and do see that it must be universal to all mankind, not just those being spoken to by Peter. Therefore it is a gift given by the Holy Spirit, not a give of the Holy Spirit.

v39. “FOR THE PROMISE IS UNTO YOU, AND TO YOUR CHILDREN, AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF, even AS MANY AS THE LORD OR GOD SHALL CALL.”

First of all the promise was to them and their children and we go back to Joel to confirm that:

Joel 2:28 “AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS AFTERWARD, that I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS.”

Peter here answers the universality of remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost and that is to “AS MANY AS THE LORD OF GOD SHALL CALL.” And how many does he call? He calls everyone, of course. They would not have understood that at this time but that also included more than Jews:

Acts 10:45 “AND THEY OF THE CIRCUMCISION WHICH BELIEVED WERE ASTONISHED, AS MANY AS CAME WITH PETER, BECAUSE THAT ON THE GENTILES ALSO WAS POURED OUT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.”

When Paul returned from his first missionary journey around the Mediterranean, he returned to Antioch to report as many missionaries will do yet today. We find that report:

Acts 14:27 “AND WHEN THEY WERE COME, AND HAD GATHERED THE CHURCH TOGETHER, THEY REHEARSED ALL THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM, AND HOW HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES.”

We also find language in Paul’s writing that reminds us that:

Ephesians 2:13 ‘BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS YE WHO SOMETIMES WERE FAR OFF ARE MADE NIGH BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.”

v40. “AND WITH MANY OTHER WORDS DID HE TESTIFY AND EXHORT, SAYING, SAVE YOURSELVES FROM THIS UNTOWARD GENERATION.”

As is common to the teachings of Jesus, Luke did not record everything that Peter said on that day but only that sufficient for our need. In the ASV the word untoward in the KJV is translated “crooked” and in the Greek there it is a word that means not straight, i.e. crooked. We’re told that these people were ‘“crooked” mentally, morally, and spiritually, since they were unbelieving Jews who had crucified their Messiah.” Sort of sounds like mankind of today who are mentally, morally, spiritually crooked and crucify Jesus afresh as we find in Hebrews 6:6, KJV.

Read Acts 2:41-47

v41. “THEN THEY THAT GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED: AND THE SAME DAY THERE WERE ADDED unto them ABOUT THREE THOUSAND SOULS.”

They that received his words were baptized, some versions say gladly, some don’t because not all the ancient manuscripts have the work gladly in their text, some don’t, it’s not that important. Men who receive Christ today, receive him the same way, through the teaching of His word:

Luke 10:16 “HE THAT HEARETH YOU HEARTH ME; AND HE THAT DESPISETH YOU DISPISETH ME; AND THE THAT DESPISETH ME DESPISETH HIM THAT SENT ME.”

John 13:20 “VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, HE THAT RECEIVETH WHOMSOEVER I SEND RECEIVETH ME; AND HE THAT RECEIVETH ME RECEIVETH HIM THAT SENT ME.”

v42. “AND THEY CONTINUED STEDFASTLY IN THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE AND FELLOWSHIP, AND IN BREAKING OF BREAD, AND IN PRAYERS.”

We find four things here that the early church did: continued in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. In fact in a Sunday morning Bible school lesson at the Garden City church of Christ during a lectureship, Brother James Barnes used the book of Acts to outline God’s plan for a strong church and one of his points was that they “CONTINUED STEDFASTLY IN THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE.” What does that mean? Jesus tells us:

Matthew 28:20 “TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: AND , LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE ENDOF THE WORLD. AMEN.”

What do we mean by fellowship? Leo Boles says “common interest and mutual participation in those things which concern the welfare of each other.” I might add this applies to physical welfare as well as spiritual welfare. Can we be in fellowship with those out of fellowship with God and be in fellowship with God at the same time? No.

What do we mean by the breaking of bread? We’re told that the Greek used here “Klasei” which is used only by Luke and used to designate the breaking of bread in the Lord’s Supper. Consequently we can see that they continued steadfastly to keep the memorial that Jesus established.

Prayer simply means that they prayed together, that every gathering for study or worship included prayer. Remember that under the Mosaic Law prayer could be offered only at certain times and that was the common Jewish practice, hence the reason for the gathering at the temple on Pentecost in the first place. It was the third hour when Peter spoke, that is the hour of prayer. Now they prayed at other times as well, continually, on many occasions or as Paul told the Thessalonians in I Thessalonians 5:17 “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.”

v43. “AND FEAR CAME UPON EVERY SOUL: AND MANY WONDERS AND SIGNS WERE DONE BY THE APOSTLES.”

What does the word fear mean here? It means amazement, awe, respect, or reverence. Even those who did not repent stood in amazement at the signs and wonders that the apostles performed, but that was God’s plan wasn’t it? Jesus tells us that:

Mark 16:17-18 “AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; AND IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING, IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER.”

Acts 5:12 “AND BY THE HANDS OF THE APOSTLES WERE MANY SIGNS AND WONDERS WROUGHT AMONG THE PEOPLE; (AND THEY WERE ALL WITH ONE ACCORD IN SOLOMON’S PORCH).”

v44. “AND ALL THAT BELIEVED WERE TOGETHER, AND HAD ALL THINGS COMMON.”

What does Luke mean by them having all things common? There are two verses further along that go into more detail:

Acts 4:32 “AND THE MULTITUDE OF THEM THAT BELIEVED WERE OF ONE HEART AND OF ONE SOUL: NEITHER SAID ANY of them THAT OUGHT OF THE THINGS WHICH HE POSSESSED WAS HIS OWN; BUT THEY HAD ALL THINGS COMMON.”

Acts 4:34 “NEITHER WAS THERE ANY AMONG THEM THAT LACKED: FOR AS MANY AS WERE POSSESSORS OF LANDS OR HOUSES SOLD THEM, AND BROUGHT THE PRICES OF THE THINGS THAT WERE SOLD.”

Spiritually they were of one mind, physically they had all things common, one didn’t lack for basic needs as others supplied whatever was needed.

v45. “AND SOLD THEIR POSSESSIONS AND GOODS, AND PARTED THEM TO ALL men, AS EVERY MAN HAD NEED.”

This seems to indicate that they all sold all of their possessions and held everything in common, but is that what it really means? Or does it mean that everyone had a mind to share whatever was needed, the way most Christians would today for those brethren who have need? We’re taught benevolence and to be concerned for the welfare of each other but not necessarily that we are to adopt a communistic type of existence just because we’re Christians. I use the term communistic because that is the ideal of that particular form of government, however, it was a miserable failure in actual practice. Still we have a responsibility:

I John 3:17 “BUT WHOSO HATH THIS WORLD’S GOOD, AND SEETH HIS BROTHER HAVE NEED, AND SHUTTETH UP HIS BOWELS of compassion FROM HIM, HOW DWELLETH THE LOVE OF GOD IN HIM?”

v46. “AND THEY, CONTINUING DAILY WITH ONE ACCORD IN THE TEMPLE, AND BREAKING BREAD FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, DID EAT THEIR MEAT WITH GLADNESS AND SINGLENESS OF HEART.”

The apostles, the disciples of Jesus and those who were converted on Pentecost continued daily in the temple. Luke had already mentioned this in the last verse of his prior treatise:

Luke 24:53 “AND WERE CONTINUALLY IN THE TEMPLE, PRAISING AND BLESSING GOD. AMEN.”

They were of one accord, of one mind; another characteristic that we would do well to imitate today.

Acts 1:14 “THESE ALL CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD IN PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THE WOMEN, AND MARY THE MOTHER OF JESUS, AND WITH HIS BRETHREN.”

Paul wrote to the Romans “THAT YE MAY WITH ONE MIND and ONE MOUTH GLORIFY GOD, EVEN THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Romans 15:6

To the Corinthians “FINALLY, BRETHREN, FAREWELL. BE PERFECT, BE OF GOOD CONDUCT, BE OF ONE MIND, LIVE IN PEACE; AND THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU.” II Corinthians 13:11

To the Philippians “FULFILL YE MY JOY, THAT YE BE LIKEMINDED, HAVING THE SAME LOVE, being OF ONE ACCORD, OF ONE MIND.” Philippians 2:2

Peter wrote to all of us in general: “FINALLY, be ye ALL OF ONE MIND, HAVING COMPASSION ONE OF ANOTHER, LOVE AS BRETHREN, be PITIFUL, be COURTEUS:” I Peter 3:8

and they ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

v47. “PRAISING GOD, AND HAVING FAVOUR WITH ALL THE PEOPLE. AND THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY SUCH AS SHOULD BE SAVED.”

Romans 14:18 “FOR HE THAT IN THESE THINGS SERVETH CHRIST is ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, AND APPROVED OF MEN.”

What did you say Paul? Righteous men have favour with the people? Christians are held up as examples, sought after in business (if that business is honest) and Christian virtues are held in high esteem in policy if not in practice. As a corporation the General Motors organization has embraced integrity as one of the key factors of their success. They still have people who could a much better job of practicing their policy, but then, that is true anywhere you go.

As a result of their having favor with the people:

Acts 4:33 “AND WITH GREAT POWER GAVE THE APOSTLES WITNESS OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS: AND GREAT GRACE WAS UPON THEM ALL.”

Acts 5:14 “(AND BELIEVERS WERE THE MORE ADDED TO THE LORD, MULTITUDES BOTH OF MEN AND WOMEN.)”