1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2Suddenly a sound like the rushing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3They saw what appeared to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability.
5At that time there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.
6When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each person heard them speaking in their own language.
7They were completely amazed and said, "Look — aren't all these people who are speaking from Galilee?
8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our own native language?
9Parthians, Medes, Elamites; people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,
10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the regions of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome —
11both Jews and converts to Judaism — Cretans and Arabs — we all hear them speaking about the mighty works of God in our own languages!"
12They were all astonished and puzzled, asking each other, "What does this mean?"
13But others made fun of them and said, "They've had too much wine."
14Then Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and spoke to the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all who are in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I say.
15These people are not drunk as you suppose — it's only nine in the morning!
16No, 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.
18Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below — blood, fire, and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
22People of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you through miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
23This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge, and you — with the help of lawless men — put him to death by nailing him to a cross.
24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
25David said about him: 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope,
27because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
29Brothers and sisters, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.
30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that one of his own descendants would sit on his throne.
31Seeing 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.
32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
33Exalted 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.
34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand
35until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'
36Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah."
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"
38Peter replied, "Each of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39This promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away — for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40With many other words he warned them and pleaded with them: "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand people were added to their number that day.
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles.
44All the believers were together and held everything in common.
45They sold their property and possessions and distributed the proceeds to anyone who had a need.
46Every day they met together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.