On the Day of Pentecost, as they
were all together, suddenly, there came from heaven a sound like the
rushing blast of a mighty wind which filled the whole house where
they were seated. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak in a strange way and to cry aloud and shout.
When this was reported a crowd gathered, astonished and perplexed,
and asked one another, "What can it mean?" Others with a sneer said,
"They are full of new wine!"
But Peter, together with the eleven apostles, stood up and addressed
them: "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, understand this
and listen to what I say: these men are not drunk as you suppose,
for it is only nine in the morning, but this is what was foretold by
the prophet Joel:
"'In the last days,' God declared,
'I will pour out my Spirit on all mankind;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions.
"'And your old men shall dream dreams,
Even upon my slaves and slave-girls
In those days I will pour out my Spirit,
And they shall prophesy.'"
"Men of Israel, hear these words: By the help of lawless men you
nailed to the cross and murdered Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was
proved to be from God through the deeds of healing and the wonderful
acts which God performed by him among you, as you yourselves know.
But God released him from the bonds of death and raised him to life,
for death could not hold him. Lifted on high at God's right hand and
having received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has
poured it upon us as you now see and hear. Let the whole nation of
Israel know beyond a doubt that God has made this Jesus, whom you
crucified, both Lord and Christ."
When they heard this, their conscience troubled them, and they said
to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what are we to
do?" Peter answered, "Say that you are sorry for your sins, and let
each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins
may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,
for it is promised to you, and to your children, and to all in
distant lands, to any and to all whom the Lord our God shall call."
With many other words he warned and urged them to save themselves
from this wicked time. So those who believed what he taught were
baptized; and on that day about three thousand were added to the
brotherhood.