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Report a TypoActs ◦ Chapter 2
1On the day of Pentecost, the believers gathered together in one place.2Without warning, there was the sound of a mighty wind coming from heaven, and it filled the entire house where they were.3They saw two separate streams of fire — the fires of truth and love — emanating from God, which flowed out and flowed into each one of them.4They were all infused with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages, as the Spirit enabled them.5Because of the Pentecost holiday, there were honest-hearted, God-seeking Jews from all over the world staying in Jerusalem.6The loud sound of the wind drew a curious crowd to the house, and people were initially confused, as each of them heard their own language being spoken.7Amazed at how clearly they heard their own language, they asked: "What's going on? Every one of them is Galilean,8so how is it that each of us hears them speaking perfectly well in our own native language?9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt and parts of Libya near Cyrene, travelers from Rome11(both genetic descendants of Abraham and converts to Judaism) as well as Cretans and Arabs-we all hear them declaring the wonderful Remedy from God's kingdom of love in our own languages!"12Confused and in wonder at the same time, they tried to figure out what was happening, asking each other, "What's going on? What does it mean?"13But there were some who ridiculed and criticized, saying, "They're just drunk!"14Then Peter stood up along with the other Eleven Ambassadors, and in a commanding voice spoke to the crowd: "My fellow Jews, and all people here in Jerusalem, listen to me, and I will explain this to you:15These men are not drunk. They haven't taken a drop of wine; it is only nine o'clock in the morning!16No! This is what God's spokesperson Joel said would happen:17" 'God says, In the last days I will pour my Spirit out on all people. Your sons and daughters will be spokespersons for me, telling the world of my Remedy; your young people will have a vision of my character of love that will motivate them to action; your elders will dream dreams of my kingdom of love.18And in those days, I will pour out my Spirit upon my spokespersons, both men and women, and they will tell the world the truth about me in the setting of the cosmic conflict over my methods of love.19I will grant wonders to appear in the sky, and evidences of change in the earth resulting in devastation, disaster, blood and smoke.20The sun will not give its usual light, and the moonlight will be seen as the color of blood before the day the Lord returns-that great and glorious day.21And everyone who relies upon the character of the Lord, partaking the Remedy he provided, will be healed.'22"People of Israel, listen to me: Jesus of Nazareth was confirmed as being God's agency on earth as evidenced by miracles, power over nature, wonders and signs — as you already know.23And you did exactly what God foreknew and foretold: You handed him over to evil men and helped them put him to death by nailing him to the cross.24But God caused Jesus to return to life. Through the selfless death of Jesus, God fulfilled his purpose of destroying the infection of fear and selfishness-that causes death-and restored his law of life into the humanity that Jesus assumed; therefore it was impossible for death to keep its hold upon Jesus.25As David said about him: 'I saw that God is before me for all eternity. Because he stands beside me, guarding me, I will not waver from my mission.26My heart rejoices, my mouth proclaims the glad tidings, and my body rests in hope,27because you will not leave me in the grave, nor will you allow your perfect Remedy to decompose.28You will make me known as the only way of life, and the joy of your life-giving presence in me will be overflowing.'29"Brothers and sisters, I tell you with absolute certainty, our ancestor King David died and was buried, and his body remains here in his tomb to this day.30But he was God's spokesman and knew that God promised him, with a solemn vow, that one of his descendants would be king.31Seeing future events, he spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah. ‘His body was not left to decompose in the grave.‘32It was this very Jesus whom God raised to life, and we-all of us!-are witnesses to the truthfulness of it, having seen him alive again.33He took his humanity to heaven and is exalted to God's right hand; and from the Father, he received the promised Holy Spirit whom he has poured out upon us. This is what you see and hear today.34For King David most certainly did not ascend into heaven, yet he said, 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on my right hand35until I place your enemies under your feet.'36"So let all God's people be certain of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Ruler and Remedy."37When the people heard this truth, they were convicted by it and sick over what they had done, so they asked Peter and the other ambassadors of Christ, "Oh, brothers, please tell us, what should we do now?"38Peter answered, "Turn away from fear and selfishness and be immersed in the Remedy–in the character of Jesus Christ–in order to be healed from sin and selfishness and be restored in heart and mind to love and unity with God. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39This promise of healing and restoration is for you and your children, and for all humanity, no matter how far off, for God invites everyone to be healed."40With many other examples he warned them, and pleaded with them: "Take the Remedy! Experience a new heart and save yourselves from the terminal condition of selfishness which is destroying this generation."41Those who partook of the Remedy demonstrated the beginning of their new life of love by being symbolically immersed in water; about three thousand were added to the number of those being healed that day.42They committed themselves to studying the truth taught by Christ’s ambassadors, encouraging each other, sharing meals together, and talking with God daily.43Everyone was filled with awe at the miracles performed and signs shown by Christ's ambassadors.44They were filled with love for one another and were united, sharing with each other what they had.45They sold what they owned and pooled their resources for the benefit of all, and provided for everyone's needs.46They fellowshipped and studied together in the temple courts each day. They had meals together in their homes, with hearts full of gladness and affection for each other,47giving praise to God. They were so kind and gentle that the people enjoyed having them around. And every day the Lord brought more people to them to partake of the Remedy and be healed.