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"The Ancient Landmark"

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

Question: On the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, were only the 12 Apostles baptized with the Holy Spirit or were others such as the 120 of Acts 1? Or does it really make any difference whom received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost?

Answer:

Hello,
On the day of Pentecost, it was only the 12 who were baptized with the Holy Spirit, not the 120. This is apparent when we remember that Christ promised the Holy Spirit would come upon the apostles in Acts 1:8. Once Matthias was chosen to take the place of Judas as an apostle (Acts 1:26), we read that on the day of Pentecost, "they were all with one accord in one place" (Acts 2:1). Now, who is the "they"? The antecedent of "they" (Acts 2:1) is the apostles (Acts 1:26). These 12 were baptized with the Holy Spirit, and it was these 12 who spoke in other tongues "as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4). Remember also that when the people were shocked, and some accused them of being drunk (Acts 2:13), in defense, Peter stood up with "the eleven" (Acts 2:14) , not the 111, and preached Christ to the people (Acts 2:22-38).

You also asked whether it made a difference or not, and I would suggest to you that it does. It makes a difference because God made a distinction, and Christ promised the Holy Spirit to the apostles, not the 120. Really, it goes back to whether we wish to handle God's word accurately, or not (II Tim. 2:15). If we wish to handle God's word accurately, then when God states things in a specific way, then we will respect that and not add to it or take from it.

I appreciate your writing, and thank you for visiting the web site. I hope this answer will help you in your Bible study.

Sincerely,
Jarrod Jacobs

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