Part One: The Resurrection-Pentecost Narrative

Introduction

The question of who first received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit (also called the “Gift of the Holy Spirit”) on the Day of Pentecost has been debated by Bible students, theologians, and scholars for over a century. There are different views regarding whether the Holy Spirit was promised and given only to the apostles on that day (the “Apostles-Only View”) or if all 120 followers of Jesus mentioned in Acts 1:15, or all the assembled disciples, received the Holy Spirit. This article will analyze the Apostles-Only View and challenge it on the basis of solid biblical, exegetical, logical, and interpretive principles. Before engaging with the exegetical claims of supporters of the Apostles-Only Perspective and providing detailed responses, I will offer a well-researched overview of theologians’ perspectives throughout church history, giving historical and theological context for the debate. This list will include early church theologians as well as writers, speakers, and scholars up through the 21st century. While I aim for this list to be comprehensive, I acknowledge it may not include every contribution. If you know of any commentaries, writers, or theologians who have addressed this topic and are not listed, please get in touch with me. I am happy to add to the list.

Let’s begin by reading the entire primary text supporting this debate, as it provides important context and key details for understanding the discussion. Keep in mind that other passages are addressing this exact question. While reading this text, I encourage you to try to identify who the first recipients of the Holy Spirit are. However, remember that although this is the main text, it does not tell the full story. I will be quoting from the American Standard Version with updated English: American English Standard Version (AESV).

Acts 1 (AESV)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

(1) The former account I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, (2) until the day he was taken up, after he had given commandments through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen, (3) to whom he also showed himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. (4) And, while assembled with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said you heard from me. (5) For John truly baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.

The Ascension

(6) So when they came together, they asked him, saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (7) And he said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. (8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, throughout all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (9) After saying this, he was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (10) As they were gazing into heaven, watching him go, two men in white apparel appeared beside them. (11) They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him go.”

Mathias Chosen to Replace Judas

(12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. (13) When they arrived, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, John, James, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus; Simon the Zealot; and Judas son of James. (14) They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (15) And on these days, Peter stood up among the brothers, and said (and there was a crowd of about a hundred and twenty people gathered together). (16) Brethren, it was necessary for the scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the guide to those who took Jesus. (17) For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. (18)  (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. (19) It became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so much so that in their language that field was called Akeldama, which means The field of blood. (20) For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his habitation be made desolate, and let no man dwell therein,” and, “His office let another take.” (21) Therefore, of the men who have been with us all the time the Lord Jesus was among us, (22) from the Baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” (23) So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. (24) Then they prayed, and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show us which of these two you have chosen, (25) to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, so that he might go to his own place.” (26) They cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Acts 2 (AESV)

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

(1) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. (2) Suddenly, a sound like a rushing mighty wind came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. (3) Tongues appeared to them, parting like flames of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. (5) Now, there were Jews living in Jerusalem—devout men from every nation under heaven. (6) When they heard this sound, the crowd gathered together and was bewildered because each of them heard their own language being spoken. (7) They were all amazed and wondered, saying to each other, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?” (8) And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native languages? (9) Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, (10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and parts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as visitors from Rome—both Jews and proselytes—(11) Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (12) They were all amazed and perplexed, asking one another, “What does this mean?” (13) But others ridiculed them, saying, “They are filled with new wine.”Paragraph Two

Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost

(14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, saying, “You men of Judaea, and all of you who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and listen to my words. (15) For these are not drunk, as you suppose; seeing it is only the third hour of the day; (16) but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: (17) ‘And it shall be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; (18) and on my servants and on my maidens I will pour out of my Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy. (19) And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. (20) The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord comes. (21) And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (22) Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God among you through mighty works, wonders, and signs which God did by him in your midst, as you yourselves know. (23) This man, being handed over by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hand of lawless men. (24) But God raised him up, freeing him from the anguish of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. (25) For David says concerning him, “I saw the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (26) Therefore, my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover, my flesh will also dwell in hope. (27) For you will not leave my soul in Hades, nor allow your Holy One to see decay. (28) You have made known to me the ways of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. (29) Brothers, I can tell you confidently about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. (30) Being a prophet himself and knowing that God had sworn an oath to him that he would place one of his descendants on his throne, (31) he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of Christ—that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see decay. (32) This Jesus God raised up, and we are all witnesses to it. (33) Therefore, being exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear. (34) For David did not ascend into heaven. Still, himself says, “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, (35) until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (36) Therefore, let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.

The Responding Crowd

(37) Now, when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts and asked Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” (38) And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (39) For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (40) And with many other words, he testified and encouraged them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (41) They then that received his word were baptized, and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.

The Fellowship of Believers

(42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; (45) and they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, as any had need. (46) And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they ate with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them daily those who were being saved.

____________

To gain a complete understanding of the Pentecost narrative, the following passage should be considered. When we begin the exegetical arguments later in this article, it will become clear why this text needs to be included.

Luke 24:1-53 (AESV)

The Resurrection

(1) But on the first day of the week, early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. (2) And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. (3) And they entered, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (4) While they were puzzled about this, behold, two men stood beside them in dazzling apparel. (5) As they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” (6) He is not here; he has risen. Remember how he told you while he was in Galilee, (7) that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” (8) Then they remembered his words. (9) They returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven apostles and to all the others. (10) It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. (11) Their words seemed like idle talk to them, and they did not believe. (12) But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping in, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves. Then he left for home, wondering about what had happened.

Jesus Appears on the Road to Emmaus

(13) And behold, two of them were walking that very day to a village called Emmaus, which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. (14) And they discussed all these things that had happened. (15) And it came to pass, while they discussed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near and went with them. (16) But their eyes were held so they should not recognize him. (17) And he said unto them, “What communications are these that you have one with another, as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. (18) And one of them, named Cleopas, answering, said unto him, “Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?” (19) And he said unto them, “What things?” And they said to him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet powerful in deed and word before God and all the people. (20) And how the chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. (21) But we had hoped that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. (22) Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us; they were early at the tomb. (23) And when they did not find his body, they came and told us that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. (24) And some of those with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him. (25) And he said to them, O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! (26) Was it not necessary for Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory? (27) And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them everything in the scriptures concerning himself. (28) And they drew near to the village where they were going, and he acted as if he would go further. (29) But they urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is evening, and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. (30) When he sat down with them to eat, he took the bread, blessed it, and broke it, then gave it to them. (31) Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; then he vanished from their sight. (32) They said to each other, “Was not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (33) That same hour, they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and those with them gathered together, (34) saying, “The Lord has truly risen and has appeared to Simon.” (35) Then they told what had happened on the way and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

Jesus Appears to Many Disciples

(36) And as they spoke these things, he himself stood in the midst of them and said unto them, “Peace be unto you.” (37), But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that they beheld a spirit. (38) And he said unto them, “Why are you troubled? And wherefore do questions arise in your hearts?” (39) See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you behold me having. (40) And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. (41) And while they still disbelieved for joy and wondered, he said unto them, “Have you here anything to eat?” (42) And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. (43) And he took it, and ate before them. (44) And he said unto them, “These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.” (45) Then opened he their mind that they might understand the scriptures; (46) and he said unto them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (48) You are witnesses of these things. (49) And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry you in the city until you be clothed with power from on high.

The Ascension

(50) And he led them out until they were opposite Bethany; then he lifted up his hands and blessed them. (51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. (53) And they were continually in the temple, blessing God.

____________

What is your understanding of the passage? After carefully reading all of the above, do you think that only the apostles were initially chosen to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit? Before answering, review both passages thoroughly and consider all relevant context, then trace the pronouns back to their original antecedents. Write your answer in the response section. We will examine these passages, as well as others, in the article’s exegetical section.

Now, let us proceed to the Pre-Reformation writers who mention the topic.