Acts 2

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were…” The line’s distinctive content terms include filled, heaven, house. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” The line’s distinctive content terms include appeared, cloven, each. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them…” Naming Ghost and Holy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” Naming Jerusalem and Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them…” The line’s distinctive content terms include abroad, confounded, language. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and…” Naming Asia and Cappadocia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,” Naming Cyrene and Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” Naming Arabians and Cretes keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.” Naming Others keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that…” Naming Jerusalem and Jud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;” Naming Joel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:” The line’s distinctive content terms include beneath, blood, earth. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have…” Naming Him keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his…” Naming David and Men keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Until I make thy foes thy footstool.” Naming Until keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” Naming Save keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” The line’s distinctive content terms include apostles, bread, breaking. Its relationship to verses 41 and 43 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” The line’s distinctive content terms include apostles, fear, signs. Its relationship to verses 42 and 44 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And all that believed were together, and had all things common;” The line’s distinctive content terms include believed, common. Its relationship to verses 43 and 45 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” The line’s distinctive content terms include goods, need, parted. Its relationship to verses 44 and 46 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” The verse names God and Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.