Why not the 120?

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell on the apostles. Some say that the Holy Spirit fell on the 120 disciples who were gathered at Jerusalem which included the apostles (Acts 1:13-15). By this reasoning they try to prove that the baptism of the Holy Spirit included more than just those on the day of Pentecost and Cornelius’ house in Acts 10. They believe Holy Spirit baptism occurs today, working in an individual’s salvation. We will now look at some reasons showing the Holy Spirit fell on just the 12 apostles and not the 120 disciples.

First of all, they word “they” in Acts 2:1 one refers to the Twelve and not the 120. “They” is a pronoun and usually refers back to the previous noun. The previous noun mentioned is in Acts 1:26, which mentions Matthias being numbered with the apostles, not the 120.

Second, when the apostles started speaking in tongues, some of those who heard heard them said, “Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans?” (Acts 2:7). The crowd would have included Mary the mother of Jesus and others in the 120 disciples who were not from Galilee.

Third, some of the people who heard the apostles thought they were drunk and said in Acts 2:13, “These ‘men’ are full of new wine” (KJV). There were women in the 120 disciples (Acts 1:14).

Finally in Acts 2:14, “Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words.” Notice Peter stands up with the other apostles and not the 120 disciples.

It is a common error to believe that the Holy Spirit literally works in us. He does in a spiritual way if we have the word of God dwelling in us (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Holy Spirit baptism was a sign to show that the apostles were approved. It is never referred to as a means of salvation. However, water baptism is essential for our salvation and is the only way we can become a Christian and get to Heaven (Mark 16:16).

Jonathan Glaesemann