Acts 2:15
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Acts 2:15
Peter preempts a common accusation: that the speakers are intoxicated. He clarifies that the event is not at a forbidden hour of the day (the third hour) but the fulfillment of God’s promised outpouring of the Spirit. The reference to the third hour (about 9 a.m.) situates the scene within Jewish timekeeping, underscoring that what’s happening is conspicuously divine rather than impulsive. By naming the hour, Peter reframes the crowd’s perception from skepticism to astonishment, inviting them to see this as a God-ordained sign rather than a party gone wrong.
This verse safeguards the integrity of the Spirit’s work. It emphasizes that divine activity often disrupts expectations and social norms, yet remains under God’s plan. It also counters sensationalism with restraint, pointing to truth grounded in Scripture and providence. Theologically, it reinforces that spiritual experiences are not to be immediately dismissed as mere intoxication but evaluated against the character and mission of Jesus.
In today’s world, people often dismiss spiritual experiences as exaggeration or emotion. When you sense skepticism around spiritual language or manifestations, respond with clarity and gentleness: anchor explanations in time-tested truth, not hype. If a friend accuses you of being “too intense,” invite them to examine the source—Is this about love in action, or about a party-like atmosphere? Practice discernment: seek observable fruit (love, joy, peace, truth) and point to the person and work of Jesus as the basis for your hope.
Cross-References: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 14:23-25; Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 7:15-20; Acts 1:8