Acts 2:41

“Then they that gladly received his word, etc.] The Syriac version adds, “and believed”; what Peter said concerning repentance and baptism, and especially concerning remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost; and concerning the promise of Christ, and salvation by him, of the pardon of sin, and of the Holy Spirit; which doctrine they received with great joy and gladness, it being suitable to their case; and very “readily”, and “willingly”, as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it; for they were now made a willing people in the day of God’s power, and now that promise, or prophecy, in (<19B003>Psalm 110:3) had a remarkable accomplishment; these converts were the dew of Christ’s…”

“BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. (Act 2:41-47) they that gladly received his word were baptized--"It is difficult to say how three thousand could be baptized in one day, according to the old practice of a complete submersion; and the more as in Jerusalem there was no water at hand except Kidron and a few pools. The difficulty can only be removed by supposing that they already employed sprinkling, or baptized in houses in large vessels. Formal submersion in rivers, or larger quantities of water, probably took place only where the locality conveniently allowed it" [OLSHAUSEN]. the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls--fitting inauguration of the new…”

“They that gladly received - The word rendered “gladly” means “freely, cheerfully, joyfully.” It implies that they did it without compulsion, and with joy. Religion is not compulsion. They who become Christians do it cheerfully; they do it rejoicing in the privilege of becoming reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Though so many received his word and were baptized, yet it is implied that there were others who did not. It is probable that there were multitudes assembled who were alarmed, but who did not receive the word with joy. In all revivals there are many who become alarmed, and who are anxious about their souls, but who refuse to embrace the gospel, and again become thoughtless, and…”

“And there were added - To the hundred and twenty. Acts 2:42”

“gladly: Act 2:37, Act 8:6-8, Act 13:48, Act 16:31-34; Mat 13:44-46; Gal 4:14, Gal 4:15; Th1 1:6 were baptized: Act 2:38 added: Act 2:47, Act 1:15, Act 4:4; Psa 72:16, Psa 72:17, Psa 110:3; Luk 5:5-7; Joh 14:12 Acts 2:42”