*Acts 2:1-13
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles in the form of fire and empowers them to speak in different languages.
- Context: This passage describes the events of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, when the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples.
- The Day of Pentecost:
- The disciples are gathered together in one place, likely the same upper room where they had been praying.
- Pentecost was a Jewish festival commemorating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and later associated with the wheat harvest.
- Descent of the Holy Spirit:
- Suddenly, a sound like a mighty rushing wind fills the house where they are gathered.
- Tongues of fire appear and rest on each of the disciples.
- They are all filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in other languages as the Spirit enables them.
- A Multicultural Crowd:
- A large crowd of devout Jews from every nation under heaven is in Jerusalem for the festival.
- They are bewildered when they hear the disciples speaking in their own native languages.
- Reactions of the Crowd:
- The crowd is amazed and astonished, questioning how these Galileans could speak in the languages of so many different regions.
- Some speculate that the disciples are drunk, but Peter refutes this accusation.
Acts 2:1-13 teaches us that God gives us the power to share His message with others. When the Holy Spirit came to the disciples, they were able to speak in different languages so that people from many nations could understand the good news of Jesus. This reminds us that God equips us to do what He calls us to do. We can apply this by trusting that He will give us the words, courage, and ability to share His love with others. No matter where we are or who we’re with, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to help us be a light for Jesus.
Acts 2:1-13 (WEB)
2:1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. 6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? 8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!” 12 They were all amazed and were perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”