Knowing The Word in Acts: Pentecost, Acts 2:1-13

This week we will be reading about Pentecost and what happened on the day that not only changed the lives of Jesus’ disciples but also the world. Pentecost came fifty days after Passover and was the second harvest festival each year. That “all were gathered together” probably means all 120 of the devoted followers of Jesus (Acts 1:15).

Ever since God spread out the peoples of the earth as a punishment for building the Tower of Babel and changed their one language into many, people have been separated into language and ethnic groups. With the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, the disciples could speak to and be heard by many people and language groups. That day was a foretaste of how all people are being brought together in Christ.

2:1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Prayer: Spirit of the living Christ, come upon us in the glory of your risen power; Spirit of the Living Christ, come upon us in all the humility of your wondrous love; Spirit of the Living Christ, come upon us that new life may course within our veins, new love bind us together in one family, a new vision of the kingdom of God spur us on to serve you with fearless passion.

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