Acts 2: 1-13
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like of the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God fearing-Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speak in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: Are not all these men speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in their own native language? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs–we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
A Thought
Jesus Christ had been appearing to the apostles for forty days after his death on the cross, teaching them about the kingdom of God. On one occasion Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promised gift from the Father of the Holy Spirit. Here we find them gathered together in Jerusalem ten days after Jesus was taken up before their eyes in a cloud, waiting on the promised gift of power. Suddenly it came with the sound of a violent wind from heaven. All that were gathered together were filled with the Holy Spirit as the sound of a violent wind filled the whole house and each began to speak in other tongues. A bewildered crowd from every nation heard each speak in their own language declaring the wonders of God. The promised gift of the Holy Spirit had arrived with power!
Our Prayer
Father thank you for your many gifts that you provide for your children. The promised gift of your son revealed to us the mystery of salvation that generations past had long awaited to receive. Here your promised gift of the Holy Spirit fell upon the waiting people and they were filled with your power to become witnesses to the wonders of you and your love. We ask in Jesus’ name for an awakening of your power to equip us to give the “good news” to every nation to continue the work that Jesus accomplished by his obedience to you, even his obedience to his death on a cross for our redemption back to you, amen.
