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

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

One or two observations about Pentecost:

  • A move of God may be long anticipated and prayed for, yet arrive ”suddenly” (2);
  • This ‘move’ brought an experience to ”each” and to ”all”: something happened that was enjoyed individually and collectively;
  • A Spirit-filled church provokes strong reactions. It arouses interest, but also attracts criticism. Much of western world Christianity is greeted with an indifferent yawn. It is a travesty that it should be so (but there are reasons to hope that things may be starting to change);
  • Look at 1:8, and consider vv.7-11. The ”uttermost parts of the earth” were represented in Jerusalem that day;
  • The feast of Pentecost was a kind of ‘Harvest festival’. It marked the end of the grain harvest. Spiritually, it saw the first evangelistic harvest for the church. May we never lose the confidence that God can do it again, or let go of the prayer that He will!;
  • Warren Wiersbe observes that in Luke 2 we see the birth of Jesus’ physical body; in Acts 2 we witness the birth of Jesus’ spiritual body.