Acts 2:1-13

We’ve seen Luke bring us a brief history of his previous work, and then to walk us through what happened post-resurrection.   The need to replace Judas as a living witness.  And the need to wait for the power of the Spirit (the promised helper to come).   Today in Acts 2:1-13 we see the result of that waiting around, that trusting Jesus’ words to come true. 

Initial Thoughts

I think that it would have been SO amazing AND So very confusing to have been there.  A huge wind, and then flames of fire floating as people began speaking in different languages.  So …. just so.. WOW.    It’s not wonder to me that people were amazing and perplexed, OR that some would turn their confusion into a scathing skepticism. 

Acts 2:1-13 Paragraph One vv 1-4

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

It’s the day of Pentecost.  The very first day. No one really knew what to expect.  Suddenly a sound like a blowing wind came.   Not it’s not a blowing wind, just the sound of it.  Have you ever experienced that?   I’ve heard the sound of blowing wind before and gone out to see where it is and been surprised not to see or feel any evidence of such.  It left me feeling bewildered.  🙂  

So I’m imagining the disciples sitting around, hearing this wind, without their being one.  I’m thinking they’d be a bit startled eh?  Having this sound all around them in the house, but no wind blowing around them.  And then flames of fire!   

Think about it.  How startling and amazing and wonderful it would all be at the same time.  Flames of fire lighting on each person present.  Resting on them.  Being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in languages new to them. 

Now the disciples didn’t just willy-nilly start speaking in tongues.  They spoke in the languages as the Holy Spirit enabled them.   Makes me ask myself the question: What does the Holy Spirit enable me to do?   Has he given me a special gift?  

Paragraph two vv 5-12

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

So, the disciples/apostles were gathered in a room, in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem was a bustling city, lots of people around, a city that drew in people from a variety of places. Biblical Archaeology tells us that “Jerusalem was a diverse city and pilgrimage center in the first century“. 

People Came From All Over

We know that in Jerusalem there were God-fearing Jews from all over the place. “staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven“.   Wouldn’t it be astonishing to hear Galileans talking in your own language?  I certainly don’t fault them for being completely amazed… would you?   

I also don’t blame them for trying to figure out what was going on.  Like it’s not everyday that you hear folks talking about the wonders of God in our own tongues!.  Look at all the places these folks hailed from including the Parthians, Medes, and Elamites.  Folks came from Pontus, Asia, Cappadocia, Rome, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Crete, Arabia, Libya and Egypt. 

It would seem that Jerusalem was a bit of a melting pot of nationalities back in the day.   You’d almost think that God’s planning was what it needed to be.  A wide variety of Jews and converts to Judaism all gathered in one spot where the Holy Spirit was doing a working.

Paragraph three v 13

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

And of course, you’re always going to have the scoffers and mockers.  People have no idea about what is going on but would never believe that a supernatural event was going on.  They’ll blame it on whatever seems the handiest.  And saying that people were drinking too much might make the most sense to such folk don’t you think? 

Final Thoughts

So would I have been a scoffer back in the day or one who was perplexed, trying to figure out the meaning behind all these languages?   Honestly, there are times I think it could go either way.  But I have to say that over the years I’ve become more prone to simply seeing God at work.  God is amazing at how he orchestrates what needs doing. 

I think though, that I would have been one to stand and listen.  To be amazed at hearing about the wonders of God spoken in a way that I could understand clearly. It would have been so life changing don’t you think?   

And yet, here today, we have the word of God clearly written for us.  In different translations that work for the different ways people think.  And do we take advantage of it?  Too often we don’t take the time to simply listen to what God would say to us. Spending time in his word, letting the Holy Spirit impact our lives, seeing Jesus doing what he does best, and just everything.  

The Rest of This Series

• Acts 1:1-5
• Acts 1:6-11
• Acts 1:12-26
• Acts 2:1-13
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