Acts 2: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
(It has been fifty days, nearly two months since the crucifixion and resurrection.)
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
The Apostles are in a room, worshiping, sharing in a feast to the Lord. The sound of ‘a rushing mighty wind’ comes from heaven.
Is it just a storm outside?
It would be of little note if the wind beyond the windows were not a mighty rushing wind.
Does your heart tremble in awe at the sound of a mighty rushing wind? … the gathering of clouds into a powerful storm?
Not only is this mighty wind beyond the walls of the place where the Apostles are gathered; the rush of the mighty wind filled the entire house!
A hurricane, a cyclone has filled the house; yet the walls have not crumbled and the house is not consumed.
Would you not fear for your life?
NOT the Apostles. These had worshiped the risen Lord who had been taken up into Heaven, even upon a cloud. No doubt, the Lord would speak to each Apostle.
Would Jesus say, “Peace?” Would He say, “Do not fear?”
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.
The Mighty Breath of God passes through the house of worship and breathes the fire of God into those present!
The Apostles had witnessed many times the intimacy of the relationship of God the Father with their friend and Lord, Christ Jesus.
How had Jesus always been able to know the will of God the Father?
Through prayer and the Holy Spirit, a conversation of intimacy with God.
Now each Apostle was filled with the same Holy Spirit descended on Jesus when John baptized Him in the Jordan.
The Apostles receive the baptism of the fire of the Holy Spirit!
Now, each is equipped to take the Gospel into any part of the world. Soon after their encounter they speak to men in crowds who hear an Apostle speaking as if in their own language.
How can ten men of ten different languages stand and hear one Apostle speaking, each in his own language?
With God all things are possible.
By the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues – a miracle possible only through God – the intimacy of the Holy Spirit makes possible an intimacy with the risen Christ Jesus.
Acts 2:5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together…
Note that others outside the room where the Apostles were gathered heard this mighty sound and came to see what it was that caused such a mighty wind.
… 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?”
Besides the evidences of this day of Pentecost, the Apostles would demonstrate more miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles now taught with the Power and Authority of the Living God, through the free gift of salvation given through Christ Jesus, our risen LORD!
