Acts 2:1–41

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.
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?”
¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”  (Acts 2:1–13, NIV)

“When everyone came together in one place, the holy Spirit swept through and showed his mighty power by making them speak in tongues. It shows the magnitude of the Holy Spirit. We do not discuss the Holy Spirit enough, but this passage helps explain how the Spirit works in us. It is also a reminder that anyone can receive the Holy Spirit and be filled with this power.”

Thought Questions:

Why do you think the Holy Spirit appeared in this way–a loud wind and tongues of fire–to the people gathered in Jerusalem? In what ways do you find the Spirit appearing to you today?

How do you think you would have reacted had you been witness to the events described here?

How does the Holy Spirit help us understand the death and resurrection of Jesus, as well as live for Jesus today?