THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES

Passage: Acts 2:1-13

Key verse: 11

NIV

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost(A) came, they were all together(B) 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.(C) 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(D) and began to speak in other tongues[a](E) as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing(F) 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,(G) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(H) 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,(I) Pontus(J) and Asia,[b](K) 10 Phrygia(L) and Pamphylia,(M) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;(N) 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.”(O)

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  2. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

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

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And (H)at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And (I)they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking (J)Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and (K)Medes and (L)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 (M)proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And (N)all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others (O)mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 2:3 Or And tongues as of fire appeared to them, distributed among them, and rested
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The Day of Pentecost came fifty days after the Feast of the Firstfruits, when Jesus was resurrected. Pentecost was also when the Feast of Weeks took place, when Jews from several nations come to Jerusalem to celebrate thanksgiving for the harvest crop (Deuteronomy 16:16).

The disciples all gathered together as they normally did in prayer and fellowship. Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of violent winds filled the entire house. What seemed like tongues of fire rested on them, and they all began speaking in different tongues. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, just as the Lord had promised (1:5). The Holy Spirit would equip them to go into all the earth to proclaim the gospel, heal the sick, and boldly proclaim the Word of God. It was the beginning of a new ministry, one empowered by God’s Holy Spirit.

Jews who had traveled to the festival witnessed what took place and were utterly amazed. They had never seen anything like this. However, some misunderstood and thought the disciples were filled with wine. However, the disciples were not filled with wine, but with the Holy Spirit, just as the Lord has promised they would. They were now able to partake in the great commission across the earth.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for doing such as You promised. As we gather, may the Holy Spirit fall afresh upon us. We pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

One Word: Be filled with the Holy Spirit