When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” *But* others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Comment: I’m sure that my old teacher would have told me if I had written this paragraph that I had too many ‘ands’. It reminds me of excited children coming from something which has really captured their imagination and one thing spills out to be followed by an ‘and’ and something else and so on!!! Well It was like that! This is an exciting, life changing event. People seem to major on the phrase that the Galileans were talking in multiple languages (and they were) but I would major on the fact that all the groups were hearing the message. And further there are different responses recorded – Amazement, Questioning, Skepticism, and if you read to end of the chapter many believed! Sometimes I think that the church needs a bit of the fire which descended!
Prayer: As we worship You today may we be guided by the Appointed Guide into all truth.
As I read it! 