You might already know this, but let’s be sure that we know the context of Acts 2 as we begin a study in that chapter. At this point, Jesus had died, was raised from the dead, and appeared to His disciples to prove that He was indeed alive. After 40 days (see Acts 1:3), Jesus returned to heaven (see Acts 1:9-11), but He had told the disciples to remain in Jerusalem.
Now, by human standards, it might not have seemed like a wise idea to stick around in the same city where both religious groups and the Roman empire had worked to execute your rabbi (i.e., teacher) a couple of months ago. However, the disciples (or “believers”) obeyed Jesus, and returned to Jerusalem. In Acts 1, there were about 120 believers when Peter led the group to select a replacement for Judas Iscariot to restore the count of twelve apostles (as had been prophesied).
This brings us to Acts chapter 2.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:1-4 NIV
Some key things about this event:
- It was the day of Pentecost (nominally 50 days after Passover). Per a commentary [Gaertner, p.67-68 footnote], in at least one tradition, this was 50 days after the Sabbath after Passover, putting it on a Sunday.
- The disciples were together (whether just the apostles, or also some of the other disciples mentioned in chapter 1).
- The Holy Spirit filled the believers, and enabled them to speak in different languages.
- A sound and tongues of fire accompanied the Holy Spirit’s indwelling.
So, one major component of this Gospel message is that those who shared it were filled with the Holy Spirit. How else can we explain not only the noise and the fire and the speaking in other languages, but also the transformation of disciples from those who ran away when Jesus was taken into custody, to those who stood up openly in the temple and testified about Him?
In Acts 2:5-12, Jewish people from lots of different countries hear something, and are trying to figure out how they can hear speaking in their native language from this group.
- I suspect that many of them expected to speak Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic (see Gaertner, p.71) when they came to Jerusalem to spend time with other people from different parts of the world, but here they could hear their own language.
- And, don’t we all do this? If someone is speaking in another language, but we hear a few words in our own language (maybe someone’s name, or something that doesn’t translate), it catches our ear.
The audience recognizes the speakers (i.e., these believers empowered by the Holy Spirit) as being from Galilee. I don’t know if there was a look about them, or maybe an accent, but apparently you could tell. This is even stranger to them, though. Apparently Galileans weren’t known for speaking a lot of languages (nor, per Gaertner, were they known for a lot of good things).
Of course, most every audience has its hecklers. Some of the people apparently suggested that the disciples were drunk. Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that I’ve ever heard a drunk person speak coherently in a new language…at least, not a real language!
So, we find here the intersection of two key things: A group of Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem (obedient to His instructions to remain there), who are empowered by the Holy Spirit. I think that we’re off to a good start in this account, but until the next article is posted, let’s consider our own choices (speaking to fellow Christians here): Are we regularly meeting with other believers, and are we ready for the Holy Spirit to take charge? A couple of points to ponder until next time.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for September 3, 2023
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Acts, by Dennis Gaertner. © 1993 College Press Publishing Co.
- New Testament History: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Acts, by Gareth L. Reese. © 1976, College Press Publishing Company.
Those Who Sin Differently 