Acts 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Acts 2:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Verse 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Verse 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. Verse 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Verse 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. Verse 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Verse 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? Verse 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Verse 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Verse 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Verse 11Cretans and Arabs-in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." Verse 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"
Devotion
We celebrate Pentecost on the seventh Sunday after Easter. It is indeed the reverse of Babel in Genesis, for the "devout Jews from every nation under heaven…heard the apostles speaking in the native language of each." When the suspicion of some was "They are filled with new wine," Peter let it be known that "they are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning."
Things do not just happen, but are God's Plan for our salvation. That is not just a Biblical explanation from the past, but a present reality that should amaze us also, in 2013. God's Spirit is now, as back then, poured out on all flesh: "Even upon my slaves, both men and women" declared Peter to a doubting and sneering crowd in Jerusalem.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, the message of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is still amazing, and always will be. Help us speak and act according to your will and love. Amen.