Skip to content

Acts Part 3: Filled with the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-13 NIV

2 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.”

When the Day of Pentecost Came (vv. 1-4)

  1. The Day of Pentecost: Pentecost is the Greek name (“Fiftieth”) for the Jewish Feast, Shavuot (“Weeks”). This Solemn Feast was instituted by God at Mount Sinai (Exodus 23:14-17), and was to celebrate the first-fruits of the wheat harvest. Dispersed Jews from the world over made pilgrimage to Jerusalem for this Feast (v. 5). It is likely the gathered disciples moved their prayer vigil to the Temple in observance of Pentecost. The timing and symbolism of the harvest feast is not to be missed- Pentecost marks the first-fruits of a global harvest of souls for the Master (cf. 1:8)!
  2. Suddenly: The disciples were instructed to wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1:4-5). This showed that the promise of the Spirit was in God’s timing and in God’s control (John 3:3-8). Nevertheless, we must be prepared and positioned to receive God’s promise, lest we miss out when God decides to move.
  3. Violent Wind from Heaven and Tongues of Fire: Sensory signs that preceded the filling of the Spirit. Wind represents God’s Spirit (cf. Ezekiel 37:5-14); fire represents God’s presence as it did at Mount Sinai (cf. Exodus 19:18; Hebrews 12:29; Malachi 3:2).
  4. Filled with the Holy Spirit: This is the fulfillment of Jesus’ words that the disciples would “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (cf. 1:5). “Baptized” and “filled with” are different aspects of the same experience of empowerment to preach and prophesy by the Holy Spirit (cf. vv. 1:8; 2:17-18).
  5. Speak in other Tongues: Glossalalia, here and in other instances, was the initial physical evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (cf. 10:44-46; 11:15-16; 19:6). It demonstrated that they could now speak by the Holy Spirit. “Gave them utterance” (v. 4 ESV) is the same Greek verb used for when Peter later lifted his voice to address the crowd (v. 14).

Every Nation Under Heaven (vv. 5-12)

  1. God-fearing Jews: During Pentecost, more Jews migrated to Jerusalem than at any other time of year. Hundreds of thousands of faithful Jews made pilgramage there from the places they had been scattered long ago in the Babylonian exile. God had once scattered His people because of their sins, but now would regather them and fill them with His Spirit (Deuteronomy 30:1-5; Isaiah 11:1-2; Jeremiah 29:11-14).
  2. Every nation under heaven: A foreshadowing of the global mission to be undertaken throughout the Book of Acts and throughout church history, even up til today! The word of God would spread to all of the nations listed in this passage in the years to follow.
  3. Declaring the Wonders of God in our own Tongues: The tongues spoken at Pentecost are distinct from the unintelligible language of angels referenced by Paul later on (1 Corinthians 13:1; 14:2). While the Spirit may sovereignly grant men to speak other earthly languages as He determines, this instance of tongues was symbolic of the Spirit’s unifying power and His mission to redeem individuals from every tribe, nation and tongue (Revelation 7:9).

They’ve Had too Much Wine (v. 13)

The Baptism of the Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues has always been a stumbling block to Christians and non-Christians alike- this is by design. God declared that unknown tongues were a sign of judgment on a rebellious people (Deuteronomy 28:49; Isaiah 28:11). It is a sign to the unbeliever. It used to mean they were strangers in exile, now it means they are on the outside of the fellowship of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:20-25). Those who mock and reject the work of the Spirit are on dangerous ground (Matthew 12:30-31)!

It is time to embrace the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and to receive every good promise God has for you!