Stunned by the Holy Spirit!
Suddenly the sound of a 'malevolent wind' arrived from heaven entering a very full house.
Tongues of fire lashed the many gathered at that first Pentecost. ('Pentecost' began as the celebration fifty days after the annual remembrance of the Passover.)
The Holy Spirit had now arrived to complete the Lord's work. His presence invited 'lead me to Jesus, the truth'. And, a new mass conversion had kicked-off.
When the Spirit of truth comes He will guide you into all truth... (John 14:13)
God-fearing Jews from seventeen nations heard of the wonders of God in their own tongues. 'Pentecost was a miracle of communication, reversing the curse of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9.' (R. Paul Stevens.)
A bewildered crowd gathered, now hearing their mother tongue.
Theologian Rev. John Stott explained Pentecost as:
- the final act of Jesus' ministry until He returns
- the first revival
- the empowering of the Apostles for the ministry of establishing the Christian church, and
- the opening of the new era of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit continues to serve, as He chooses - people still healed, tongues still spoken, many still bewildered and even more still converted. These are the last days, they shorten with every breath. Pentecost persists until Jesus' returns, finally He sorts people as it is too late.
Pentecost took Judaism from yesterday to tomorrow. We are in tomorrow. And, THE TRUTH (of Christianity) is still at large.
Read the full story of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-47
See also ~ 3 Ways to Hurt the Holy Spirit