The Church at Pentecost

Acts 2:1-4 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.

• Loudness as a sign of a coming theophany: thunder, lightning and a very loud trumpet blast at Mount Sinai (Ex 19:16); sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house at Pentecost (Acts 2:2)

• Fire as a symbol of a theophany: God descended to Mount Sinai in fire (Ex 19:18); tongues of fire rested on the apostles (Acts 2:3)

• Undid the Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9)

  • Making a name: people were building a tower to the heavens in order to make a name for themselves (Gen 11:4); the apostles were making known the might works of God (Acts 2:11)

  • Speaking different languages: God confused man by giving them separate languages (Gen 11:1-9); the Holy Spirit made the apostles speak in other languages understood by men from many nations (Acts 2:4-18)

• Three thousand: were killed for worshipping the golden calf (Ex 32:28); accepted the Gospel and were baptised (Acts 2:41)