On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended with a rushing mighty wind, cloven tongues of fire rested on believers, and they spoke in other languages.
The Day of Pentecost was a Jewish feast day, fifty days after Passover, when Jews from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem. Suddenly, a sound like a rushing wind filled the house, visible tongues of fire appeared upon the disciples, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in various languages so that every listener heard in their own dialect.
Acts 2:1-4 — These verses directly describe the events of the Day of Pentecost.
In Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost, the believers were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind filled the house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Les emphasizes that Pentecost was one of the seven Jewish feast days listed in Leviticus 23, occurring fifty days after Passover. He notes that the crowd in Jerusalem was composed of Jews from various nations, speaking different languages. The miracle was that the apostles, uneducated Galileans, spoke in these various languages and dialects, so every person heard the message in their own language. Les also points out that this was the first of three times in Scripture where the Holy Spirit gave the gift of speaking in tongues, and it was strictly for Israel, not Gentiles.
Pentecost was one of the seven feasts of Jehovah given to Israel in Leviticus 23. It was to be counted fifty days after Passover, hence the name Pentecost. It was a time when Jews from all over the known world came to Jerusalem to celebrate.
The tongues were described as cloven, meaning divided or separated, and they looked like little flames of fire. They were not actual fire, as they did not burn anyone. They appeared upon each of the believers, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's presence.
The crowd at Pentecost was composed of Jews from all over the then-known world, many of whom had been displaced from Israel for generations. They spoke various languages and dialects, and the apostles were given the ability to speak in those languages so that everyone understood.
The miracle of speaking in tongues was given so that the apostles could communicate the gospel to the diverse Jewish crowd in their own languages. It was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power and a sign to Israel.
Les emphasizes that Gentiles had nothing to do with Pentecost; it was exclusively Jewish. The Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost was a Jewish event, and the gift of tongues was given to Jews.
Pentecost as a Jewish Feast
Les explains that Pentecost was one of the seven Jewish feasts listed in Leviticus 23, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover.
The Events of Pentecost
Les describes the sound of a rushing wind, cloven tongues of fire appearing on each believer, and their being filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in other languages.
The Jewish Crowd at Pentecost
Les notes that the crowd at Pentecost was made up of Jews from every part of the known world, who had come to celebrate the feast, and they heard the message in their own languages.
Two Baptisms Explained: What Most Christians Miss in Acts 1
When did Jesus do that? Well, at Pentecost, because that was a Jewish feast day. It was the nation of Israel that was gathered, and down came the Holy Spirit with power, and it was the Jews' valid offer again to have experienced that power of the Holy Spirit to do what? Miracles, and signs, and wonders, as Jesus had done.
Miracle of Speaking Languages
Les highlights that the apostles, uneducated Galileans, were supernaturally enabled to speak the various languages of the diverse crowd, as the first manifestation of the gift of tongues.
First of Three Tongues Events
Les identifies Pentecost as the first of only three instances in Scripture where the Holy Spirit gave the gift of tongues, and it was for Israel.
Dialects of the Tongues
Les clarifies that the gift of tongues was not just regional languages but even specific dialects, from the Greek word 'dialectos', showing God's miraculous precision.
Pentecost Was Strictly for Jews
Les states that the first instance of tongues was strictly for Jews at Pentecost, and later instances were for other groups.
Acts 2:1-4: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This is the core passage describing the events of Pentecost.
Leviticus 23:15-16: And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.
This establishes the timing of Pentecost as fifty days after Passover.
Acts 2:6: Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
This shows that the speaking in tongues was in known languages.
The Day of Pentecost occurred on the fiftieth day after Passover, as established in Leviticus 23.
Jews from all over the known world were present in Jerusalem for the feast, along with the twelve apostles and possibly the whole 120 believers.
They were not actual fire but appeared like little flames of fire, divided or separated, and they rested on each believer.
Yes, they were other languages understood by the diverse Jewish audience, and even dialects of those languages.
It was strictly Jewish; Gentiles had nothing to do with it.
Watch the Teaching: What Really Happened at Pentecost? Acts 2 Explained