Every Man in His Own Language

The Story

Fifty days after Passover came the Jewish feast of Pentecost. Jerusalem was crowded with Jews from all over the world. Jesus had risen and returned to heaven, and His followers were gathered together in one place, waiting, just as He had told them to.

Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house. Something like tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the words.

A crowd gathered at the noise. And they were amazed, because every man heard them speak in his own language.

There were people from Parthia, Media, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. “How hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?” they asked. “We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Some mocked them and said they were drunk. Then Peter stood up and preached. This was not wine. This was what the prophet Joel had promised: God pouring out His Spirit. He told them about Jesus, crucified and risen.

The people were cut to the heart. “What shall we do?”

Peter said, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” And about three thousand people were added to the church that day.

Reflection