In Acts, chapter 2, we see the events that had transpired at the tower of Babel in the Old Testament, where confusion of man’s tongue into various languages was introduced, reversed. Even though the scenario reversal was only temporary, God used language to purposely retarded man’s purpose.
You will recall that man’s agenda at the tower of Babel, was to build a tower that reached high into the heavens. The fallen angels were homesick and their entrance visa into heaven had been cancelled because of their collective terrorist activities and destruction. As a consequence, the most that they could do was to hopefully peer into the heavens. But God would not allow that to happen, as stated in the Old Testament scriptures.
In the New Testament, however, the multitudes that gathered together at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, according to Acts 2, were able to witness God's spin on the tower of Babel. Indeed, something strange to their eyes and ears occurred, one that was possibly as equally strange as the previous Babel event.
That is, men who had previously been conversing with one another in normal everyday language suddenly entered into a state of total confusion. In the midst, observers thought they had possibly lost it. As the scriptures record, "These men are drunk. Are they not all Galileans? If this is so, how come we hear them speaking in our own language."
I Corinthians 12 effectively links the correlation and purpose together. Here, Peter standing with the eleven apostles noted that the Lord had given to Peter (and the others) the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Also note that it was Peter who preached God’s reconciliation -- His Word of truth to this initially Jewish audience. In case some might think this was a one off message, we see later in Acts 10 that he presented the same reconciliatory gospel to the Gentiles. It is this preaching of the gospel that opens the door to heaven thereby allowing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus the Christ to shine into individual’s believing hearts.
It is at this point that we are introduced to the first message preached by the Spirit of God through the mouths of His newborn adopted sons. Recall that Jesus, after He ascended on high still, through the Holy Ghost directed His apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) Herein, we know that God was still in charge. God's plan of salvation was still unfolding. Acts chapter 2 verses 14 through 36 expands upon this message, providing further detail into the events that had transpired. This might be a good time to refresh yourself in these scriptures before proceeding -- Acts 2 posted below!
Continuing at verse 36, the scriptures state, “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has declared that this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and the Christ."
In the next scripture, verse 37, "The people, hearing this holy Spirit delivery and confirmation of these aforementioned things were pricked in their heart." It is obvious that these people were between a rock and a hard place. These asked Peter, standing with the eleven, "What must we do?" (Acts 2:37)
Heaven presented this first message, a message that was delivered personally by the administrator of the new covenant. This New Covenant, in case you wondered, is none other than the Spirit of Jesus, who had said prophetically through Joel the prophet, that God would pour out His spirit upon all flesh. But that is not all. This pouring out of His spirit upon all flesh would cause your sons and your daughters to prophesy as well. (Joel 2:28)
Perhaps, at this point, each one of us should take some time to meditate on this Holy Ghost message, remembering that as God said in Acts 15, He would build again the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, replacing the formerly destroyed temple with living stones. Undoubtedly, as revealed here, God is building a triumphant building. Not a building made with brick and mortar. This is the temple in which His Spirit is pleased to dwell.
Peace to all in Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.
"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.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?"
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, "What means this?" Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine."
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, "Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; "And it shall come to pass in the last days," saith God, "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy ... And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come ... and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know -- Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain, whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.
For David speaks concerning Him, "I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore, did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: because Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance."
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation." Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
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