Last week, we saw the ultimate purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: it was to empower believers to be witnesses of Christ. The heart of true witness is not mainly the person who was saved, but the Savior who saves. The focus is Christ Himself. As Jesus said:
Acts 1:8 — “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
Who were “they,” and how many were there? These were the disciples of Christ—about 120 believers gathered together (Acts 1:15).
Why were they together in one place and in one accord?
Jesus had commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father—the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4–5; Luke 24:49).
The phrase “one accord” in Greek means one mind, one passion, and one purpose.
What were they doing?
They were continuing steadfastly in prayer (Acts 1:14). There was a constant prayer meeting taking place. Their hearts were united in one purpose: waiting upon God for the promised Holy Spirit.
This teaches us something important: great movements of God are often preceded by united prayer.
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
Notice that it came suddenly.
The Spirit did not come gradually like a normal wind rising outside. It came from heaven, suddenly, with divine power.
There was a sound like a violent rushing wind—but it was not actual wind. It was the sound of heavenly power breaking into earth.
It filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Some believe this took place in the temple courts, where they often gathered publicly (Luke 24:53); others believe it was in the upper room. Either way, it happened in Jerusalem, exactly where Jesus had told them to wait.
God keeps His promises precisely.
“Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.”
They saw what looked like tongues of fire resting upon each person.
First came the mighty sound filling the house, and then came the visible sign—flaming tongues resting gently upon them.
This was not destructive fire, but holy fire.
It was refining fire. Purging fire. Sanctifying fire.
This was sacred fire—the fire of God’s presence.
John the Baptist had already prophesied this:
Luke 3:16 — “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
This fire represents holiness. It signifies cleansing from sin, spiritual illumination, heavenly understanding, and separation from the world.
God was preparing them not merely for emotional experience, but for holy service.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Jesus had foretold this:
Mark 16:17 — “They will speak with new tongues.”
Before this, they were believers in Christ. Now they were filled with the Spirit for power and service.
But what does “speaking in tongues” mean?
This is where much confusion exists today.
Many churches—especially in Pentecostal circles—teach that after conversion and water baptism, a Christian must receive a second blessing called the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and that speaking in tongues is the necessary outward evidence of that baptism.
This creates two classes of Christians: “Spirit-filled Christians” and “ordinary Christians.”
But Scripture does not teach this division.
The word tongues here simply means languages.
These were real human languages—languages they had never studied or learned. The Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in languages known by others present in Jerusalem.
This was not private ecstatic speech; it was a supernatural gift for gospel proclamation.
There is a powerful contrast between Pentecost and Babel.
At the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), sinful men united in rebellion against God. Their unity was dangerous because their purpose was evil.
So God divided them by confusing their languages and scattering them across the earth.
At Pentecost, God reverses that division.
Now, through Christ and the gospel, people from every nation are being united—not in rebellion, but in redemption.
Americans, Filipinos, Chinese, Russians, Arabs, Jews—people of every nation can become one family in Christ Jesus.
Babel divided through
pride.
Pentecost united through grace.
This is the beauty of the gospel.
“And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.”
At that time, many devout Jews from many nations had come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost.
When Scripture says “every nation under heaven,” it is using hyperbole to describe the vast number of nations represented.
These were Jews living in foreign lands who had returned to Jerusalem for worship.
God had arranged the timing perfectly.
“And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.”
They heard the sound and rushed to see what had happened.
Then came their amazement:
They heard these Galilean disciples speaking in their own native languages.
Not random sounds.
Not emotional noise.
Their own languages.
This was undeniable supernatural power.
“Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?’”
Galileans were known as ordinary, uneducated people.
They were not trained scholars from elite schools.
So how could these fishermen and common men suddenly speak foreign languages fluently?
Only one answer remained:
God.
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Libyans, Romans, Cretans, Arabs—they all testified:
“We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
What were they hearing?
They were hearing “the wonderful works of God”—in Greek: megaleia tou Theou—the mighty acts of God.
Most likely, they were hearing about Christ, redemption, the cross, the resurrection, and the grace of the gospel.
Tongues were given for unbelievers as a sign:
1 Corinthians 14:22 — “Tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers…”
Tongues were never meant for spiritual pride or emotional display.
They were given to bring sinners to Christ.
Peter then preached Christ—and about three thousand souls were saved (Acts 2:41).
This was the purpose.
Power from heaven to preach the gospel.
Job 37:14–16
Creation itself displays the wondrous works of God.
The clouds, the lightning, the balance of nature—all testify to the wisdom and power of God.
1 Chronicles 16:8–12
We are commanded to remember His mighty works, His miracles, and His judgments.
God’s acts in history reveal His glory.
Acts 2:22–24
The greatest work of God is salvation through Jesus Christ.
Christ was crucified according to the definite plan of God.
He was raised from the dead because death could not hold Him.
This is the greatest wonder of all.
When the Holy Spirit truly comes upon a person, there is transformation.
Not merely emotion.
Not merely religious excitement.
There is real change.
The first miracle of Jesus was turning water into wine.
Now, through salvation, God turns sinners into saints.
That is an even greater miracle.
The Holy Spirit convicts of sin.
He sanctifies.
He cleanses.
He produces hatred for sin and love for God.
He gives wisdom, understanding, and spiritual knowledge.
Uneducated Galilean fishermen were filled with divine wisdom.
Likewise, when someone truly becomes a Christian, the Spirit works inwardly.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and the Spirit uses that Word for conviction, conversion, comfort, and sanctification.
Colossians 1:9–10
We are to be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we may walk worthy of the Lord.
Notice—it was not merely fire, but a tongue of fire.
The same tongue that once gossiped, slandered, lied, and wounded others now becomes a tongue of praise.
A tongue that once spread sin now proclaims Christ.
A tongue that once harmed now comforts.
A tongue that once cursed now blesses.
This is true Spirit-filled living.
Fire also symbolizes God’s presence.
Abraham saw the burning lamp.
Moses saw the burning bush.
Israel was led by a pillar of fire by night.
Fire gives light.
So also the Holy Spirit leads us into truth.
We are no longer led by sinful desires, but by the Spirit of God.
Romans 8:9, 14
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
Jesus said:
John 7:38–39
“He who believes in Me… out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
This refers to the Holy Spirit.
When the Spirit dwells in a believer, others will see it.
There will be grace.
Godliness.
Love.
Purity.
Boldness.
The believer becomes a blessing to others.
Not stagnant water—but rivers of living water flowing outward.
If you believe in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, and have surrendered your life to Him, then you are His.
Ask Him for the power of His Spirit.
Ask Him for wisdom.
Ask Him for boldness in witnessing.
Ask Him for usefulness in His kingdom.
And He will give.
Luke 11:13
“How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
God saved us for Himself.
We no longer belong to ourselves.
We were purchased by His blood.
Our lives belong to Him.
Therefore, He will use us—not for selfish ambition—but for His glory.
We are His instruments.
His witnesses.
His servants.
We are called to proclaim the wonderful works of God.
This is the duty and joy of every Christian.
May the Lord fill you with the Holy Spirit, and may your life bear much fruit for His kingdom.