They had seen Jesus since His resurrection for 40 days.  They obeyed Him and stayed in Jerusalem, going to Temple, praying together and waiting for 10 days after He ascended.  They conducted a little business, like replacing Judas, gathered in one place when SUDDENLY….

Acts 2:1-13

1.  From heaven a noise, like violent, rushing wind filled the whole house where they sat.  2       
2.  It appeared that tongues of fire distributed themselves, resting on each one.      3        
3.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the
Holy Spirit gave them ability.    4
4.  There were devout men from every nation and Jews in Jerusalem that came together when
this loud wind sounded. 5
·      They were bewildered that they were hearing them speak their own language.      6
·      They were amazed and astonished.    7
·      They recognized these as Galileans speaking in multiple languages      7
·      They couldn’t understand how they were hearing in their native language.      8
·      At least 16 languages, both Jews and proselytes      9,10
·      The message was “The Mighty Deeds of God”      11
·      People perplexed.  Some mocked saying they were drunk.       12,13
                                                                                              

Questions:

1.  The sin of Babel was “let us make for ourselves a name.”  Pride. 
Let’s build something that reaches heaven by man’s devices.
God’s solution—scramble the languages.

Is there anything about Pentecost that is reversing that?  How?

2.  Do you think there was any of this that the disciples would have imagined during the last 50 days?

3.  I was not able to find any references to other cultural mentions of hearing one’s own native tongue by a stranger except one reference to Islamic Mysticism (Sufism), some shamans of indigenous origins communicating with divine or with spirits, and a reference to Hindus.
This was truly a brand new concept in Jerusalem.

How would you have reacted if a Galilean fisherman was fluent in your native latin language?

4.  The disciples were told they would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them.

·      Power for what?

·      What do you think that looks like in the 21^st century?Preparing the Disciples