Today, I am reading and commenting on  Acts 1-3.

On the day of Pentecost, the Believers were gathered together in one place when the Holy Spirit descended upon them.  The first thing of importance I want to note is that when they began speaking in tongues, it was in languages they had never learned but understood by people who were nearby.  I am not quite sure what happened here, but whatever it was it attracted to attention of people outside of the building they were meeting in.  As I tried to understand it today, it struck me that as people came to investigate the loud wind they heard, different ones among the disciples began explaining to them, in their native language, what had happened.  Before long, people began to notice that the speakers were all from Galilee and one or more of them was speaking in every language represented by those who came to investigate (or maybe just to gawk).  Which attracted still more people so that  things became very chaotic.  At which point, Peter and the Eleven (side note: even though they had appointed Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the Twelve a few days earlier, it was still “the Eleven”) stood up to bring order to what was going on.

So, points about this rather chaotic event I want to point out.  When the Holy Spirit caused the disciples to speak in tongues it was in order for them to speak to those who were present.  When things became chaotic, the leaders worked together to make things more orderly.  Finally, Peter promises that everyone who repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ will receive the Holy Spirit, not just those present, but their children and those far off, all who God will call.  This always reminds me of how weak my faith is.  This account, and other passages in the New Testament, convince me that the Holy Spirit will work miracles through those who receive Him in accordance with their faith.  I have never witnessed anything close to the working of the Holy Spirit described here and elsewhere and I know that is because I lack sufficient faith to truly believe it can happen to me.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.