Acts 2:1-21
told by Deborah

The disciples gathered together on Pentecost, a holiday commemorating God’s giving of the Torah to the people of Israel, which was also a celebration of the early summer harvest.

Suddenly there was a sound like an approaching tornado, and it filled the whole house where they were. Flames like fiery tongues appeared and touched each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from all over the world living in Jerusalem. Hearing this noise a crowd gathered. Amazed and astonished, they asked one another, “If these people are Galileans, how is it that we all understand what they are saying, each of us hearing them in our own language, telling us of God’s glorious works"

It was weird and confusing, and a murmur went through the crowd, “Can there be something in this?” While others sneered, “There’s something in them: a whole lot of sweet wine!”

But Peter stood up with the eleven and called out, “Listen, all of you! It isn’t what you’re thinking: these people aren’t drunk — it’s only nine o'clock in the morning! No, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about:

“‘In the last days, says the Lord, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; the young will see visions, the old shall dream dreams. Indeed, I will pour out My Spirit upon My servants, both men and women; and they will prophesy. And I will send forth omens in the heavens above and upon the earth below: blood, and fire, and clouds of smoke. The sun shall grow dark and the moon turned to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. And it shall be that everyone, whoever it is, who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”