Imagine how it would feel to speak words you don't know in a language you've never learned.  Or imagine traveling in a distant country, surrounded by languages you do not understand, then hearing someone speaking English.  You think this person is an American, but discover that he's a German, or Spaniard, or Frenchman, and he's just as surprised to be speaking English as you are to hear it.

Such was the miracle of Pentecost.  The Book of Acts says that the first Christians were "filled" or controlled by the Holy Spirit.  They immediately begin to fulfill their purpose of being Jesus' witnesses in Jerusalem.  Soon the people gathered for the Pentecost holiday say in surprise, "How is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?" (Acts 2:8).

Fifteen different nations are listed here by Luke, each with his or her own language.  But by the Spirit's power these Galilean Jewish Christians speak of Jesus in languages they have never learned, to multitudes of people they've never met.

The response of the crowds was the same as today.  Some are confused: "Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 'What does this mean?'" (v. 12).  Some criticize: "Some, however, made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much wine'" (v. 13).  But others are convicted: "When the people heard this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" (v. 37).  These soon celebrate as well: "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day" (v. 41).

From this point forward, the Holy Spirit continues to empower God's people to accomplish God's purpose.  He "fills" Peter as he preaches to the rulers and elders of the nation (4:8).  He "fills" all the first believers with his power (4:31).  He convicts Ananias and Sapphira of their sin (5:3).  He witnesses to the Sanhedrin through them (5:32).

The Spirit empowers the first deacons and specifically Stephen (6:3, 10; 7:55).  He directs Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch (8.29) and leads him away after the man comes to faith (8:39).  He empowers Paul for his life and ministry (9:17; 13:4, 9).  He encourages the entire church (9:31).  He directs Peter to go to Cornelius the Gentile (10:19; cf. 11:12).  He calls Paul and Barnabas to their missionary work (13:2), leads them to Europe and the West (16:6), and empowers them throughout their ministry.  How does he do this in our lives today?  Let's continue on Monday.

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