Babel Revisited

Acts 2:1-13

Introduction

–          Acts 2 is broken into three parts related to baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost:

1) The Event (vv. 1-13)

2) The Explanation (vv. 14-40)

3) The Effects (vv. 41-47)

–          The Event of Pentecost was accompanied by three miracles which engaged three different senses

1. A Miracle of Sound  (vv. 1-2)

1. A supernatural sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house where the disciples were praying

2. The symbolism of wind is closely connected with God’s self-revelation in Scripture

• Hebrew word for wind (ruach) and Greek word for wind (pneuma) can also be translated “Spirit” or “breath”
• Old Testament ‘theophanies’ are frequently accompanied by wind (cf. Job 38:1)
• Jesus compares the activity of the Spirit in giving spiritual life with the blowing of the wind (Jn 3)

3. Pentecost was a unique event, but each one of us must experience our own personal ‘pentecost’ to be saved.  Have you been born again through the life giving ‘wind’ of God’s Spirit?

2. A Miracle of Sight (v. 3)

1. Cloven tongues of fire appeared to rest upon each disciple

2. The symbolism of fire is also associated with God’s self-revelation in two important ways:

• It signifies God’s purity and holiness
• It signifies God’s wrath and judgment

3. Is the ‘fire’ of God’s holiness purifying your life, or are you still subject to the fire of God’s judgment?

3. A Miracle of Speech (vv. 4-13)

1. The gift of tongues (glossolalia) manifested at Pentecost differs qualitatively from the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians

• 1 Corinthians – an unknown tongue which needs interpretation to be understood
• Acts 2 – the disciples preach the gospel in actual languages which were understood

2. Luke emphasizes the international nature of the crowd gathered in Jerusalem

• The crowd contained both Jews and Gentile proselytes
• The nations listed by Luke cover the territory of Shem, Ham and Japheth
• The tongues at Pentecost underscore God’s heart for the nations and the inclusivity of the New Covenant

3. The miracle of speech must be understood against the backdrop of the Tower of Babel (cf. Genesis 11:1-9)

• Through Babel humanity proudly tried to ascend to heaven and had their language confounded by the Lord resulting in the dispersion of the nations
• At Pentecost, God humbly reached down to humanity and enabled the nations to hear the gospel in their own language, resulting in the gathering of nations under one Lord and one Covenant – Babel reversed!