Acts 2:1-13

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

Questions to consider:

• In what ways is Jesus’s promise (from Monday) fulfilled in this passage?
• How does the Holy Spirit empower these people to become witnesses to the whole world at this time?
• What is the disciples’ message?
• How can you find power to be effective at sharing your story as a follower of Christ?

Possibilities for prayer:

The Holy Spirit’s power is a pretty amazing thing, though sometimes it’s easy to forget that God is still moving in our world when we see the hurt and pain around us and in our own lives as well. Pray that God would increase the Spirit’s presence in you, and that you would be filled with that power. Pray that God would give you increased faith and eyes to see the things that He is still doing—in our community, in our city, and around the world.