In his Pentacost sermon, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and the miraculous event of ‘speaking in tongues’ occurred. One insight for ‘speaking in tongues’ as I interpret it is speaking a language or languages beyond one’s mother tongue. However, some persons do attest that they have experienced ‘speaking’ in a language which even they themselves did not recognize as familiar.

Many years ago, I attended a worship service which involved ‘speaking in tongues.’ I turned my head to view the man seated directly behind me and was startled. And I have a friend who tells me she has experienced ‘speaking in tongues’ while alone in the privacy of her own home. So, I now recognize that such an experience can be brought on by the intervention of the Holy Spirit.

In his sermon Peter draws extensively from quotations found in the words of the Old Testament prophet Joel: “In the last days I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your elders will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above. And signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. . . And whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” See Joel 2:28-32 in the Old Testament. Also see Acts 2:17-21 in the New Testament.

About 3,000 people believed Peter’s message and were baptized, an affirmation of their faith. Thus these new believers were added to the first Christian church on its congregants’ celebration of the Day of Pentacost. See Acts 2:41.

The words ‘Pentecost’ and ‘Pentacost’ come from the Greek word pentekoste which means “50.” And Pentacost happened 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus.

We still receive power from the Holy Spirit today some 2,000 years since that first Christian celebration of Pentacost. And it is this power which enables us to edify the body of Christ—build up the church—so we can minister to those around us and be a witness to the world.

(This is Part 3 of a 4-part series.)

“The Reason I Have Hope: The Power of Pentacost” (Part 3 of 4)
Connie Carlisle Polley, 2024
ConnieCarlislePolley.com
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