Calendar

SIGNS FROM HEAVEN
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
Acts 2:2-4

John 3:7-8

 

“…thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh…”

 

SIGNS FROM HEAVEN
 
It was on Pentecost, when a great multitude was in Jerusalem, that this miracle (described in Acts 2:2-4) happened. God had a purpose for gathering the Jews from different nations speaking different languages. It was through this miracle that the gospel of Christ was spread abroad. His decree is always perfect and right. This is most reassuring for believers who know and understand the sovereignty of God.
 
The sound: The sound was from heaven, not from the people. The sound was like a rushing mighty wind. The “wind” in the Scripture is one of the emblems of the Holy Spirit. There was no physical wind that came from heaven but only the sound which filled the Upper Room. It was a mysterious phenomenon for there was no motion in the air, and yet the sound was as though a hurricane was raging.
 
The cloven tongues: This was followed by the cloven and fiery tongues which appeared and sat upon them. The shape of the tongues was as the figure and shape of a dove which came down upon Christ (John 1:32). “It had a signification agreeable to the office and nature of Christ, so God did now make choice of a sign which might be agreeable to the thing signified, namely, that it might show such effect and working of the Holy Ghost in the apostles as followed afterward” (Calvin). It is not said that the tongues were of fire, but only that they resembled tongues of fire. There was no physical fire in this verse. It sat upon them means that the power of the Holy Spirit had come to abide in each one of them, and they started to speak in languages. The words were given to them by the Spirit. This was the idea of filling, where the Spirit did not just influence them to speak but each disciple was under the control of the Spirit. The languages (or tongues) spoken were described as understood by those who heard them, Jews and strangers.
 
Are you filled with the Spirit that you are empowered to speak His Word?
 
THOUGHT: Am I approved of God to receive His power?
PRAYER: Our Almighty God, fill me with Thy Holy Spirit that I may boldly witness for Thee.

Search