BIBLE STUDY LESSON 02

SERIES U --- THE EARLY CHURCH

THE PROMISE OF POWER

TONGUES OF FIRE

From Acts 2:1-24

The time of Shavuot arrived, exactly fifty days after the Passover season when Yeshua had been crucified. Day by day the disciples continued to meet together to pray, as they had since Yeshua ascended into heaven. On this certain day, as they gathered in a spirit of harmony, they were surprised by a sound that came down from heaven. It resembled the roaring of a great wind, filling the whole house where they were meeting. Tongues, like flames of fire, separated and came to rest upon the head of each person. Then Ruach HaKodesh came upon them, filling everyone present. When this happened, the people began speaking in languages they could not have known, for the Spirit gave them special powers. From all parts of the world, devout Jews had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot. When they heard the strange noise, they rushed to the house to see what was happening. Of course, these people were absolutely amazed to hear the disciples speaking their native languages. [How can this happen?] they asked. [These are Galileans! Yet they are speaking in the languages of our lands back home! We have come from Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, from Phrygia and Pamphylia, from Egypt and the territory of Libya near Cyrene. Some of us are visitors from Rome, including Jews and Jewish converts, and some are Cretans and Arabians. But here we are, listening to these people tell the wonders of YHVH in our own languages!] It was all very confusing, and these people kept on asking, [What does this mean?] But there were some others in the crowd who were cynical. [They’re drunk!] they said. When Peter heard that, he stood up with the other eleven apostles. Then he cried out for all to hear. [Listen to me, men of Judea and Jerusalem!] he shouted. [It’s only nine in the morning, so how can you say that these people are all drunk? This is a fulfilment of what Joel the prophet said: ‘It will happen in the last days, that I, the Adonai, will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. Upon all My servants, men and women, I will pour forth My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show miracles in the sky, and wonders on the earth below, even blood and fire and smoke. The sun will turn to darkness, and the moon as red as blood before the great and glorious Day of Adonai will come. But anyone who calls for Adonai’s mercy shall have it and be saved.’ Listen to me, men of Israel! You know what great miracles Yeshua did! That ought to show you how YHVH’s approval was upon Him. Yet this same Yeshua was betrayed, within the great plan and wisdom of YHVH, and given over to you to be killed. Then you let wicked men nail Him to a cross. But YHVH raised Him up, freeing Him from death’s grip, for death could not hold Him.]

COMMENTARY

FOREIGN VISITORS AT SHAVUOT

In New Testament times more Jews lived outside of Palestine than in their homeland. The Jews who lived in Palestine called these people {the Diaspora,} meaning {the scattered ones.} Many of these Jews were descendants of the exiles who were carried away by conquerors. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians forced the people of the northern kingdom to leave their homeland. Less than a hundred and fifty years later, the Jewish families of Judah were also sent into exile by the Babylonians. When these kingdoms faded from power, the exiles were free to return to Palestine. Although some went back, others chose to remain where they were. Many had reached positions of respect or had established thriving businesses of their own. They did not want to leave their comfortable homes and lives. But in spite of the many miles that separated these Jewish families from their homeland, they remained loyal to the temple in Jerusalem. Many tried to make the difficult journey to Jerusalem for one of the annual feasts. Those who could not make the trip themselves sent gifts of money for the temple. Many of these Jews from foreign lands were in Jerusalem for the feast of Shavuot when Peter and the other apostles received Ruach HaKodesh. The visitors were amazed to hear the language of their adopted nations spoken by fishermen from Galilee. Many listened eagerly to the message of the Gospel. When they returned to their homes, they became the first missionaries carrying the Good News to many nations.