Reading for April 30th

 Read Acts 2.1-13. In 2.1-8.1: The witness in Jerusalem. In 2.1-13: The promise of the Father given at Pentecost. In verse 1: Pentecost is the fiftieth day after Passover, the popular Feast of Weeks of early harvest (Ex 23.16; 34.22; Lev 23.15-21; Deut 16.9-12). In verse 2: The sound like the rush of a violent wind recalls the loud sounds of God's presence at Sinai (Ex 19.16-19, compare also 1 Kings 19.11-12). In verse 3: Divided tongues, distributed to each, anticipate the inspired speaking and hearing of vv. 4-13. Fire indicates divine presence (Gen 15.17; Ex 3.2; 13.21-22; 24.17), as promised (Lk 3.16). In verse 4: Luke often describes inspiration in terms of being filled with the Holy Spirit. (Lk 1.15, 41, 667; Acts 4.8; 9.17; 13.9), now directly fulfilling Jesus' promise (Lk 24.49; Acts 1.4-5, 8). In Greek, to speak in other languages is literally "to speak in other tongues." In verse 5: Devout Jews were observant of the law (Lk 2.25; Acts 8.2; 22.12). In verse 6: In Greek, they hear "each in our own dialect " (v. 8). In verses 9-11: All of these groups represent Jewish (v. 5) communities, including gentiles who had become Jew (proselytes) spread throughout the world, now gathered in Jerusalem. In verse 11: This is a miracle of both speech and hearing since now hear in our own languages (Gk., "tongues") the subject matter of inspired witness is God's deeds of power (Deut 11.3; Ps 70.19; Lk 1.46-55). In verses 12-13: "What does this mean?" is a faithful question in the midst of perplexity, prompting Peter's speech (see also LK 1.29, 34). "They are filled with new wine" is a judgment intended to discredit their prophetic speech. Comments or questions..