The Bible Course Muestra

The Fire, the Tongues, and a New Community – Pentecost 

Reflect  

The story of Pentecost speaks of a new normal. It was a moment that meant the world could never be the same again. Pentecost invites us too into a new normal, a life of fresh purpose and unshakable hope.  

What happened to the disciples at Pentecost?  

Pentecost was an important Jewish festival celebrating the beginning of harvest. So imagine the streets of Jerusalem packed with crowds of pilgrims from many nations. And 120 of Jesus’ followers are meeting to pray.  

What is going on here? Well, there are two references to tongues: 

Firstly, flames of fire symbolized God’s presence. 

Remember Elijah on Mount Carmel – heavenly fire consumed the altar. 

Remember Moses at the burning bush – the holy fire of the great I AM. 

So in the Old Testament, the fire of God appeared at a distance.   

But on the day of Pentecost, this same holy fire came to rest on God’s people. Now God was taking up residence in the hearts of those who believed in Jesus.

And notice that this holy fire separated into tongues that came to rest on each of them. Now ‘all’ of them were filled with the Spirit – not just the 12 apostles but 120 ordinary Christians. Whereas in the Old Testament, the anointing of the Spirit was reserved for kings, priests, and prophets, now all God’s people experience this life-changing power. 

And secondly, foreign tongues symbolized international unity.  

As the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in other human languages they had not learned. Remember, it was an international crowd in Jerusalem, who began to hear this amazing phenomenon – uneducated people, now fluent linguists, praising God in the languages of the world. 

Right back at the tower of Babel in Genesis, God confused the languages of the peoples and scattered them. But now divided nations are being reunited in God. Before the gospel had even left Jerusalem, this gave a glimpse of a future day when people from all nations on earth would worship as one. The Holy Spirit creates one multicultural, intergenerational family. It’s a global miracle and it all started at Pentecost. 

What does Pentecost mean for us today?  

Pentecost shows us that we can have real courage and community. The Holy Spirit set Peter free from fear and brought together a community that served and supported like no other! When things are hard, it’s courage and community that will get you through! 

Respond 

If you took a lump of red-hot coal out of the fireplace and put it on its own, it would quickly go cold. Position yourselves today in the fireplace – get yourself in community with followers of Jesus today!