Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-13

• Cloven tongues with fire of the Holy Spirit falls on the disciples of Jesus Christ.
• Paul speaks of tongues that are not profitable in promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Cloven tongues with fire of the Holy Spirit falls on the disciples of Jesus Christ.
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them cloven tongues, as of fire, and sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

As a point of interest, this is before the conversion of Paul, which happened in Acts 9:1-22, and his missionary journeys began in Acts 13.

Pentecost is celebrated by the Jewish culture fifty days after the Passover festivities. Passover represents the blood of Christ applied to our heart which causes us to avert the death of sin and receive eternal life. Christ died on the Cross to atone for sin, then God resurrected Him from the grave, and fifty days later the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. At this time, about 120 disciples of Jesus Christ [Acts 1:15] were all in one accord in Christ Jesus and in one place. In today’s culture, the gathering of Believers with one accord in one place is opposed. At the same time, love has gone cold, the spread of the Gospel of Christ has become extinct, and the Holy Spirit has become absent in this world. Today’s churches have abandoned the testimony of Jesus to partner with the community and their atheistic values.

When the Holy Spirit came, there came a sudden sound from heaven, like a rushing mighty wind, and filled the whole house where the 120 were sitting. This is the same Holy Spirit that empowered all of the disciples of Jesus to be His witnesses. As we see today, the Gospel of Christ has reached global proportions, as quoted, “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 The core work of the Holy Spirit is to bring people to Jesus Christ and to make us His witnesses.

“Cloven tongues, as of fire” means double, the same as a two-edged sword has two blades, one on each side. Fire represents the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Bible speaks of the word of God being sharper than any two-edged sword, which is true of a tongue speaking with the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit, this is a true interpretation of the “cloven tongues”, as quoted, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13

In the context of the scriptures of this post, “cloven tongues” also refers to speaking two languages, one in the presence of the Holy Spirit and the naturally born language. Each of the 120 members in the room received a tongue filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit. They all spoke in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability, as we see in the verses of Acts 2:5-12, as quoted below this paragraph. These were languages of each other’s countries. For example, the Galileans were speaking in such a way that people in Libya and many other countries could understand. In other words, the Holy Spirit gave these tongues as a way to bring the Gospel of Christ to all the world by removing language barriers. Today, the Bible is translated

“And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2:5-13

On the map below, you can see the 15 places where people heard the Galileans speaking in their language by the Holy Spirit. Jerusalem, where the Holy Spirit was poured out, is seen marked with the red dot in the middle of the image and towards the bottom. Paul’s missionary journey would involve many places within the 15 places on the map.

“As of 2024, the Bible has been translated in over 740 languages, with the New Testament available in more than 1,660 languages. Portions of the Bible exist in over 3,600 languages worldwide, reflecting its unprecedented global reach and ongoing translation efforts.“

The tongues/languages spoken about here are very much different than the tongues/languages that Paul says are best to be kept to self than for public use. The next section speaks about those lesser forms of tongues.

Paul speaks of tongues that are not profitable in promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Below are statements that Paul made, through the Holy Spirit, about the tongues that are not profitable in promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

People who speak in unknown tongues are speaking mysteries, not to people.
“For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2

If we desire a spiritual gift, let it be for the edification of the Church, not to speak in tongues.
Paul said, by the Holy Spirit, “…unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.  There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.” 1 Corinthians 14:9-12

Speaking in tongues is for personal edification and doesn’t edify the Church.
By the Holy Spirit, Paul said, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.1 Corinthians 14:4-5

This following verse describes prophecy, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10 If we want to know where the world is within prophecy, we only need to look at where Jesus is within the world.

Speaking in tongues has no usefulness unless people understand what is being said.
Paul, by the Holy Spirit said, “But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?  1 Corinthians 14:6 Speaking in tongues is only useful if it promotes the Gospel of Jesus Christ, works in harmony with the process of sanctification, and promotes fellowship in the Spirit.

Speaking in tongues does not bring people to Jesus Christ.
Paul said by the Holy Spirit, “Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. 1 Corinthians 14:23-25

The most important tongue we receive is the language of our born-again experience, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ written on our heart.

Speaking in tongues within the churches is not important.
By the Holy Spirit, Paul says, “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:39-40

Speaking in tongues is unfruitful unless others understand what is being said.
Understanding of what is being spoken is essential for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Speaking a word that is understood is far more important than speaking many words in an unintelligible tongue. Paul says through the holy Spirit, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then?…how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 1 Corinthians 14:14-17 “No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3

Speaking in tongues is just one of many gifts of the Spirit.
Paul, by the Holy Spirit, referred to speaking in tongues as being one of many gifts of the Holy Spirit, maybe you have it and maybe you don’t. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Cori 12:7-11

Not every Holy-Spirit filled person has the gift of speaking in tongues.
Paul, by the Holy Spirit, said that not everyone is given the gift of speaking in tongues. Tongues are at the bottom of the list of all the gifts of the Spirit to have. “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Cor 12:27-31

On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, there were people gathered from countries everywhere [Acts 2:8-12] who spoke different languages. This is before the Salvation of Paul [Acts 9:1-22], before his missionary journeys began [Acts 13]. The Holy Spirit was poured out on them, people who were from many of the places where Paul would arrive during his missionary journey. Through the Holy Spirit, each person of one language could hear the other person speaking in their own language, no interpretation needed. This was to enable the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in countries everywhere, to enable the work of sanctification within people in countries everywhere, and to enable the blossom of the fruit of the Spirit in countries everywhere. God was also preparing countries to receive and help Paul in his missionary journeys, who propelled the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the global proportions of today. In today’s world, the language of the Holy Spirit is heard in many different languages of countries around the world.

Foremost above all, the work of the Holy Spirit is to promote Jesus Christ by empowering us as His witnesses, as quoted, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1: 8 

When the Holy Spirit is absent, witnessing for the Gospel of Jesus Christ stops, the process of sanctification stops, and the blossom of the fruit of the Spirit stops. That sounds like the world we are living in today! Love has gone cold. In today’s world, the presence of the Holy Spirit is opposed as people live for the entity giving them what to speak, feel, do, and think. As the Holy Spirit is removed from this world, lawlessness follows, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 Click here for a post on the “lawless one”.

We live in a world where an atheistic entity has power over physiology to give people what to feel and speak. This entity can cause people to mimic speaking in tongues. This beast lives to blaspheme God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. This is why speaking the Gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be done with words that can be understood. The foremost role of the Holy Spirit is not to cause people to speak in tongues, but to make us witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our born-again experience is the Gospel written on our heart. The role of the Holy Spirit is to bring sanctification to our spirit and soul, as the remission of sin roots out ugly attitudes, words, and behaviors. As sin is remitted, the Holy Spirit works Holiness within us. The role of the Holy Spirit is to produce the blossom of the fruit of the Spirit.

Receiving the Holy Spirit is part of receiving Jesus Christ for the atonement of sin. The question to ask all followers of Jesus is, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit since you believed?” When we come to God through Jesus Christ, we immerse ourselves into the reading of the Bible, we separate ourselves from the relationships of this unGodly world, we befriend Christianity, and we join our hearts in prayer for other believers through the Spirit of Christ. A heart devoted to God is a heart ready to receive the Holy Spirit. The most important tongue we receive is the language of our born-again experience, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ written on our heart.

“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” 1 Corinthians 12:3

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1