The Holy Spirit: The Living Force of the Christian Church

A powerful and sudden event struck the house: a rushing sound from heaven filled it. Tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of those present. All were then filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages. In Jerusalem, devoted Jews from all nations saw this event. The crowd gathered in wonder, amazed to hear these Galileans speaking in their own languages. They marveled at how Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Romans, Cretans, and Arabs could understand God's wonders. Faced with this manifestation, astonishment and perplexity gripped the crowd, who sought to understand its meaning. Some, however, mocked the disciples, accusing them of being drunk. Peter, accompanied by the eleven apostles, then spoke to the multitude. He explained that they were not drunk, for it was only nine o'clock in the morning. He then quoted the prophet Joel: "In the last days, God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. On my male and female servants, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven and on earth: blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Universal Church of the Living God Support Our Mission Visit our website: