Luke the physician wrote about the disciples, “when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting”, and in chapter two and verse three of the book of Acts Luke wrote how, “there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire” where we read:
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
The verse begins, “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, ...” Luke began with the words, “and there appeared unto them” which means “and there was allowed to be seen by the people in the upper room” “cloven tongues” or “divided tongues which refers to the language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations” “like as of fire” which means “similar and in likeness to a burning fiery fire”. Luke shared how the people in the upper room suddenly saw “divided tongues” which appeared like they were on “fire”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and it sat upon each of them.” Luke continued with the words, “and it sat upon” or “and the cloven tongues like as on fire set and settled down on” “each of them” which means “every one of the people in the upper room”. Luke shared how the “divided fiery tongues” settled upon each of the people within the upper room.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn about a manifestation of God's spirit in the form of “divided tongues” that appeared to be on “fire”. We shall learn more about these “tongues” in our next few verses, but it is interesting to note that they “settled” upon each of the people who were in “one accord” and “praying” together. God promised through His Son Jesus that His disciples would receive “power” after the Holy Spirit came upon them, and with this “power” they would be “witnesses” unto Him within their city and unto the whole world. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and empowered to give testimony to Him. Those who are wise will carefully discern this outpouring from God and surrender their lives to One who sends “fiery divided tongues” to empower those who trust in Him.
Next time Luke shares how, “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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