Read | Acts 2:1–47
When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”
Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning. On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
And it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all people;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
I will even pour out my Spirit
on my servants in those days, both men and women
and they will prophesy.
I will display wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below:
blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
Then everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.
“Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me;
because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad
and my tongue rejoices.
Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,
because you will not abandon me in Hades
or allow your holy one to see decay.
You have revealed the paths of life to me;
you will fill me with gladness
in your presence.
“Brothers and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay.
“God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:
The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool.’
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Click here to listen to the Scripture in ESV.
In an act that undoes the confusion brought about at the Tower of Babel, the Holy Spirit unites people from different backgrounds at Pentecost. What are some of the biggest barriers to unity in your own life or community, and how can the Holy Spirit help you overcome them?
The early church lived in radical generosity and fellowship. In what practical ways can you emulate their commitment to sharing and community?
Focus
Read this devotional about the upcoming Sunday sermon’s passage’s connection to the whole story of Scripture from Kraig McNutt, a Story of Scripture team member.
Devotional on The Tower of Babel - Genesis 11:1-9 by Kraig McNutt
And they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let’s make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered throughout the earth.” (Genesis 11:4)
Today’s passage shows how mankind once again failed to follow God’s plan—namely, his command to “fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). From the beginning, God intended humanity to spread out and steward the world. But when we arrive at the tower of Babel, we see a familiar pattern that runs all throughout Scripture: God’s imagers choosing their own agenda instead of God’s.
Today’s passage reveals humanity’s ongoing quest to find significance and flourishing apart from God’s design. We watch as people, driven by a desire to make a name for themselves, pour their ambition into a towering monument. God’s response is both simple and profound: he takes their upward pride and turns it into outward dispersion, scattering humanity throughout the earth.
It’s helpful to remember that in the Ancient Near East, vertically built towers (likely ziggurats) were thought to serve as platforms that bridged earth and the realm of the gods; these structures were meant to influence, summon, or even manipulate the divine.
The self-revelation of God in the early chapters of Genesis (1–11) keeps pressing this truth on both the original reader and today’s reader: God’s relational presence is never gained by humanity reaching up, but by God graciously reaching down.
In Genesis, we see a pattern unfolding: imagers grasping for greatness through power, domination, and self-exaltation. Some may believe that greatness is found in rising above others rather than serving them. But Scripture consistently ties greatness and true flourishing to how one treats others. When goodness is abandoned for selfish ambition, corruption takes over, and the result is always the same—scattering, isolation, and ruin. When humans reach for greatness without goodness, the tower may rise, but the community always falls. Babel follows this tragic arc.
Babel reminds us that flourishing never comes from climbing higher but from walking closer. Remember, “Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:24). God still invites his imagers to trust his presence, receive his name, and live out his goodness. Greatness isn’t something we build; it’s something he forms in us as we walk with him.
Pray
Ask God to redefine greatness and reshape your ambitions.
Lord, search my heart and reveal where I seek significance apart from you. Where I strive to make a name for myself, teach me to receive my identity from you instead. Lead me away from self-exaltation and toward faithful presence. Help me flourish not by climbing higher, but by walking closer with you.
Going Deeper
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.
