Lighting is used to illuminate a structure. We can miss the point of Acts 2 - see what the signs are trying to illuminate.
1. Understanding the events (v1-11). Pentecost was a yearly celebration. - with a lot of history. Initially, a celebration of the first fruits of the harvest. (50 days after Passover) - In Luke's time it is a time of remembrance when God gave the Law to Moses. We will see parallels to Exodus 18. (a) Sound (v6) - all heard it. But it was coming from a house. (b) Vision (v3) of tongues and fire - God often visits in fire. (c) Talking in languages (v6) - dialects they didn't know. (People surprise that people were Galilean - uneducated - bogan).
2. Understanding the meaning (v12-21). (a) Some said they were drunk (b) Others wanted to know the meaning. Peter refers to the Prophet Joel (v17-21) how God had prophesied this day. The message of God would be proclaimed by ordinary people - all of God's people - all filled with the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 - Jesus said - He will guide you into all truth, and making it known.
3. Implications: (a) We have a window of opportunity to spread the Gospel. Or are we investing in the things of here and now. (b) Find comfort in your 'filling' of the Holy Spirit. God now dwells in us by His Spirit - if Jesus is our Saviour. (c) God wants to get our attention. The day of Pentecost was a unique event - and should not expect it to be repeated today. Pentecost was clear declaration to get our attention.
