The text of Acts reveals the preaching of Jesus’ completed gospel, with power, for the first time. It was accompanied with power from the Holy Spirit. One sign given as seen in our text is the gift of tongues or languages. The apostles were able to speak to the audience “each in our own language in which we were born” (8) through the power of God.
Some mocked in response, “They are full of new wine” (13). This contention was obviously false. Getting drunk does not make one a polyglot. Setting aside Peter’s objection that it was still early in the day, what they claimed simply was not possible.
The other response was perplexity and amazement (12), as God’s intended. The fact that on that day 3,000 became obedient to that gospel (41) with growth continuing in the days and weeks to come indicates clearly both the power of God, and the significance of Pentecost. It was the establishment of Jesus’ church, as God has in these “last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2).
