Acts 2:3-5
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,[a] which parted and came to rest on each one of them.(A) 4 And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,[b] as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.(B)
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
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- 2:3 Tongues as of fire: see Ex 19:18 where fire symbolizes the presence of God to initiate the covenant on Sinai. Here the holy Spirit acts upon the apostles, preparing them to proclaim the new covenant with its unique gift of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).
- 2:4 To speak in different tongues: ecstatic prayer in praise of God, interpreted in Acts 2:6, 11 as speaking in foreign languages, symbolizing the worldwide mission of the church.
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