Dual Panel1When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force--no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building.
3Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks,
4and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
5There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world.
6When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck.
7They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans?
8How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?
9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome,
11both Jews and proselytes; Even Cretans and Arabs! "They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!"
12Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"
13Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."
14That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: "Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight.
15These people aren't drunk as some of you suspect. They haven't had time to get drunk--it's only nine o'clock in the morning.
16This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:
17"In the Last Days," God says, "I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams.
18When the time comes, I'll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both, and they'll prophesy.
19I'll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and billowing smoke,
20the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, Before the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous;
21And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved."
22"Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you--the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge--
23this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him.
24But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him.
25David said it all: I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he's right by my side.
26I'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I've pitched my tent in the land of hope.
27I know you'll never dump me in Hades; I'll never even smell the stench of death.
28You've got my feet on the life-path, with your face shining sun-joy all around.
29"Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried--his tomb is in plain sight today.
30But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom,
31seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah--'no trip to Hades, no stench of death.'
32This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it.
33Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear.
34For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say, God said to my Master, "Sit at my right hand
35Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet."
36"All Israel, then, know this: There's no longer room for doubt--God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross."
37Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?"
38Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away--whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."
40He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
41That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up.
42They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43Everyone around was in awe--all those wonders and signs done through the apostles!
44And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.
45They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
46They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful,
47as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.