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Updated: Saturday, 19 July 2008, 23:27 (BST)

12 May 2008 | Acts 2 v 1-11

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages by the power the Holy Spirit was giving them.

There were some religious Jews staying in Jerusalem who were from every country in the world. When they heard this noise, a crowd came together. They were all surprised, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were completely amazed at this. They said, "Look! Aren't all these people that we hear speaking from Galilee? Then how is it possible that we each hear them in our own languages? We are from different places: Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the areas of Libya near Cyrene, Rome (both Jews and those who had become Jews), Crete, and Arabia. But we hear them telling in our own languages about the great things God has done!"

Notes

Have you ever been in a foreign land? In a busy, bustling city where you don't speak the language? You step out of the airport and suddenly you're assaulted by new sights and sounds. People shouting, joking, arguing - all in words you can't understand. Imagine this: instead of naively sharing the contents of your wallet with the nearest taxi driver, you stop and stand still. You look and listen. Around you people are starting to praise God. They are singing and praying and talking and slowly you realise that you can understand. Every. Single. Word. And so can everyone else.



Yesterday was Pentecost: a celebration of a turning point in history. God's spirit came in power to transform. At Pentecost, boundaries of race, wealth and language were shattered. People from all nations heard the word of God in their own tongue. The Spirit brought connection, communication, and the sense of belonging to a wider global community.



This week is Christian Aid week. We believe in life before death for ALL people. Use these next few days to think about the many ways in which the Holy Spirit can help us bring renewed life to those living in poverty and despair around the world.

Prayer

Dear God, help me to understand that I am part of a global community. Use your Holy Spirit at work in me to bring good news to my brothers and sisters around the world. Amen.





Written by Bianca Parry, Churches Youth Manager at Christian Aid
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