I was reading the story of Pentecost in the book of Acts and was struck by the question in Acts 2:12; “What does this mean?” This was the reaction of those who heard the disciples “speaking of the mighty deeds of God” (Verse 11) in their own languages after the Holy Spirit fell. They were open to hear more from God.

Actually, there were two very different reactions. Verse 13 tells us that “others were mocking and saying, ‘They are full of sweet wine'” thereby accusing them of being drunk. Two groups of people saw and heard the same incident but had two separate views of what really happened.

I started to wonder: if I had been there, which group would I have been in? It’s easy to read this incident from the vantage point of two thousand years later and look with distain at those hard hearted mockers. But in the two thousand years since the first Pentecost, the same two groups still exist.

I found myself asking the Lord for a new fresh Pentecost to be poured out into the earth today. I’m sure that reaction would be as mixed as it was then. But when Peter finished his first sermon (Verses 14 to 36) three thousand souls were added to their number. The kingdom of God expanded. That’s what it means. HOLY SPIRIT COME!