If you have read my past posts on Facebook or on my site, you know how I love to show connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The celebration of Pentecost is no different. We could talk about the celebration itself, but there is a more interesting aspect. Think back to Genesis. In Chapter 11, the “whole earth had one language and few words.” However, the people decided to make a “name” for themselves and build a city with a tower that reached to Heaven. In other words, they wanted to be gods. So, what did God do? He “confused” their speech so that they could not understand each other. Right after this event, God calls Abram (Abraham) and promises him a nation, a kingship and that all the world would be blessed through his seed.
Now fast forward to Acts and Pentecost. Christ has come, died, rose, and ascended to Heaven saving the world from sin, thus fulfilling the last promise made to Abraham. Jerusalem was packed with pilgrims as Pentecost was one of the three required pilgrimages that all Jews had to make. They came from all over the world and spoke different languages. The Holy Spirit came upon those gathered together and all the sudden everyone irrespective of their language could understand the message from God. Pentecost reversed the Tower of Babel!