Where

“And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” (1) Where exactly does the “house where they were sitting” refers to? Some believe they were still in the upper room (the second floor room). If so, the question arises as to how they moved from the upper room to the Temple area, as Luke does not mention anything about this transition. By Acts 2:5, they are already in the Temple area. This suggests that they were likely not in the upper room at that time. It seems more accurate to think that they were already in the Temple area celebrating the feast. The time was already 9 a.m., a time when people would already be at the Temple celebrating the feast. (2) Here, “the house” refers to the Temple. In Stephen’s sermon, “house” is used to mean the Temple as he says, “But it was Solomon who built a house for Him” (Acts 7:47). (3) The location they were in is likely Solomon’s portico within the Temple area. The Lord Jesus frequently used this area. “It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple area, in the portico of Solomon.” (John 10:23). The apostles also favored the same portico. “While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the portico named Solomon’s, completely astonished” (Acts 3:11). “And they were all together in Solomon’s portico.” (Acts 5:12).

Who

Who began “to speak with different tongues?” (1) The traditional interpretation is that all 120 believers did so. This interpretation is possible, but there are contextual issues. (2) Who are “they” when it says, “they were all together in one place”? All 120 people, or just the 12 apostles? Luke’s writing originally had no chapter or verse divisions, meaning Acts 1:26 and Acts 2:1 are connected. Considering this, “they” contextually refers to the 12 apostles. (3) Let’s look at Acts 2:7: “They were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?’” Those who spoke in different tongues were all Galileans, referring to the 12 apostles, who were all from Galilee. The apostles speaking in tongues they had never learned was a sign of the Holy Spirit’s descent. From this point on, the Holy Spirit empowers believers and dwells within their hearts. We too partake in this blessing. Let’s listen to the voice of the indwelling Holy Spirit every day.