The Alternate Road  

     Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives - many witnesses saw this - the disciples were assembled on the day of Pentecost (The 50th day, seventh Sunday, from Easter). 

     Attendees included Jews from at least 12 other nations. Three decades later, Dr. Luke, a Gentile, educated historian, who investigated all that had happened during those times, wrote:

     "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them (the disciples)." 

     "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ...each one heard them speaking in his own language."

     Luke wrote that the foreigners were "amazed and perplexed. Some made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much wine.'" 

     Peter, led by the Spirit, pointed out that it was only 9 in the morning. He went on to tell everyone what they needed to know. Read it in Acts 2. 

     This was not the exhuberant fisherman we once knew. The frightened man who lied to save himself was now ready to die for his faith in Jesus, if necessary. Nor were the other disciples ever the same. 

     Luke wrote Acts for Gentile converts who had no background in Jewish history. In the gospel of Luke he wrote of the births of John and Jesus, the genealogy of Jesus from Adam, and about demons, and the Lord's many teachings.

Tomorrow: Call to All