Lesson 335

(Lesson 335)(07-15-12) Acts 2:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

This lesson describes when and how the Holy Ghost first came to the Apostles. It tells us that The Holy Ghost came over them like the forked flames of a fire. They were totally engulfed, like a fire would engulf a patch of dry grass.

There are some who take the wrong message from what is said here, "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.". They interpret this to mean that the Apostles were given special "tongues", and that the phrase, "like cloven tongues" indicates something literal. That interpretation, however, is incorrect. The statement, when read correctly, "like cloven tongues of fire", simply describes how the Spirit appeared as it came to them, it clearly defines the "tongues" as flames of fire.
"Tongues", or "unknown tongues" are heavily stressed in some belief systems. I hope this study will shine some light on the real meaning of the term "tongues" as we continue these lessons.~