Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/782

 and Matthias. After praying for  light,  from  above,  they  cast  lots, and the  lot  fell  upon  Matthias,  who  was  numbered  with  the  eleven apostles, and  filled  the  place  left  vacant  by  the  lamentable  fall of Judas.

Ten days  after  the  Ascension,  the  Jews  celebrated  the  feast of Pentecost.

On that  day  the  apostles  were  assembled together,  persevering in  prayer,  when  suddenly  there  came  a sound  from  heaven as of  a mighty  rushing  wind,  and  it  filled  the  whole  house  where they were  sitting. There appeared  to  them  parted  tongues,  as it  were,  of  fire4,  and  it  sat  upon  every  one  of  them. And they were filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  began  to  speak  in  divers tongues.

Now there  were  at  that  time  in  Jerusalem  Jews  from  every nation under  heaven,  who  had  come  for  the  celebration  of  the feast. These, having  heard  of  what  had  taken  place,  hastened with a great  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem  to  the  house wherein the  apostles  were  assembled. Each one  was  astonished to hear  them  speak  in  his  own  tongue. But some  of  the  people mocked them,  saying  that  they  were  full  of  new  wine.

Then Peter,  going  forth  from  the  house  with  the  other  apostles, lifted up  his  voice,  and  spoke:  “These  are  not  drunk,  as  you suppose, but  this  is  that  which  was  spoken  by  the  prophet  Joel: ‘In the  last  days  I will  pour  out  My  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,  and your sons  and  your  daughters  shall  prophesy. Ye men  of  Israel,