In the last two postings the topic has been centered about what occurred between the ascension of Jesus Christ to the point we are about to look into: The day of Pentecost.

It was the actions of Peter trying to assert himself as the head of the Christian community is what required Pentecost to become such a tremendous event that it was and in addition turning it into as the title of this posting implies: a second tower of Babel. Peter introduced a procedure of men picking men, which was never the intent of Christ. Peter used questionable scripture and even broke one of Christ commandments taught during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:5-6). It was Peter’s behavior and actions that required God to manifest His Son’s importance and presence. This was to put the usurper in his place as merely a servant of Christ, not His replacement.

With this said, let us look at the first tower of Babel:

Genesis 11:1-9 NKJV – Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Now let us look at the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:1-12 NKJV – When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

What do we see in these two events:

The first thing we see is how it descends upon those that are the followers of Christ. Not in prayer but in one accord. This shows that yes we can gather together as a group and be one in what we seek after without having a prayer spoken. If prayers are being said. They are said in the minds of those gathered together. Where no one is aware that it is occurring. They are all gathered together listening to Scripture and expanding upon understanding of the Word of God. Much like you reading this posting is meant to do.

To show those gathered together that Jesus Christ is the Son of God this occurs:

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.”

This was required to remind those gathered together that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The roaring wind and sound as well as the tentacles of fire dividing and touching each and every person present was needed to not only fulfill Christ promise of sending His Comforter, but also to show Peter who was in charge and it wasn’t him. If Peter had not done what he did in verses 12-26 of the first chapter of Acts the Comforter most likely would have come upon them in a more comforting manner.

Then, next we see that those gathered there all spoke in one language “Galilean” most likely Aramaic ended up speaking at minimum sixteen languages. This was comparable to the first Babel, yet it was different. For unlike the first where they were confused and bewildered and scattered to all point of the globe. Those near by gathered together to hear these people speaking in the languages they knew and recognized and cause many to come and see that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and they were to repent and follow Him as one people: Christians.

This is all shown in the verses that follows those shown above. We also see in those same verses Peter as he was meant to be. A servant of Christ not a usurper. For the Holy Spirit had filled Peter and he quoted correctly verse after verse from the OT. Showing that it is the Holy Spirit is who we are to listen to not humans that stand upon a dais acting like they know what is right when most times they don’t. For in the previous chapter Peter used a dubious connection to OT verses to name a new twelfth apostle. When only one being can pick an apostle and this is Jesus Christ Himself as shown later in the book of Acts when He makes Saul become Paul and the new twelfth apostle. An apostle chosen to bring the gentiles into the family of God through His Son Jesus Christ.

In summary we see that the second tower of Babel worked in reverse of the first yet contains the same elements in both. It brings people together under Christ as long as they Study the Word of God. Obey His commandments and follow His teachings. As long as they do this and are filled with the Holy Spirit they will be one with God through Jesus Christ. A servant of Christ and never a usurper.