ith the Holy
Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance."

The "sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind" was heard
abroad;[1410] and a multitude gathered about the place. The visible
manifestation of "cloven tongues like as of fire," by which each of the
Twelve was invested, was seen by those within the house, but apparently
not by the gathering crowds. The apostles spoke to the multitude, and a
great miracle was wrought, by which "every man heard them speak in his
own language"; for the apostles, now richly gifted, spake in many
tongues, as the Holy Ghost, by whom they had been endowed, gave them
utterance. There were present men from many lands and of many nations,
and their languages were diverse. In amazement some of them said:
"Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every
man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" While many were impressed
by the preternatural ability of the brethren, others in mocking tones
said the men were drunken. This instance of Satanic prompting to
inconsiderate speech is especially illustrative of inconsistency and
rash ineptitude. Strong drink gives to no man wisdom; it steals away his
senses and makes of him a fool.

Then Peter, as the president of the Twelve, stood up and proclaimed in
behalf of himself and his brethren: "Ye men of Judea, and all ye that
dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for
these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of
the day." It was the Jewish custom, particularly on festival days, to
abstain from food and drink until after the morning service in synagog,
which was held about the third hour, or nine o'clock in the forenoon.
The apostle cited ancient prophecy embodying the promise of Jehovah that
He would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, so that wonders would be
wrought, even as those there present witnessed.[1411] Then boldly did
Peter testify of Jesus of Nazareth, whom he characterized as "a man
approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God
did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know;" and,
reminding them, in accusing earnestness, of the awful crime to which
they had been in some degree parties, he continued: "Him, being
delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have
taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath
raised up, having loosed the pains