Fire in the Old Testament was an identifier of the presence of God, a visible manifestation of Yahweh’s glory and essence.3 It was also a way of describing divine beings in God’s service (Judg 13:20; Psa 104:4).4 The wind and fire in Acts 2 signified to readers informed by divine council scenes that the gathered followers of Jesus were being commissioned by divine encounter. They were being chosen to preach the good news of Jesus’ work. The fire connects them to the throne room. The tongues are emblematic of their speaking ministry.
