The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 ^(A) On the day of Pentecost^[a] all the Lord's followers were together in one place. ² Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. ³ Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. ⁴ The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

4 ¹ Children who are under age are no better off than slaves, even though everything their parents own will someday be theirs. ² This is because children are placed in the care of guardians and teachers until the time their parents have set. ³ This is how it was with us. We were like children ruled by the powers of this world.

⁴ But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, ^5 (A) so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children. ^6 (B) Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father. ⁷ You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised.