Pentecost is the Old Testament Feast of Weeks (Ex 34:22). By the time the events in Acts occurred it had become a celebration of the giving of the Law to Moses. It is therefore appropriate that the Holy Spirit was given to the church on that day. For under the Old Covenant people lived by the Law, now we are to live by the Spirit.
The coming of the Spirit was noticeable, both by the presence of a violent wind and the appearance of tongues of fire. The Hebrew word for Spirit can mean wind, and John the Baptist had said Jesus would baptise them with fire. The Spirit came to rest on each one of them, and they began to speak in other tongues by the ability of the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is not a mere theological truth, but something that has a tangible effect.
The event immediately began to have an effect on the whole city. Because of the time of year there were people from many areas, and all of them heard the disciples speaking in their own language. Some were amazed, others mocked.
So we see here two key aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit. He has an effect on the individual Christian, and then that effect will start to have an influence on the world around.
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