And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues, х diamerizomenai (G1266) gloossai (G1100)] - 'disparted tongues' or tongue shaped, flame-like appearances, rising from a common center or root, and not 'streaming through the chamber and floating downward' (as Neander romances), but; resting upon each one of that large company: beautiful symbol this of the Spirit's burning energy now descending in plentitude upon the Church, and about to pour its full tide through every tongue, and over every tribe of men under heaven! Even in the pagan poets (as has been noticed) the appearance of fire playing about the head denotes divine favour (Ovid 'Fasti' 6: 635; Virgil, 'AEneid' 2: 682). But it is to more purpose, perhaps, to call to mind how, under the ancient economy, the descent of fire from heaven upon the sacrifices was the appointed and recognized symbol of the divine presence and favour (Genesis 15:17; Leviticus 9:24; 1 Kings 18:38; and cf. Exodus 19:18). Neander would represent this whole scene as purely internal. 'The glory (says he) of the inner life then imparted to them might so reflect its splendour on surrounding objects, that by virtue of the internal miracle-the elevation of their inward life and consciousness through the power of the Divine Spirit-the objects of outward perception appeared quite changed. And thus it is not improbable that all which presented itself to them as a perception of the outward senses might, in fact, be only a perception of the predominant inward mental state-a sensuous objectiveness of what was operating inwardly with divine power-similar to the ecstatic visions which are elsewhere mentioned is Holy Writ.' Such explanations are not only fitted to shake the credibility of the narrative itself, as a piece of sober history, but encourage a pestilent spirit of scepticism the credibility of the narrative itself, as a piece of sober history, but encourage a pestilent spirit of scepticism in regard to all that is supernatural in the Bible.