The word tongue in tongues of fire (2:3) is the same word used to describe other languages in Acts 2:4. Normally in Scripture, the same word used in such close proximity has the same meaning. So are the tongues of fire a sign or symbol of the coming event? Consider the following: (1) The word tongues in reference to fire is sometimes an ancient Hebraic way of saying, “flames of fire” (Brown 1980, 77, 546). (2) For a sign or symbol to be effective, both the giver and the receiver must assign it the same meaning. Anything other than this standard rule of communication results in confusion. In this instance, the disciples could not have understood the tongues of fire to symbolize speaking in other tongues because no one had ever experienced such a phenomenon before, they were not in a position to expect it. (3) Throughout his books, Luke commonly gives detailed descriptions of physical phenomena without attaching further theological meaning to them. In light of these three observations, then, we can conclude that the tongues of fire most likely were not a sign or symbol of the speaking in tongues that followed (Bruce 1988, 51). The second part of the description is fire. When used metaphorically, fire can symbolize everything from God’s judgment to God’s blessing and presence (Bruce 1988, 50; Horton 2001, 55). The meaning in this passage is probably a refinement of the latter. Numerous passages refer to fire’s symbolizing not only God’s presence but also His sanction or approval (for example, 1 Kings 18:36–38). With these factors in mind, it is possible to say that the tongues of fire were God’s stamp of approval on the disciples to be His sanctioned prophetic witnesses. They would bear a message that was likewise sanctioned by God.