At the beginning is a reference to Pentecost, a phrase which is sometimes difficult to render since it does not specify what began. In some languages this is best expressed as “just as it happened to us at the first,” “just as the Holy Spirit came to us at first,” or “as the Holy Spirit came first to us.” As has been noted in a number of other contexts, the particular expression used with regard to the coming of the Holy Spirit depends upon the receptor language in question, for example, “comes down on,” “comes into,” “comes on,” “comes to control,” or “possesses.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .