Scripture: Acts 2 v 1 - 4:
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
The Feast of Pentecost, it is a Jewish feast day first celebrated 50 days after the first Passover, when the Jews left Egypt to go into the Promised Land. Israel had arrived at Mount Sinai and received The Law according to Leviticus 23 v 15 - 16: "And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD."
Because Pentecost is also the day God the Father sent God the Holy Spirit to empower the followers of Jesus, we celebrate it on the first Sunday after the actual day. So we can expect God to fulfil the promise Jesus gave in Acts 1 v 8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Everything that happened to the Jews physically in the deliverance from Egypt, is repeated spiritually for the followers of Jesus. Egypt is a type of the sinful world full of oppression, pain and captivity. So when we come out of the world we are translated into the kingdom of light, our promised land.
Jesus is our Passover Lamb, whose Blood caused sin and spiritual death to be removed from us. He goes before us to help us escape the troubles of the world and to make us examples for sinners to desire what we have. We are born again into true freedom even in hard times, or places. Leaving Earth for Heaven is not a tragedy.
In the verses above the little word that jumps out to me is "and"..... You shall be witnesses. We can only tell people the truth about what Jesus has changed in our lives. How He removed sinful habits and restored peace in our hearts. How He healed us and delivered us from harmful things. There may not be immediate response but the Holy Spirit is the after Preacher who reminds them of your words.
1 when Pentecost arrived they were waiting together expectantly for something to happen.
2 suddenly they heard a sound. It was not a wind just the sound of a hurricane type wind. The sound filled the house where they sat.
3 tongues of fire appeared on their heads. Today its called being on fire for Jesus, as that is what it does.
4 they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in tongues. He comes with gifts. He fills us with the presence and power of God.
That first outpouring of the Holy Spirit turned sombre, scared disciples into noisy and excited people. They were speaking loudly in tongues so much that people in the street heard them and said that they must all be drunk, even though it was only 9 O'clock in the morning.
But others who had come from far distances to celebrate the feast of Pentecost, said they could understand the words spoken in foreign languages. "These people are declaring the wonders and power of God" they said. The Gift of Tongues can be in known or unknown languages.
Speaking, praying, or singing in tongues releases us to worship in one accord, singing the high praises of God and receiving enlightenment from Him. Raising our hands in praise and thanksgiving is realising that we are just little children asking to be picked up. We need to be hugged and perhaps a special treat gets slipped into our pocket.
Our Father knew we would need ultra strong spiritual help to overcome the wiles of the Devil. He gave believers the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He is everywhere at once. He knows and sees everything. He understands what we need and offers solutions to us. He empowers us.
Pentecost is a time of rejoicing because ten days after the Ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came down to fill the disciples with the same power as Jesus had when He was on Earth. The same day a revived Peter, preached to the crowds who had gathered around them. 3000 repented and were saved.
The crowd were also filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter wrote in Acts 2 v 38 - 39 that if they repented and were baptized they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, 'the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.'
The promise is to all of us far off people to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. To Peter He was speaking about continents yet to be discovered and filled with people. People yet to be born who would believe and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
As well as tongues we need to have the other gifts flowing in our lives and ministries. We must be in one Spirit to have unity in the Body. What of those in churches where none of the above is mentioned or practised? I was one of them who was a lifelong regular churchgoer but I only met Jesus and was born again at age 25.
How my life changed! It took another five years to discover I needed to be baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit but through sheer persistence Jesus got me there. What a blessed journey it has been since then. Never a dull moment! Very powerful things happen when we walk with God in the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is known as Teacher, Friend, Helper, Comforter, Paraclete - One who comes alongside to assist. He has been on Earth for 2000 years building a church not made with hands. The church is made up of people who follow the Lamb without any compromise. They are forgiven of sin, baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit and their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
He enhances our lives immeasurably and always exalts Jesus. The nine gifts He brings have depths and layers that He adds to those who use His gifts with wisdom and integrity. So seek Him with all your heart and He will never disappoint you.
1 Corinthians 12 v 7 - 10: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:"
Just bear in mind that our enemy has a counterfeit of all these gifts. He cannot originate anything but he can twist things in order to deceive people who are ignorant of his tricks. For example Prophecy is twisted into Fortune telling, Astrology or Divination. Something we should always avoid and help others do the same. Satanists also speak in tongues but it sounds extremely harsh and chilling. The Tongues from the Holy Spirit are gentle and beautiful.
The Holy Spirit is He who convicts sinners of sin, righteousness and judgment. He brings sinners to their knees in repentance. He shows them people who live in righteousness, how blessed they are. He shows them God's judgment if they reject Jesus.
Let us be blessed and search the Spirit of God for more gifts to be opened for us today!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to us that the Holy Spirit should come to followers of Jesus in all generations. Please open the hearts of those who don't know Him to receive this wonderful experience and blessing. In Jesus' name. Amen.