[:en]SCRIPTURE: ACTS 2
Bible Verses:
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:17-21)
“David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” (Acts 2:25-28)
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:36)
“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)
“ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)
THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES AT PENTECOST (vs. 1-13)
When the day of Pentecost came, it was the day appointed for the “birthday of the church”. Many people got together and the Holy Spirit came from heaven and rest upon each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. Everyone were bewildered because each one heard them speaking in their own language. Someone said maybe they were drunk.
PETER ADDRESSES THE CROWD (vs. 14-41)
The Spirit gave Peter insight into the Word when he addressed the crowd and showed them Christ in the Word. He spoke how Jesus was put to death on the cross but God raised him from the dead. He was exalted to the right hand of God and had poured out the Holy Spirit that he had promised. Peter said: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v. 38). Many accepted his messages and were baptized. About 3,000 were added to their number that day.
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE BELIEVERS (vs. 42-47)
The Holy Spirit filled the believers and empowered them to be the witness of the church to convict the lost. The Holy Spirit also assisted the believers in their church fellowship. The apostles did many wonders and miraculous signs and everyone was filled with awe. The believers sold their possessions and gave to the needy. They continued to meet together. “They broke bread in their houses and ate together with glad and sincere hearts praising God and enjoying their favor of all the people” (vs. 46-47)
THOUGHTS:
The body of Christ is composed of church members who have different kinds of gifts: Apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, gift of healing, helping, administration and speaking in tongues. The gift of tongue is not identified as one of the most important gifts. (1 Cor. 12:7-11)
The tongues of fire came from heaven to rest on many believers. Fire symbolized God’s purifying power to burn away the undesirable elements of our lives and set our hearts aflame to ignite the lives of others. The Holy Spirit dwells in believer’s heart to teach and guide his life.[:]