Acts 2:1-4 – “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
God gave birth to the New Testament Church on the Day of Pentecost. He poured out His power. The first Pentecost is recorded in Exodus 19. God met with the children of Israel on Mount Sinai and He gave them the Torah.
When He descended, He put on a demonstration of His mighty power. Exodus 19:16-19 reads, “Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.”
In the traditional sight on the Upper Room there is a sign that reads, “Please maintain silence this is a holy place.” This is ironic because there was anything but silence in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit was poured out. There was a rushing mighty wind that filled the house. Tongues of fire appeared and 120 people were speaking in tongues. Acts 2:6 says, “And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.”
It got loud on that day. What was God doing? He was fulfilling the promise of Pentecost. Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
What is the result of this release of power through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? To make us bold and effective witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit will enable us to live and overcoming life. Charles Spurgeon, “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.”
This power is available to us today. In Acts 2:39 the Apostle Peter share this powerful promise. “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” To experience this power we must answer His call.
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