Most people have heard of the Day of Pentecost. Some connect it with Pentecostals, speaking in tongues, or the charismatic movement. Rudy Ross rightly sees Pentecost as the time when the Ten Commandments were given.
We should all be thankful that on the Day of Pentecost, God made His Spirit available not only to be with us but to live within us.
Before we examine the Day of Pentecost, take a moment to reflect on these words from Paul:
“But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
But if Christ is in you, then the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” (Romans 8:9-11)
How do we know that we belong to Jesus Christ and will be in heaven when we die? It is through the Spirit who lives within us.
Notice that being in Christ and being in the Spirit are interchangeable terms. Paul often uses these phrases in the same way. Everything Jesus was to His disciples, the Holy Spirit now is to us, with one exception: Jesus walked beside His disciples, but the Holy Spirit lives within us.
The Day of Pentecost
As John baptized people, he told them that he could only baptize with water. He said a time would come when people would be baptized with fire and the Holy Spirit.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11)
This happened on the day of Pentecost.
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” (Acts 2:1-3)
What happened to the people gathered to worship the Lord and live together in unity must have been an amazing experience. The baptism of fire that John prophesied rested on their heads without burning them. The Holy Spirit came upon them in a way that everyone could see as they spoke in other languages.
“And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.” (Acts 2:6)
Paul talks about speaking in other tongues, an unintelligible language, in 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14. I believe that is different from this experience. Here, I believe the language could be understood.
Speaking in tongues seems to be a heavenly language. In those three chapters, Paul gives clear directions for how this gift of the Spirit should be used.
Filled with the Spirit
On the day of Pentecost, the church received a wonderful gift: the filling of the Holy Spirit. Later, Paul spoke not only about the privilege of being filled with the Spirit, but also the responsibility.
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)
What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? One man compared it to being drunk with wine. When you are drunk, you are controlled, captivated, and motivated by the wine. When you are filled with the Spirit, you are likewise activated, captivated, and motivated by the Holy Spirit.
What is the purpose of being filled with the Spirit? First, it is to develop the character of the Holy Spirit.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Second, it shows the world that we have left the bondage of this fallen world and become citizens of the Kingdom of God.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
As I write more about the Book of Acts, there will be many chances to discuss the Holy Spirit. For now, let’s close this article with one thought: We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only is this a command, but it is also one of God’s greatest gifts to us.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Acts 2:1-13 on YouTube today.
Real Voices 