The Promised Holy Spirit Has Arrived!
Acts 2:1-28
In the first
chapter of Acts Jesus told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy
Spirit came. This is the same Holy Spirit Jesus told the then disciples about
in John 16:5-14. In these verses Jesus told his disciples what the Holy
Spirit’s job would be. To convict the world of guilt in regard to sin,
righteousness and judgment, to guide us into all truth and bring glory to
Jesus. In Acts 2 we see the promised Holy Spirit had arrived. What an
incredible moment in time it was when, for the first time, the Holy Spirit came
to minister to the apostles and then to all believers. As had become the custom,
the apostles and some of the other followers of Jesus were all together in one
place. The apostles had committed themselves to prayer as they waited for what
was going to happen next. Suddenly, without warning, we are told a violent wind
from heaven filled the whole house. Admittedly, the houses at this time
did not have insulated windows with central air conditioning or furnaces, so
the windows were in all likelihood open. I am pretty sure though this was
something none had ever experienced before. We have all seen the wind come up
all of a sudden, but we often take shelter in a building to get out of it. Here
the wind is in the house, so if you wanted to avoid it, you would actually have
to go outside. Of course, the apostles did not want to avoid this wind, because
they knew it was something special sent from God. In spite of this violent wind,
they also saw what was called tongues of fire that at first was in the room
they were in by itself and then they separated and appeared to be on each person’s
head. Obviously, no one got burnt or had any issues with the wind or fire, but
what an incredible miracle God sent their way. This display was for one purpose
– to help the apostles know the promise Jesus made to them about the Holy
Spirit coming and providing them incredible power and wisdom was happening. But
the Holy Spirit was not done yet. Now every one of the apostles began speaking
in a language that they had never learned. I believe it would be like you and me
thinking of something to say in English, like we always would, but when we
actually started to speak it, it came out in German, French or Japanese. Would
that get ours and others’ attention today if we started speaking and a language
foreign to most all of us came out of our mouths? This is exactly what happened
with the apostles. They thought in their native language but spoke something
much different. We saw the list of nations or regions that were given. Many
Jews from all over had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and still
remained in Jerusalem. They did not have a clue what was happening or what it
meant. The funniest explanation was to basically say they were drunk. I do not
know if any of you at an earlier time period in your life drank alcohol to
excess, but I am pretty sure no one suddenly spoke fluent Chinese under the
influence. Just like today, though, the people there had to explain why things
happen. Even if the explanation is, to be blunt, stupid, sometimes we still
feel the need to do it. Peter then stepped up to explain to everyone that had
gathered what was really going on. I thought it was a little strange, though,
that Peter told them they could not be drunk as it was only 9 a.m. I seriously doubt those in Jerusalem started
speaking in a language they did not know even if they were drunk later in the
day. Anyway, Peter goes on to quote the Old Testament prophet, Joel, to draw
them to scriptures God had given the Israelites maybe 600 years earlier to show
them what God is doing at this time. In many ways, Peter is telling the people
gathered around, that this is a sign of the beginning of the end. God is moving
in a powerful way, starting today. Transforming lives by allowing his spirit to
live and work among men and women as well as live in men and women who will
believe. Peter then goes on to point out that everything that is happening
began with Jesus. Jesus is the one who performed miracle after miracle and you
rejected him. Jesus proved God was alive and real to the Jewish people and yet
most refused to see the truth. The final miracle performed in Jesus was that
the grave could not hold him. Peter then quoted David, one of the most
respected men of old, to further say what was happening and what could be
happening. The 25th verse makes this clear statement of God’s
presence in our lives, “You have made known to me the paths of life, you will
fill me with joy in your presence. “
This is what
the Holy Spirit has come to do in the church. The church age we are still a
part of today can and does have access to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
still alive and well, seeking men and women of God to encourage, strengthen,
and, yes, point out sin when necessary. What began in Acts 2 is still changing
and transforming lives today. May we seek more and more what the Holy Spirit is
making available to all followers of Christ. Maybe it is and has been happening
in your life for a long time, but may we seek to be the ones people ask, what
is going on with them? There is something different about them that is so good.
I want that in my life too. May each of us ask once again, Holy Spirit fill me
with your love, your power and your wisdom. Teach me the ways of God in a new
and powerful way. I want a fresh dose of your transforming power today.
Bible Study 9:30 Tuesday
If you are willing to give children’s messages, please sign up on the
sheet on the east bulletin board. We hope to start those in July.
June 30 Submissions for July newsletter are due.
June 30 Annual Conference begins with worship at 7:00 p.m. Worship services are
available to all. Go to brethren.org and follow the links. These services are
always wonderful! There is one each evening through Saturday and then Sunday
morning at 9:00.
July 14 Board Meeting
Thanks to everyone for your faithful giving!
Donation Box: VBS
First Sundays: food donations for food banks
Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362
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