Pentecost, the Power to Change the World
Acts 2:1-4 AMP
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately].”
The power of the Holy Spirit is the power of God. The Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, great and powerful works are done through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Spirit as a permanent guide, teacher, seal of salvation, and comforter for believers (John 14:16-18).
He also promised that the Holy Spirit’s power would help His followers to spread the message of the gospel around the world: (Acts 1:8). When the Holy Spirit descended upon believers at Pentecost, it was not a quiet event, but a powerful one. “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
Immediately afterward, the disciples spoke to the crowds gathered in Jerusalem. At this time thousands of Jews descended on Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks. These people were from a variety of nations and therefore spoke many different languages.
Imagine their surprise and wonder when the disciples spoke to them in their own languages (Acts 2:5–12)! This event propelled Christianity like a blaze of fire throughout the none world.
What does this experience mean to us today?
- The Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus.
- The Holy Spirit gives us power to witness.
- The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.
- The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin.
- The Holy Spirit reveals God’s word to us.
- The Holy Spirit brings us closer to other believers.
“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.” (Acts 4:32)
Prayer:
Lord, as we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we realize the power that lives within our hearts, minds, Spirits and bodies. Your power was not given to us to be idle, but to be witnesses to the world of what God has done for us. That power that can change peoples, Holy Spirit use us today!