ACTS SERIES: RECEPTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – CHAPTER 2

 In the spring, the Jews were required to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem and assemble for two festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). The first festival was the Passover, and forty-nine days afterward, the Feast of Weeks. The Feast of Weeks, the Greek name for The Feast of Weeks, is the setting of Acts 2 (Deuteronomy 16:9-10). At this time, Jerusalem was filled with people originally from seventeen nations: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, dwellers in Mesopotamia, Judaea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya, Cyrene, strangers of Rome, Cretans, Arabians, Jews, and proselytes. And it is at this appointed time God has chosen to manifest in a new way.

Following the instructions of Jesus, the believers, with one accord, stayed in Jerusalem for ten days in an upper room. The Feast of Weeks was beginning, for the day of Pentecost had arrived, and without warning, the room’s occupants heard the sound of a forceful wind that came from heaven and filled the house. Upon each of them sat what appeared to be cloven tongues like fire, and all were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them the words. Please note the occupants were filled first with the Holy Spirit, and then they had the ability to speak in another language. Also note in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon individuals such as Jephthah, Gideon, Othniel, Samson, and Saul; however, they did not speak in another language (Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 14:6; 1 Samuel 10:10)

This event became public for multitudes of people gathered when they heard the believers speaking the wonderful works of God in their languages. Amazed that the Galileans could speak in another dialect, some accused them of being drunk while others began to question what had occurred.

With the power to be a witness, Peter, becoming the spokesman for the believers, stood and took the opportunity to minister to the crowd. Using words spoken by the prophet Joel, he defined what had occurred. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” Additionally, he shared four proofs of the resurrection of Jesus and a bit of end-time events that would happen during the tribulation and before the return of Jesus to the earth. Peter concluded with the prophetic quote of David concerning the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, and he declared, “God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Psalms 16:8-10; 110:1)

Being convicted of their sinful actions, the crowd responded, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter responded giving his first salvation invitation, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

As Peter continued to witness, encourage, and exhort that day, three thousand souls gladly received his word and were baptized. The growing converts joined with the apostles and fellow believers as they fervently adhered to the apostle’s teaching. Furthermore, they consistently prayed, fellowshipped with God and each other in their homes and temple, shared meals and resources, and their numbers grew. The fear of God was on the people, and signs and wonders were performed at the hands of the apostles.   

The promise to all that are far off that Peter spoke about in verse thirty-nine refers to us. God’s desire is that all should be saved and not perish, so He has provided the solution, which is to follow Peter’s instructions in verse thirty-eight. Therefore, I am now inviting you to become part of God’s chosen family. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and are reading this post like Peter, I encourage you to repent, be baptized, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Also, like the new converts in this chapter, it is essential that you connect with a church where you can be discipled and have fellowship with fellow believers. Finally, God bless and keep you as you progress in your Christian walk.