Focal Passage: Acts 2:5-16, 36-38
In this week’s study we examine probably one of the most discussed phenomena’s in the New Testament. When the Holy Spirit came upon the believers it marked one of the most remarkable events in the life of a follower of Jesus. Until this time, the Holy Spirit made His appearance in specific instances and only for certain period of time.
However, this time His appearance was very different. This time the Holy Spirit took up permanent residence in the lives of the believers. What happened then is still happening today to everyone who puts their faith in Jesus. At that moment, the Holy Spirit enters our heart and makes it His permanent home.
In Acts 2:5-16, we see that Jerusalem was crowded with people there for the Feast of Pentecost. They came from everywhere even as far away as Rome, Egypt and Asia. And, there were as many languages and dialects as there were countries.
After the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, they began speaking in the languages of the people represented by those countries. The crowds were confused because these were men from Galilee. They did not expect to hear them speaking any other language but Greek or Aramaic.
Nimmo
There is debate concerning the word “tongues.” Some argue it was “glossolalia,” or “ecstatic utterances,” and that the miracle was God interpreted that in the hearers’ ears. Others believe that the disciples actually spoke in the languages of the hearers and the miracle was God gave the disciples the ability to speak a language they did not know. To dwell on which is right is to miss the point. Bottom line, it doesn’t matter, it was a supernatural event that opened the door for what came next.
Seeing the confusion and the opportunity, Peter then stands up and begins to explain what this all means. I have always been inspired by this sermon. It was a simple sermon containing three elements, Scripture, personal experience and the Holy Spirit. Peter used Joel and Psalms to explain what was happening in Scripture and then shared his own personal experience of being with Jesus.
In verses 36-38, it says the people were cut to the heart. They heard a simple sermon from a simple fisherman empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. This combination brought tremendous results. In fact, the Scripture says that about 3,000 people were saved that day.
I am encouraged every time I read this passage. Sometimes we think we need more everything to be an effective witness — more scriptural knowledge, more dramatic life stories, better speaking abilities and the list goes on. But, we don’t.
All we need to fulfill the Great Commission in our life is to keep it simple. All I need is God’s Word, a witness of what He has done for me, and the Holy Spirit living in me. God will then take care of the rest. B&R
