Meditate.
On the day of Pentecost all the believers
were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven
like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were
sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled
on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began
speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts
2:1-4
What is Pentecost? What was its
significance in the Old Testament and in the early Christian church?
What does it mean to us today?
Good questions that may need some searching
answers. Pentecost didn’t just happen in there in Jerusalem when the Holy
Spirit came to the believers. It was an ancient Jewish festival that required all
able bodied males to go to the temple in Jerusalem to worship the Lord God and
to give an offering. The specific declaration of that was given in Exodus
23:14-19 and Leviticus 23:9-22. There are references to Jesus attending other
festivals—Passover and the Feast of Booths—but not Pentecost. After His death
and resurrection, Jesus stayed around on earth for forty days (Acts 1:3) and
then He ascended to Heaven. Jesus told His followers to remain in Jerusalem, which
they did for another ten days until the day of Pentecost. On that day when they
were gathered together the Holy Spirit, as promised by God the Father through
Jesus the Son, filled the hearts and lives of those followers. On the day of
His resurrection Jesus visited His disciples in the Upper Room and gave them
the Holy Spirit.
Again he said, "Peace be with you. As
the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." Then he breathed on them and
said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:21-22
When John baptized Jesus at the beginning
of His ministry, he declared that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit!" Mark 1:8
I think it is kind of interesting—although not
significant—that the believers had fire on their heads, but they weren’t burnt.
This same type of thing, fire but not being burnt, happened in a fiery furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded
that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. ….Then the high
officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that
the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their
clothing was not scorched. They didn't even smell of smoke! Daniel 3:19, 27
 |
Likewise, what appeared as tongues of fire
did not burn the believers as they were baptized by the Holy Spirit. The
significance here was that the Holy Spirit was poured out on all these
believers at the same time. Now each believer receives the Holy Spirit
individually as they repent of their sins and declare their belief in Jesus as
their Savior and Lord. Don’t expect to see flames dancing on anyone’s head. We
can continually be filled with the Holy Spirit—in fact that should be the
desire of our hearts daily—to be renewed.
So be careful how you live. Don't live like
fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these
evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to
do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be
filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among
yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for
everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians
5:15-20
Prayer
~ Holy Spirit—Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within
me. Psalm 51:10. Come and fill me with Your love that I may be used to serve
others for God.
Verse
of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness
in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!"
- Psalm 40:16
©
2020 Text and painting by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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