Fast forward to the New Testament, and you will find the disciples of Jesus gathered in a room after the time Jesus returned to heaven after His resurrection. They were there because Jesus had instructed them to stay in Jerusalem until such time they received a special gift from the Heavenly Father. This gift was a baptism with the Holy Spirit.
So, there they were, waiting in a house. Suddenly there was the sound which came from heaven, like the blowing of a violent wind. They then saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. This enabled them to speak in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them.
The sound attracted quite a crowd. Because of the festival being celebrated, God-fearing Jews from every nation were in town. Amazingly, they witnessed the disciples, who were all Galileans, speaking to them in their native language. According to Acts 2:9-11, the languages represented at the time were that of the Parthians, Medes and Elamites, as well as those from Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, Romans, Cretans and Arabs. I'd have to get out a Bible Map to sort out all those places, but they all apparently heard the disciples declaring the wonders of God in their native tongue.
The account indicates the people were amazed and perplexed, and some even made fun of the disciples, assuming they were drunk with wine. It was then Peter took center stage, raising his voice to address the crowd. He explained they were not drunk, since it was only 9 o'clock in the morning. He then quoted a passage from the Old Testament book of Joel. Joel had foretold a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all people, and this was what had happened.
Peter then went on to tell them a full account of Jesus life, death, resurrection, and explained Jesus had been exalted to the right hand of God, where He received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, which He in turn poured out on His disciples. As the people listened, Acts 2:37 says they were "cut to the heart" and asked Peter and the apostles what they should do.
The first thing Peter told them to do was repent. This meant feeling deep regret or remorse over sinful things they had done. Repentance in this sense is the change that takes place in a life as a result of the Holy Spirit's work to open up their consciousness to what sin is in the presence of a Holy God. It is a summons to a personal, absolute, and ultimate unconditional surrender to God as Sovereign, leaving behind the life of sin. Some look at it as a 180 degree turn away from a life of sin, and toward God.
Secondly, the people were told to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of their sin. Finally, Peter told them they would then receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise would reach even us, according to the words of Acts 2:39:
The promise is for you and your children,
and for all who are far off--
for all whom the Lord our God will call.
Peter's final challenge to this group was, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." It was then about 3,000 accepted his message and were baptized. As I read those words today, in light of the riots and looting going on in various parts of this country, I couldn't help but think we are once again in a very corrupt generation in need of a Pentecost change. The question remains, if we were to rewrite this account today, which role would you play?
Would you be among the disciples, waiting to receive new boldness through the Holy Spirit's power? Or would you be among those observing, wondering what was happening with these people who suddenly became so "on fire" for God? Either way, my prayer is you will have an encounter with God in a fresh way during this Pentecost of 2020. Our country needs it. Our world needs it.
As I have been often walking in the wind this spring, the words of a chorus echo through my brain:
Holy Spirit, flow through me
Holy Spirit, flow through me
And make my life what it ought to be
Holy Spirit, flow through me
Holy Spirit, rest on me
Holy Spirit, rest on me
And use me Lord to win the lost to Thee
Holy Spirit, rest on me
Holy Spirit flow out from me
Holy Spirit, flow out from me
That others may see You in me
Holy Spirit, flow out from me
This is the prayer of my heart, as we near the midnight hour, when Pentecost, 2020 will be upon us. May the power of the Holy Spirit find a place to land in your life!
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