HOLY SPIRIT HALLMARKS
Opening Prayer
Jehovah Jirah, my great provider, thank you for the countless blessings that are mine because you gave your Son, Jesus.
Read ACTS 2:1–13
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How have you experienced the Holy Spirit in your life so far? Dwell for a few moments on the most precious of these.A group of united disciples and a gathering of Jews for the harvest festival—this was the setting for the Holy Spirit’s outpouring. Luke reached for the legacy-rich symbols of wind and fire to picture for us the power, purity, and very presence of God, in the person of the Holy Spirit. Do you notice how the flame-like appearance separated to hover over the head of each disciple, and how the fire rested rather than ravaged (v. 3)? ‘Our God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29), yet so personal and gentle in pouring his gifts and presence upon us.
Moving from filled to overflowing in a moment, the family of Jesus-followers was supernaturally enabled to speak of the wonders of God. Each was given a different expression—how beautiful that the Holy Spirit meets and ministers through each of us uniquely! Beyond natural comprehension and ability, bewildering (even offensive) to the international crowd of onlookers, the promised Spirit was the power they had been waiting for. The presence of God poured out personally and for all, mighty and yet gentle, perplexing and yet praise-inspiring in equal part—this gift is the power in which we, too, are to continue.
Apply
How has the Holy Spirit enabled you to express the wonders of God?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence in my life; I ask that you give me your power to tell others about Jesus. Work through me so that many will be added to God’s kingdom.
Book and Author Intros
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