The Spirit Is Poured Out
Opening Prayer
Lord, I did not make myself nor can I forgive myself, so I reach out to You, my Creator and Redeemer.
Read Acts 2:1–21
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 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, 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.”
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Those who do not understand the great works of God make fun of what they see and hear. It was done when Christ died on the Cross (Luke 23:35,36), it is done here at the coming of the Spirit (13) and it is still done today.
Think Further
Every few decades, major floods pour into the dry river systems of Australia’s parched inland, bringing the desert to life with a vibrant array of flora and fauna. The contrast between brown desert landscapes and lush, flooded plains reminds me of the contrast the gathered disciple community experienced when God poured his Holy Spirit upon them. Frightened followers came alive. Audible, visible signs accompanied their infilling and immediately they began to speak of the wonders of God. Then, enabled by the Spirit, they communicated to Jews gathered from across the empire for Pentecost.
These mostly uneducated, backwater Galileans boldly proclaimed their Savior-Lord’s death and resurrection, only fifty days after he was crucified nearby. Why did God choose that day? Why those signs? Work was forbidden at Pentecost. Thousands of God-fearing visitors to Jerusalem had time to look, listen and reflect on such astounding happenings. Most knew of Jesus’ crucifixion and rumors of resurrection. They were already intrigued before they heard the good news of God’s wonders being expressed in their own native languages. Here was holiday news with a difference! Amazingly, God was communicating to them in their mother tongues so they understood perfectly. Not all of them wanted to hear, however. Some dismissed the phenomena as intoxicated behavior.
Peter grasped the opportunity to explain that this was what the prophet Joel had announced. God’s Spirit when poured out would cause men and women of all ages and social standing to speak his word. All who called on his name would be saved. When God’s Spirit is poured into others’ lives at conversion, are we open to answer the question, “What does this mean?”
Apply
How could you use the intriguing differences God has brought into your life to tell others the good news?
Closing prayer
Loving Lord God, for all my false starts and broken promises, I love You best of all. Release afresh Your Holy Spirit within me.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.