The Setting and Significance of the Holy Spirit’s Outpouring

Acts 2 v 1-21

  1. The Setting
    a. The Day
    Feast of weeks (Ex. 34:22)
    Pentecost means 50 – observed 50 days after Passover (Lev. 23:13-16).
    Observed on the Sunday – like we are doing.
    b. The Place
    They were all assembled with one accord in a house and in unity.
    c. The people
    Acts 1:26 points to the Apostles being together – Galileans.
    They took the Lord upon His word who said ‘wait for Me’.
    We must also do what He tells us.
    d. The Power
    They received the power to speak in unknown languages that they haven’t learnt. The most significant was that they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The greater power we need is what removes sin within us, the division among Christians, to reform and revise the Church. The power to love God with our whole heart, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.
    e. The Perplexity
    The bystanders could see there was something peculiar about the Apostles. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit then people will see that there is something different about us.
  1. The Significance:
    a. Prophesied by John the Baptist.
    The fire burns away the chaff – notably our sinful habits.
    b. Promised by Jesus (Acts 1:4-5)
    Are we ready to receive this promise as well, that it will be fulfilled in our time?
    c. Preached by Peter (Acts 2:14-21)
    Prophesied by Joel, saying that God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, eyes will be opened and they shall prophesy (proclaim the Word). What Peter said in His sermon proves that Jesus Christ is risen, He is exalted at the right hand of God and reigns as Lord and Christ.
    d. Proclaimed by Paul (Titus 3:5-7)
    The Spirit was poured out abundantly through Jesus Christ, saving people through the washing and regeneration of the Spirit with the effect of receiving justification by grace (1 Cor 6:11), baptized into one body (1 Cor 12:13), which is the Church, made to drink of the same Spirit (John 7:37).
    God will empower us to become witnesses in such a way that it will make the world perplexed.

Have you repented of your sin and are you baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?