Today you should read: Acts 2:1-13
Today we look at an exciting passage in the book of Acts that is of great importance. The day of Pentecost has historically been celebrated in the church on the 7th Sunday after Easter, celebrating the Holy Spirit coming upon believers in a fresh and unique way. Jesus promised that after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit would be present with them. We this see in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given selectively and temporarily; but following the ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells all true believers. We see this in our passage today!
Believers Receive the Holy Spirit (1-4)
If you have not had a time where a rushing wind and tongues of fire descended on you, there’s no need to worry! Scholars believe that this new outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the reason for this unique experience. For believer today, the Holy Spirit indwells you when you repent of your sin and believe in Jesus for the first time. There are times where believers are more “filled” with the Holy Spirit than others, but if you have a true relationship with Jesus you have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of you.
The Holy Spirit Unites Believers (5-13)
According to Acts 2, speaking in tongues in this context refers to believers being able to understand one another, even when they speak different natural languages. This points us to the fact that the Holy Spirit is the one commonality between all true believers in Christ. In the past, when I have been in places like El Salvador, worshipping with 6,000+ people who I have never met, sitting in a service I can’t understand, there is still a feeling of commonality that is hard to explain. As I watch them pray and respond to God’s Word, there is something that seems to connect us. The Holy Spirit unites believers when they would otherwise not be united.
This passage is one of the greatest passages in Acts because receiving the Holy Spirit is one of the greatest graces that God has shown His people. The Holy Spirit leads us, fills us, convicts us, protects us, and more. When is the last time that you thanked God for the Holy Spirit?
By: Graham Withers — Pastoral Ministry Apprentice
JumpstartCPC.com 
Good word today Graham!
13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
I know this sounds strange but this verse really grabbed my attention this morning. Have you ever heard a drunk person intelligently speak a foreign language in a manner that could be understood by those who speak the language? The skeptic’s comments about them being drunk were absurd. We have skeptics today who make absurd comments when we see things that can only be explained by the mighty hand of God. My prayer today is for the Holy Spirit to convict the hearts of non believers and bring them to Jesus. Our country, and world, desperately need revival in 2019.
Amen to Mike’s comment!
With reference to the Holy Spirit encouraging our communication with other believers, even if we don’t speak the same language…
I was in a lyft (rideshare) several months ago in another state and, when I got in, the driver was clearly finishing up with her prayer group as her phone was on “speaker” and someone was praying… in Spanish.
I don’t speak Spanish. There are some words like “Madre” and “Dios” that I can pick out, but for the most part, nope. However, as first the woman on the phone and then my driver (with her eyes OPEN :)) prayed, I was enveloped by the Holy Spirit and felt so deeply encouraged and such a wonderful feeling of community — even as I type this I feel it.
After their “Amen,” I echoed it and we chatted about our faith and our prayer requests until she dropped me off. What a gift!
God wants us to love others so much, he will help us to feel connection through any barrier. May we all allow the Holy Spirit to bring connection to us this year!
I understand that we receive the Holy Spirit when we are saved. If we receive the Holy Spirit, what do you mean when you say we are more filled? If we already have the Holy Spirit, how do we have more of it? Not trying to antagonize, I honestly want to know if I’m misunderstanding something. Thanks Graham!
It could be that sometimes we are more receptive to the movement of the Spirit. I don’t know if that is something we as believers enable or if it is enabled by the Father, or both. But I believe it is for His specific purpose, which might include a moment when we need more than ever to feel His presence to be encouraged or to accomplish something.
K