Acts 2:1-21—The Spirit gives power to witness in foreign
languages. On Pentecost the disciples
receive the Holy Spirit and Peter explains the happening. Luke gives an account
of the Spirit’s coming upon the gathered disciples in Jerusalem on Pentecost
accompanied by a mighty wind and tongues of fire. Then the reaction of the
crowd is given – the disciples are accused of being drunk. Peter responds by explaining the experience as
fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy that at the end of the era the Spirit would come
to all. The overall purpose of the event is salvation for all who call upon
God. The Spirit gave the disciples power to speak in the languages of the
people assembled in Jerusalem, that all peoples might hear the Gospel. The
prophecy of Acts 1:8 is beginning to be fulfilled.
The Holy Spirit comes as a communal experience. The
Apostles were assembled in Jerusalem. They were together in their desire for
the Spirit. They were together in prayer and in faith in Christ s lord.
Together they were hoping for the Spirit. The Spirit is a gathering force and
he comes when believers are in unanimity.
The Spirit gave the disciples the ability to witness,
to peak in various languages that all might hear the Gospel. The Spirit and the
Word are inseparable. The Sprit comes in the Word when it is read, preached or
administered as a sacrament. Consequently, the Spirit give believers the power
to speak, to preach and to witness.[2]
A Prayer for the coming of the Spirit: Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever[3].-20 May 2021—
[1] Pentecost Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
[2] Lectionary preaching workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Collect for the coming of the Spirit, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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