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 speak 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. 1
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. 2
No comments:
Post a Comment