The Coming of the Holy Spirit

May 23, 2021

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:1-4

Forty days after Jesus was resurrected from the dead, he ascended back to the Father. Prior to his ascension, Jesus instructed his disciples to remain in Jerusalem and to wait on the coming of the Holy Spirit. True to these instructions, the disciples remained together praying and waiting on this promised Holy Spirit. Just ten days after Jesus’ ascension, the word of the Lord was fulfilled.

Luke describes the event vividly – mighty rushing wind that filled the house, tongues of fire, and men and women fluently speaking in other languages. As far as we can tell, there was no forewarning that this day would be the day, and there was no sense of what the disciples were to expect once the Spirit came upon them. All they knew is that there would be a new sense of the presence and power of Jesus. We can only imagine what they were thinking and feeling on this amazing day of Pentecost.

Just imagine being in that room, being part of this group of people. Throughout the Old Testament, wind often signified the power of the Lord while fire signified the presence of the Lord. In this room on the day of Pentecost, wind was the power of God that rushed over his people, surrounded them, and filled them with the presence of his Spirit. Tongues of fire brought the power of the Lord as well as the cleansing and sanctifying work of God in in his people. These men and women were set apart, set apart to build the church and to live as the disciples of Jesus Christ.

Pentecost set forth a new day for the people of God. A transition was occurring from the Old Covenant of the Mosaic law to the New Covenant of the Spirit. The church was to be built upon the person and work of Jesus Christ who had come as the perfect fulfillment of the law. Through him, all people could now enter the presence of the Father; all people were invited into the fellowship of the church; and all people who proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What a glorious day it was for God’s people then and now!

Reflect & Respond:

Are you living in this power of the Holy Spirit? You, too, are a set-apart child of God. You, too, have full access to his power and presence. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resources:

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a "gift" who will guide us, lead us, and empower us. Yet many believers don't experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This unique Christian Bible study provides a space in which we can explore what it truly means to "walk in the Spirit" on a daily basis. The Spirit-Filled Life small-group curriculum centers on a 6-part video teaching series examining the life-giving and creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Begin to experience the gift today!