The Holy Spirit Expands and Unifies God’s People
May 24, 2021
The Holy Spirit Expands and Unifies God’s People
“Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.’ And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’” – Acts 2:5-12
Prior to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the nation of Israel celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. In fact, there were three major feasts observed by the Jewish nation: The Feast of Passover, the Feast of Booths, and the Feast of Weeks (called Pentecost). The Feast of Weeks was celebrated fifty days after the Passover. Seven weeks and one day after the Passover and God’s deliverance, the nation of Israel came to Mt. Horeb. It was at Mt. Horeb that Moses went up to receive the Ten Commandments from the Lord. The Old Covenant began fifty days after the Exodus from the nation of Israel, the great liberation of God’s people. How significant it is that the New Covenant was ushered in fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an even greater liberation for those who would believe in him.
Where the Old Covenant was based upon adherence to the law of the Lord, the New Covenant was based upon the perfect obedience of God’s Son. Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law, took the sins of the world upon himself, and satisfied the wrath of God against that sin. With the coming of the Holy Spirit, God’s people not only had the forgiveness of sin but the power of God living within them. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they could now obey God’s law; it was not just written on stones but on their very hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
With the Holy Spirit, there was also a broadening of the kingdom of God. Every tribe and every nation were invited into this great salvation. Even greater, every person who proclaimed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior was given the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the building of the church, there was a unity through that Spirit. Language barriers were broken as the Spirit spoke through these men and women in other languages: “Each one was hearing them speak in his own language” (v. 6).
All these people were hearing about the mighty works of God through his Son. Where many people had missed the miracle of the incarnation of the Son, they were now invited to see the miracle of the Holy Spirit. Oh, the wonder of God’s grace that does not give up on us! He gave us the Mosaic law; the Father sent his very own Son; and now he has given us the Holy Spirit. The triune God loves his people and has made the way for them to live in fellowship with himself and with each other.
Do we live in the wonder of that grace today? And how does that grace of God get manifested through us so that we can live in this unity through the Son? There is one way to the Father and that is through the Son. Those who know the Son are entrusted with the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel message and to bring reconciliation to God’s people. May we work in and through the Holy Spirit to share this amazing grace!
Reflect & Respond:
Consider how God may be calling you to be reconciled to one of his children today then go and do that work through the power entrusted to you in his Spirit. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Related Resources:
The Resurrected Life: Making All Things New - The Bible promises that those who are in Christ are "new creatures." But how does that transformation take place? This unique Easter-season Bible study provides a space in which we can discover what it truly means to live a new life. As we listen, we'll learn how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything - for us. Begin the journey to new life today!
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