On
the day of Pentecost the twelve apostles were sitting and praying together
in the Temple. (Acts 2:1)Pentecost
On
the day of Pentecost the twelve apostles were sitting and praying together
in the Temple. (Acts 2:1)
The apostles began to breathe in deeply. Jesus had taught them to breathe deeply to receive the holy spirit. (John 20:22) The sound of their breathing filled the whole Temple. (Acts 2:2)
The apostles saw divided tongues that looked like fire! This was more than God had promised. This was a phenomenon. (Acts 2:3)
The tongues "sat" on each of them. When the Bible uses the word "sat," it means that something is finished or complete. God had just given the apostles His gift of the holy spirit. God's work was done. Jesus called God's gift "power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
All of the twelve apostles were filled with the gift of holy spirit. They were so full they were "overflowing." The apostles began to speak in tongues. God gave them the words to speak. (Acts 2:4)
The apostles now had holy spirit in them. Spirit cannot be seen. The proof that they had holy spirit was that they could speak in tongues. The apostles did the speaking but God gave them the words to say from the holy spirit that was in them. This was the first time in history that men could have God's gift of holy spirit born in them. They were filled with the power of God.
Many people heard the apostles speak in tongues. People were staying in the city of Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. They had come from many nations. When they heard the apostles speak in tongues they were very surprised. They were surprised because the men were speaking in languages that the people understood. They were speaking the languages of the people who were visiting Jerusalem! This was a miracle! The apostles did not know the languages they were speaking. They did not understand the words they were speaking. The people who were listening did understand. That was the miracle of Pentecost. (Acts 2:5-11)
Peter stood up and spoke to the people. He told them God's Word. He told them about Jesus Christ. He taught them that God had raised Jesus from the dead. (Acts 2:32) He taught them to confess that Jesus Christ was their Lord and to believe that God raised him from the dead. (Acts 2:36) He taught them that they would also receive God's gift of holy spirit. (Acts 2:38-39) He taught them that they would also be able to speak in tongues. That day about three thousand people were born again. This was the birthday of the church. (Acts 2:41)
Just like the people on Pentecost we can receive God's wonderful gift. If we confess that Jesus is our Lord and if we believe that God raised him from the dead we also receive God's gift of holy spirit. We have the power of God too. We can speak in tongues. We can speak God's Word just like Peter did on that day.
Color a picture of Pentecost -
Cortright
Fellowship Homepage