TEXT:

‘When the Day of Pentecost had fully come’ – Acts 2:1

THOUGHT:

In Acts chapter 2 NKJV, the word “Then” is used five times, each one emphasising a new event or reaction to what was happening. These form the basis for Today’s Teaching. As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday on June 9^th may each “Then” become a daily reality!

• Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them v3

This was the experience Jesus had told them to wait for, the infilling of the Holy Spirit and a baptism of power. As tongues of fire came upon each of them, I am sure many were reminded of what John the Baptist had prophesied about Jesus, ‘He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire’ – Luke 3:16. What they had been waiting for had now come. Jesus’ promise had now been fulfilled, that once He ascended He would send another Comforter, the Holy Spirit,.

Pentecost Sunday, sadly is a dead tradition for so many Christians and churches. It has become simply a reminder of the past rather than a present renewal. ‘Do not be drunk with wine …. but be (being) filled with the Spirit’ – Ephesians 5:18. The clear inference is a filling and re-filling throughout our Christian life.

Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit? If so, are you being refilled day by day?

• Then they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, “Look!” v7

The doors of the Upper Room, locked for fear of persecution, burst open and 120 rejoicing believers spilled out into the streets proclaiming the wonderful works of God, speaking languages they had never learned. It was miraculous!

The startled crowds reacted with amazement, confusion and mockery. The accusation that they had been drinking was swiftly dealt with by Peter. It was far too early in the day, he asserted. Why God chose to do it this way, we will never really understand, but it worked. Jubilant praise was replaced by hard-hitting and heart-searching preaching that “Cut to the bone”. Such was the intensity and conviction, people started crying out, ‘What shall we do?’ v37.

• Then Peter said to them, “Repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” v38

To get right with God and become a Christian is not difficult to do. In fact it is so easy that people think there must be a catch somewhere. In response to the anxious cries of “What shall we do?” Peter instructs them to repent, be baptized in water and then receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. So simple to do yet so demanding, for many of those responding in such a way would later experience severe persecution because of their new-found faith.

• Then those who gladly received his word were baptized and that day about 3000 souls were added to them v41

Four key words spring to mind from this verse.

Attitude – ‘Gladly’

They were glad to be told the truth; glad there was a way to be forgiven; glad they could now be sure of going to heaven. Miserable Christians are not a good witness for Jesus.

Acceptance – ‘Received’

In Saltash many have had the opportunity to be saved but few wanted to receive. ‘As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God’ – John 1:12.

Action – ‘Were baptized’

They publicly nailed their colours to the mast. They were ready to be ostracised by family and friends and ready to stand up to tell the world that Jesus was their personal Saviour.

Added – ‘3000 souls’

The church grew from 120 to 3120 in one day! Phenomenal growth but the church has not stopped growing since that day. Within a few weeks the Bible records the disciples were multiplying until there were multitudes of believers, men and women – Acts 5:14, 6:7.

• Then fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles v43

Godly fear: to live the right kind of Christian life; to please God in their decision-making. That made people think twice about becoming a Christian for they now knew what was expected of them. Little wonder that God was able to confirm the preached Word with signs and wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. What a time to be living, seeing the church with power changing the lives of individuals and also the life of the city!

What if by the time you read this Pentecost Sunday is past? Does that mean you cannot receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit for another whole year? Thank God, No! Peter declared to the crowds, ‘The promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’ v39. The day you are willing to do the repenting is the day you will be able to do the receiving.

Remember the words of Jesus, ‘How much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!’ – Luke 11:13.