Power of the Holy Spirit

"Acts 1:23-2:21

Sounds of the Holy Spirit

This is for you and me. The experience of the day of Pentecost is not just an historic event; it can become a present reality for you (Acts 2:29). As Joel prophesised: ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all’ – men and women, old and young, rich and poor (2:17–21). It definitely includes you and me!

Seek the experience

The experience of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost involved three things.

First, it involved power from God. They heard a gale. This was not an actual gale. It was ‘a sound like the blowing of a violent wind’ (2:2). It sounds as if it may have resembled a heavy tropical rainstorm. This is the mighty invisible power of God. It was the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual reality.

The Hebrew word ‘Ruach’ literally means ‘breath’ or ‘wind’. Ruach is used in the Old Testament for the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God. The day of Pentecost was the fulfilment of when Jesus had breathed on the disciples and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ (John 20:22).

Supremely, the experience of the Holy Spirit is an experience of God’s love for us (Romans 5:5). It is the way in which we feel God’s love for us. As Rick Warren says that ‘to feel loved by God … is the starting point for every ministry, every revival, every renewal, every great awakening’.

The Holy Spirit is the one who provides the power for all revivals, and he does it supremely by enabling the people of God to feel, experience and know in their hearts the love of God. It is the kind of knowledge that travels from your head to your heart.

Second, it involved fire from God. They saw fire. Again, this was not an actual fire: ‘There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which were settled on each one of them’ (Acts 2:3, AMP). This was an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual reality. Fire represents the power, purity and passion of God.

Wherever there is an experience of the Holy Spirit, he brings a new fire and passion to our lives.

Third, it involved languages from God. ‘All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them’ (v.4). These were languages they had not learnt. The languages were recognised, and the whole known world was represented (vv.5–11). This was a reversal of the chaos and disunity of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9).

The experience of the Holy Spirit brings unity to the church. As we recognise that the same Holy Spirit is at work in Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants and Pentecostals of whatever church or denomination, there is a healing of division and a visible experience of unity.

On the Day of Pentecost there were three reactions (all of which we see today to the ministry of the Holy Spirit). The first reaction was amazement. Some were ‘utterly amazed’ (Acts 2:7). The second reaction was perplexity. ‘Perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” ’ (v.12). The third reaction was ridicule. ‘Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine” ’ (v.13).

Study the explanation

Peter explained what was happening (v.14f).

First, he countered a false explanation (v.15). Some were offering a natural explanation for something supernatural. It may have looked as if they were drunk because they were so exuberant and had lost their inhibitions. However, this was not intoxication with wine but the sober intoxication of the Spirit (to use the title of a book by Father Raniero Cantalamessa).

Then, he offered the true explanation (v.16f). Peter began his speech by pointing out that this is biblical (we will see the rest of the explanation tomorrow). Some people draw a false dichotomy between the word and the Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is himself the author of the word of God. The Old Testament – that is, the word of God – points towards this outpouring of the Holy Spirit (vv.16–20). Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, goes back to the Bible. The Holy Spirit brings a hunger for the word of God.

Lord, we pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church as on the day of Pentecost. Lord, we need the mighty invisible power of God in our lives and in the church. May the fire of God descend upon us again with power, passion and purity. May the gift of tongues be spread more widely. May there be mutual understanding and unity in the church."

1. Thank You for having the Holy Spirit live within me who enables the power for all revivals!

2. Thank You for showing me Your really amazing grace to let people come to you. I praise You, Lord.

3. Praise God for a simple and fun dining by the streets.