Acts 2

Read Acts 2

Verses chosen for meditation:

Acts 2: 1-3, 12, 33, 36-38, 42-47 ESV

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Reflect

What are your thoughts on Pentecost?

What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ?

What is a Spirit - filled community's trademark behaviour?

Relate

The chapter in Acts that we’ve just read is a popular reference for Pentecost, which means 'fiftieth' in Greek as it comes fifty days after the Passover. This coincides with the Feast of Weeks. It would explain the gathering of the people in the passage. More significantly these days, it commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and followers of Jesus who were celebrating the Feast of Weeks in Jerusalem on that day, which was not too long after the resurrection, fifty days to be exact.

By itself, the account in Acts 2 looks a bit otherworldly, but seeing it from Scripture's larger narrative makes it clearer what actually happened on that day of Pentecost. 

Luke's account here paves the way for a new understanding of what the temple is - the new church or body of Christ. Whenever and wherever there is a windstorm with an all consuming fire that doesn't consume, the presence of God is in that place. Just as he was in that gathering in the person of the Holy Spirit. 

The speaking in tongues here likely refers to the different identifiable languages that were spoken at the time rather than a 'heavenly' language. It signifies the world coming together as represented by the different languages spoken, out of the blue, by those present, a foreshadowing of the time when the body of Christ will be a powerful witness to the entire world under the same power of the Holy Spirit as on that day (Acts 1: 8).

The Holy Spirit is rightly seen as an empowering, regenerating and edifying force for the body of Christ. It seeks to foster unity within the body despite its diversity like its multitude of languages. Seeing what happened, it appears that when the Holy Spirit moves in a place, strange wonders happen. 

This phenomenon has been called the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism had a heartwarming experience to count as one. Caution needs to be exercised though as many are seeking such manifestations for their sensational impact whether in the realm of vision, dream or prophecy. Instead, go for the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23); be a Spirit empowered witness (Acts 1:8); seek the unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:3,4); pray with fervour in the Spirit (Eph 6:18); and let the Spirit - breathed Word inspire us (2 Tim 3:16). For such Spirit-led disciplines and attitudes edify the body and add real numbers to the body.

The Spirit- filled community depicted in Acts 2:42-47 is what the new order assembly should look like, which is the church. This is what every church today should aspire to. However, just comparing against this benchmark is not complete without due consideration given to the role played by the Holy Spirit. For a man-made community can never measure up to a Spirit - filled community. The difference is simply unexplainable by any stretch of logic.

In other words, when men and women, who are called disciples, are filled with the Holy Spirit and meet regularly, that assembly is called the church henceforth.

Rest

Lord, may your Spirit fill your church. May your Spirit move in our midst. May your Spirit revive, empower and inspire us. Yet, may we not yearn so much for the fire but the fruits of the Spirit.  And so be your living witness.

Naville Chia