Acts 2
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accordin one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were all together in one place – of one accord and one heart. They were diligent to obey Jesus. Study these men to see how people are who receive God’s blessing and Spirit. Those who are negligent to obey Jesus will miss out on many blessings.
God knows what our state is and whether we are of one heart and soul.
The Holy Spirit descended on them like the rushing of a wind, although it was a calm day. This strange event drew the people. The people also saw tongues like of fire which sat on each of them. When the people from different nations and nationalities were gathered together, the Holy Spirit gave the disciples the gift of tongues, to tell them in their own languages God’s wonderful works.
1 Corinthians 14
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
A certain man from Tugela Ferry told me how powerful God was working there. When we got there, the man greeted me normally but his wife greeted us in tongues. I was reminded of the verse above – in tongues we speak to God and not to man; but she spoke to us. This woman had a child and got a heathen girl from the area to look after her child. While we were there, this woman continued to speak in tongues, and then the heathen girl said, “don’t you understand her, she’s asking you to close the door.” This was very strange. The husband also told us how his wife would go to the hospital and speak in tongues to the patients.
A little bit later we spoke to this woman and asked her what the matter was. Then she acknowledged that when she received the gift of tongues, she heard someone else speaking in tongues too, and she envied that person’s tongues. She prayed that her own gift be removed and that she could speak in tongues like the other person. Her prayer was answered but with the consequence that she spoke in tongues to whomever she met, in stead of to God as the Bible teaches. We must not be envious of another’s gifts.
God gives us different gifts, wisdom, discernment and faith. It’s good that one can discern.
When the Holy Spirit works and give gifts, He does as He wills. It is evil to desire His gifts with impure motives; then you will spoil God’s work. You must have a clean and pure heart.
The prophet Joel said that God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh – there is no difference between male and female, young or old, husband or wife, masters and servants. Each believer can receive God’s Spirit.
At Pentecost there were also mockers, who said that the disciples were full of new wine. It is heart-breaking that while some met with God others mocked and scoffed. These men spoke different, foreign languages, which they’ve never learnt, perfectly; yet the mockers said that they were drunk. Such reasoning is madness.
Those who mock at God’s work have lost their senses.
May God fill His people with His Spirit so that the Gospel will fill the earth. Unless we are filled with the Holy Spirit the Gospel won’t fill the earth.
Part with everything that quenches God’s Spirit. When you become ill physically, you quickly visit a doctor so that you might get well again. It is even much more important spiritually that you go to men of God, when you’re ill, that you can be prayed for and be healed.
Be a person who are filled with God’s Spirit, obeys His Word and rejoices to keep His Word.