On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1-2
Right before Jesus left earth and returned to heaven, He gave His followers specific instructions: “Do not leave Jerusalem (where they were at the time) until the Father sends you the gift He promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5). During His ministry, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come and help Christ-followers and live life alongside them when He left. Having the Holy Spirit, He explained, would be even better than Him being on earth.
One chapter after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, we read about the Holy Spirit coming and indwelling believers. “All the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:1-2). Next, flames that looked like “tongues of fire…settled on each of them” (verse 3). When this happened, all believers present began speaking different languages so that people observing this scene heard them speaking their own languages (verses 4-6). It was incredible.
The coming of the Holy Spirit marked a turning point for the church. When the Holy Spirit came, the church had the power that Jesus promised in Acts 1:8. Specifically, it had the Holy Spirit’s power fighting for it, strengthening it and each one of its members. Because of this power, the church endured incredible persecution and remained strong.
The church today has this same power. If you are a follower of Christ, you are part of the church. You have this same power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever trials and hardships you face, you will endure, not because of you, but because of the Holy Spirit in you who is walking with you through everything. Praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit!
The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the boldness to live in a way that honors and obeys Christ. Is there something that you know God has called you to do that you have been nervous, or even scared, to do? Maybe you have felt prompted to share your faith with a coworker and invite them to church. Maybe you have felt the nudge of the Spirit to stop doing something that you know is a sin that you have had a hard time saying “no” to. Maybe you have felt the nudge to practice generosity despite tight finances. Whatever the case, take a bold step in your faith today, asking the Holy Spirit to help you take this step of obedience boldly.
Acts 2:1-6 (NLT)
"On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers."
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