Acts 2:1-12
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tonguesa as the Spirit enabled them.
5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,b 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Jesus promised his friends that even though He was going away, He would not leave them. He told them to wait and pray until He sent them the Holy Spirit. In the reading above the Holy Spirit comes to them in the forms of wind and fire. Jesus wanted everyone to see and hear what He had to say that day.
Acts 2:36-41
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38Peter replied, “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. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
I remember when I had my confirmation, I hoped that the wind would blow, or a tongue of fire would come to rest above me that day at St. Joseph's Church. Well neither of those things happened.
Let's fast forward to 2013, WellSpring Church, Wednesday evening bible study. We were discussing the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and giving our concerns to God. That night as I gave my worries and fears to God, I spoke in a language I had never heard before. My prayer language was beginning to form. I won't say I spoke in tongues because nobody interpenetrated it. But I honestly know that the Holy Spirit was doing something new in my life.
Today in church questions came up about the Holy Spirit and the people in Sunday School class didn't know too much about it. We talked about fear, and crazy people rolling in the aisles. I felt sad that these friends didn't understand what a gift God has given us. But I will have hope that as we meet and discuss more issues, we will learn more about God our Father, Jesus, our Savior and the Holy Spirit, who lives in each of us when we proclaim that Jesus is our Lord.
Occasionally I will us my prayer language when I'm alone. I feel especially close to God when I do this. I feel a peace that "passes all understanding" knowing that God hears and understands my needs even when I'm not sure what I am saying. There is usually a deep deep longing to be close to Jesus at these times.
Father God, I thank You for hearing my prayers. I thank You for the opportunity to teach and to learn. Help all my friends at Christ United Methodist Church to hunger for You and to take time to get to know You through Your Word. We are never done learning. Your Word is alive and has something new for us each time we open it. Open our hearts to what You have to say through Your word and each other. Help me to help them. Thy will be done, In Jesus name. Amen.
Let's fast forward to 2013, WellSpring Church, Wednesday evening bible study. We were discussing the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and giving our concerns to God. That night as I gave my worries and fears to God, I spoke in a language I had never heard before. My prayer language was beginning to form. I won't say I spoke in tongues because nobody interpenetrated it. But I honestly know that the Holy Spirit was doing something new in my life.
Today in church questions came up about the Holy Spirit and the people in Sunday School class didn't know too much about it. We talked about fear, and crazy people rolling in the aisles. I felt sad that these friends didn't understand what a gift God has given us. But I will have hope that as we meet and discuss more issues, we will learn more about God our Father, Jesus, our Savior and the Holy Spirit, who lives in each of us when we proclaim that Jesus is our Lord.
Occasionally I will us my prayer language when I'm alone. I feel especially close to God when I do this. I feel a peace that "passes all understanding" knowing that God hears and understands my needs even when I'm not sure what I am saying. There is usually a deep deep longing to be close to Jesus at these times.
Father God, I thank You for hearing my prayers. I thank You for the opportunity to teach and to learn. Help all my friends at Christ United Methodist Church to hunger for You and to take time to get to know You through Your Word. We are never done learning. Your Word is alive and has something new for us each time we open it. Open our hearts to what You have to say through Your word and each other. Help me to help them. Thy will be done, In Jesus name. Amen.
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