Acts 2:1-13 The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Finally, the day of Pentecost arrived and with it the promised Holy Spirit. The arrival of the Spirit is characterized by supernatural phenomena. First, there was a sound like a mighty rushing wind that filled the house where they were. Second, there were tongues of fire that appeared and rested on each one. My imagination sees it as if the people were human wicks with a flame on top of their heads. Thirdly, they spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. The arrival of the Spirit was announced with auditory, visual, and verbal signs. It was impossible to miss it if you were there. The blind and the deaf would know something was going on.

Even language was no barrier to understand because their languages were being spoken. Many different ones according to their country of origin. The content of the message spoken was the mighty works of God. So many people understood that God was up to something, but unfortunately, some attributed the phenomena to drunkenness - "filled with wine." Supernatural manifestations by themselves don't guarantee that people will understand God's message. The spiritual blindness is such in some people that the most spectacular of signs would be misinterpreted and misunderstood.

The arrival of the Spirit begins a new era in Church History. The body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, would now begin to march forward to conquer the world by proclaiming the mighty works of God. The Spirit of God brought people from many nations together overcoming even language differences. Many scholars see a parallel between the coming of the Spirit and the Tower of Babel. In the former, languages are given so people may understand and unite. In the latter, languages were given so people wouldn't understand and scatter. The Tower was being built as a human feat challenging God's glory. The Spirit has come to bring unity to build the kingdom of God for the glory of God.

I can't understand how many believe that supernatural phenomena has ceased when the giving of the Spirit, the inauguration of the Church under the new covenant, is mingled with so many supernatural events. There is no indication anywhere in the book of Acts of a slowing down of the Spirit's manifestations. Quite the contrary, the book takes us on a journey in the supernatural manifestations of the Spirit as the Gospel is preached.

Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit who empowers me to preach the Gospel and guides me through this world. Fill me today to live for you. Amen.