He is Here.
Edit sermon notes
Copy text
Good Morning!
Today we will continue venturing slowly into the book of Acts together!
Spirit at Work
Before we get into chapter two (which we will), I want to point out something in chapter 1 that we didn’t really talk about last week.
There is a thread we can trace, which sets us up for chapter 2.
That thread is a person, a character, who really is the main, central figure of the entire book.
Who is it?
The Holy Spirit. Or, as they would have known it in Hebrew, “Ruach Ha Kodesh.”
The personal, energizing presence of God himself, not in bodily form, but nonetheless fully interactive with the world. Indeed, this is the same spirit who was hovering over the face of the primordial abyss on the first day of creation.
This same spirit has been at work all throughout the story of the Bible, from creation to Acts.
That said, chapter 2 marks a significant shift, or progression, an intensification of the disciple’s own, personal relationship to the holy spirit, and the manner in which they are moved and empowered by ruach ha kodesh.
Spirit in Chapter 1
Chapter 1 sets us up for that shift, that transition. Look at the first two verses:
Acts 1:1–2 LSB
1 The first account, O Theophilus, I composed, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,
2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen,
Here, Luke is describing Jesus’s work and teachings as being led, or provided by the Holy Spirit, Jesus being the physical agent acting according to the direction of the spirit.
In fact, this relationship to the holy spirit is how the gospels describe Jesus’s entire adult ministry.
Luke 3:21–23 LSB
21 Now it happened that when all the people were being baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,
22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
23 When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli,
After Yohanan the immerser dunked Yeshua in the Jordan river, what happened next? What happened after Jesus was baptized? What did he do? Where did he go?
Luke 4:1–2 LSB
1 Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was being led around by the Spirit in the wilderness
2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had finished, He was hungry.
He passes the test, proving even within himself the validity of his spiritual experience. He stands up to the adversary, and prevails, which is only possibly through God’s power.
Now, listen how Luke describes what happens next, after Jesus prevails against the devil.
Luke 4:14–21 LSB
14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.
15 And He was teaching in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read.
17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the scroll and found the place where it was written,
18 “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
20 And He closed the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus is reading THIS passage immediately following those pivotal series of events, claiming himself to be a direct fulfilment of those promises he was reading.
From the very beginning, Jesus’s ministry, and indeed his very movements from one village or city to the next, are all through the express and personal direction of ruach hakodesh, including the very final orders he gives to his disciples, which is what?
To wait for the spirit themselves! Everything he had done thus far was setting a precedent for his followers.
Acts 1:5 LSB
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
In other words, just like Jesus was baptized by both water and spirit, so will the disciples be, and the implication is that they will be empowered SPECIFICALLY for the purposes of carrying out those unique and specific orders that they received.
Expectations?
I wonder if they had any expectations or ideas as to what being “baptized in the spirit” was going to look like for them.
If it’s anything like being “born of water,” as Jesus put it to Nicodemus, then being born of spirit may be rather terrifying. We are born into this world naked and screaming! We leave a world of perfect comfort and peace behind, for a world of overwhelming stimuli and challenges to overcome just to survive.
I really wouldn’t want to have to go through that again!
To get an idea of what, if any, expectations the disciples might have had, we can look at what Old Testament teachings on the holy spirit they would have certainly been familiar with.
The concept of the holy spirit, or the spirit of God, is woven throughout the Old Testament, pointing to its climactic moment in the New Testament during the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2.
It would be impossible to try to cover everything the Old Testament teaches about the spirit in one message, but I want to give you a quick overview of a few key passages which may help to illuminate, or provide some foundational understanding of who this spirit is, in relation to the other two persons of the Godhead, and of how this holy spirit interacts with the rest of the world.
Etymology
The word "ruach" means "breath" or "wind" in Hebrew (and Aramaic).
Ruach is often translated as “spirit” or “spirits” (212 times in the ESV) though sometimes it is translated as “wind,” “breath” and other similar concepts. The root רוח (rwch) means “to smell; to be relieved; wide, spacious” which relates the concept of “breath” specifically that which passes through the nose. That same root also refers to incense, burnt offerings, and aroma in general. (Genesis 8:21, 27:27, Exodus 29:18, Numbers 15:3-24, and many others).
“Holy” is commonly used simply to distinguish from any other spiritual being and refers to His “otherness” and purity. However, the Bible may also refer to Him as “God’s Spirit,” “The Spirit of God,” or simply “The Spirit.” Just like the word “god” may refer to any number of spiritual beings, but there is one God like no others. There are many spirits, but one Holy spirit.
It is important to note that not all appearances of ruach necessarily refer to the person of “THE Holy Spirit.” However, understanding the meaning of “spirit” is crucial, just as understanding the meaning of “lion” is crucial to understanding the meaning of “Lion King” even though not every reference to a lion is a reference to Lion King.
Aroma
Providentially, the concept of aroma can be a helpful analogy to the concept of The Holy Spirit. Aroma is intangible yet undeniable and, in fact at times inescapable! Anyone who has been sprayed by a skunk knows what it is like to be unable to “flee from the presence” of something! (Psalm 139:7-8) Aroma is powerful. It is invisible yet can dramatically alter the mood and emotion of any given situation, trigger vivid memories that were otherwise lying dormant, and is crucial to the full experience of tasting food.
Breath
Necessary to the experience of any aroma is the action of breathing, specifically by drawing air in through one’s nostrils. It is unsurprising, then, that “breath” is a core concept in ruach, and, like “aroma” is a helpful analogy. The same word translated in the ESV as “spirit” is translated 34 times as “breath.” In these cases, “breath” is generally used to refer to the life force of people and animals (i.e. “breath of life”). It is a logical association, as all creatures must breathe in order to live. Breath is the sustaining movement of an intangible, invisible presence, without which nothing on Earth could live. The same is true of The Holy Spirit. In this sense, the word “spirit” regarding any living beings can be well understood to mean something along the lines of “life force” or “the intangible but essential quality of life.”
Furthermore, we the created have none to thank but our Creator for the gift of this quality. Consider Genesis 2:7 (ESV): “Then Yahweh God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” It is only by God that we have life. (See also Job 12:10, 33:4, 34:14-15)
Wind
At times “breath” or “breeze” is not a forceful enough translation to fit the context, and it does not always refer to a “spirit” or “life force.” As such, ruach is translated 114 times in the ESV as “wind” or “winds.” Most often it is a wind proceeding from or sent by God, and often has devastating or otherwise dramatic effects. (Genesis 8:1, Exodus 10:13, 19, 14:21, 1 Kings 19:11, Psalm 48:7, Ezekiel 13:13, Jonah 1:4, to name a few)
One of my favorite passages containing ruach is in Exodus 15, where the people of Israel are praising God in song after he brought them safely through the Red Sea and delivered them from the pursuing Egyptian army. Verses 8 and 10 (ESV) read:
“At the blast [ruach] of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap…You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.”
Such colorful, poetic phrasing paints a vivid picture and incorporates multiple concepts in one image. Moreover, once again, we have a helpful analogy for understanding the nature of God’s Spirit. Wind is a powerful force. It can uproot trees, level buildings, toss around enormous waves of water, and carry storms across hundreds of miles. It can also propel a ship filled with people across the ocean or distribute pollen and seeds to propagate the earth. Anyone who has started a fire without lighter fluid knows how handy it is to have a forceful set of lungs to blow a week pile of sparks and kindling into a powerful, consuming flame.
Old Testament Holy Spirit
Understanding a little about His nature, what exactly does he do? He does a lot! From creation to wisdom, divination, craftsmanship, prophecy, visions, leadership, and guidance.
The Bible describes The Spirit at work from the very beginning.
Creation
(Fluttering)
Holy Spirit is present and involved in Creation (Genesis 1:2): The Spirit of God is introduced at the very beginning of the Bible, where it's mentioned as hovering over the waters, suggesting God's active presence in creation.
Genesis 1:1–2 LSB
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
It’s like the breath of god is hovering at a whisper, just before carrying the voice, the word of the creator which acts in accordance to his will to bring it forth into existence. Beginning with light itself, all of creation proceeds from the breath of God as he speaks his will.
Genesis provides a picture of God’s Spirit being the present, active force in the process of creation, ready to interact with the earth according to the Father’s will. Verses 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, and 26 all begin with “And/Then God Said” to open the explanation for the corresponding day of creation. This pattern itself invokes an implication of the ruach involvement, for, when one speaks, on what do the words ride? Speech is carried on the breath that proceeds from the mouth of the speaker. Consider also Job 26:13, Psalm 33:6, 104:30.
Job 26:13 LSB
13 “By His breath the heavens are made beautiful;
His hand has pierced the fleeing serpent.
Psalm 33:6 LSB
6 By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made,
And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
Psalm 104:30 LSB
30 You send forth Your Spirit, they are created;
And You renew the face of the ground.
God’s spirit is involved in an active, ongoing renewal and creation of life.
As we investigate further, we’ll see that this goes beyond large-scale creative works.
We also see cases of God’s Spirit selectively gifting or even overtaking various individuals throughout the Old Testament. Notable examples are Joshua (Num. 27:18), Othniel (Judg. 3:10), Gideon (6:34), Samson (13:25; 14:6), and Saul (1 Sam. 10:9, 10). In particular, prophecies and scripture itself are attributed to the intervention of God’s Spirit. (2 Samuel 23:2, Ezekiel 2:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Note the significance of the phrase “inspired” or “God-breathed” considering our understanding of ruach.
Here are a few quick examples:
Divination
Joseph's Wisdom in (Genesis 41:38): Pharaoh acknowledges the Spirit of God in Joseph due to his discernment and wisdom.
Genesis 41:38 LSB
38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?”
Craftsmanship
Bezalel's Skill (Exodus 31:1-5): The Spirit of God fills Bezalel, granting him wisdom, understanding, and skills to construct the Tabernacle.
Exodus 31:1–5 LSB
1 And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
3 “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in discernment, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
4 to devise artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze,
5 and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, in order for him to work in all kinds of craftsmanship.
Prophecy
1 Samuel 10:6, 10: The Spirit of Yahweh comes powerfully upon Saul, and he prophesies.2 Kings 2:9-15: Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit, which results in recognition of God's presence upon him when he parts the Jordan River.Ezekiel 1:28; 3:12-14: Ezekiel has a vision of God's glory, described with brightness, fire, and a rainbow. The Spirit then lifts him up, and he hears a loud rumbling sound.
Visions of God's Presence
Isaiah 6:1-4: Isaiah sees Yahweh in a vision where His robe fills the temple, and there are seraphim present. The doorposts shake at the voices of the seraphim, and the temple is filled with smoke.
Prophecy & Leadership
Numbers 11:25: God takes some of the Spirit that is on Moses and places it on the seventy elders, and they prophesy.
Notice here it was a fairly large scale, but isolated event.
Judges 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; etc.: Various judges are described as being filled or empowered by the Spirit of Yahweh to deliver Israel.
David's Anointing (1 Samuel 16:13): After Samuel anoints David, the Spirit of Yahweh comes powerfully upon him. David later pleads in Psalm 51:11 for God not to take His Holy Spirit away, indicating a personal relationship and dependency on the Spirit.
Prophetic Inspiration:
Ezekiel 2:2; 3:24: The Spirit comes into Ezekiel and sets him on his feet, commissioning him to speak to Israel.
Micah 3:8: Micah proclaims he is filled with power, with the Spirit of Yahweh, to declare the transgressions of Israel.
Zechariah 4:6: God's word to Zerubbabel declares, "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit."
The Promise of the Spirit:
Isaiah 44:3: God promises to pour out His Spirit on the descendants of Israel.
Joel 2:28-29: This is a pivotal prophecy, as God promises to pour out His Spirit on all people, where sons and daughters would prophesy, and the Spirit would be given to both the young and the old, slaves and free. This passage is directly quoted in Acts 2 during the Pentecost event.
Joel 2:28–29 LSB
28 “And it will be afterwards
That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy;
Your old men will dream dreams;
Your young men will see visions.
29 “Even on the male slaves and female slaves
I will in those days pour out My Spirit.
Acts 2
Moving to the New Testament, I doubt anyone really could have imagine what exactly was going to happen next, but at the same time this concept of the “holy spirit” and of the spirit’s power, would certainly not have been foreign to anyone familiar with the Old Testament, and the disciples have been “dabbling,” so to speak, through their time spent with Jesus, in what that looks like, even experiencing little tastes of it for themselves.
So yeah, I think to some extent they had to know what to expect, and to that end knew what to trust and believe WAS from Jesus, and WAS from Yahweh.
They recognized, as we’ll read, that here, the prophecy of Joel comes to fruition. The disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit, manifesting through tongues of fire and the ability to speak in different languages. This event is the birth of the Church and marks the beginning of the Spirit's active, indwelling presence in the followers of Christ. It signifies not just empowerment for service, as seen in the Old Testament, but also the start of the New Covenant, where God's presence would be with His people continually.
The narrative of "ruach hakodesh" in the Old Testament sets the stage for its New Testament fulfillment, showcasing God's continuous involvement and commitment to humanity through His Spirit.
Acts 2 LSB
1 And when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place.
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared to them tongues like fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language.
7 So they were astounded and marveling, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language in which we were born?
9 “Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the district of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.”
12 And they all continued in astonishment and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
13 But others, mocking, were saying, “They are full of new wine.”
14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.
15 “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day;
16 but this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,
‘THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;
AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,
AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,
AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;
18 EVEN ON MY MALE SLAVES AND FEMALE SLAVES,
I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR OUT MY SPIRIT
And they shall prophesy.
19 ‘AND I WILL PUT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE
AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW,
BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE.
20 ‘THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS
AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD,
BEFORE THE GREAT AND AWESOME DAY OF THE LORD COMES.
21 ‘AND IT WILL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God did through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—
23 this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of lawless men and put Him to death.
24 “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
25 “For David says of Him,
‘I SAW THE LORD CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME;
BECAUSE HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
26 ‘THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED;
MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE;
27 BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT FORSAKE MY SOUL TO HADES,
NOR GIVE YOUR HOLY ONE OVER TO SEE CORRUPTION.
28 ‘YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE;
YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.’
29 “Men, brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 “And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SET one OF THE FRUIT OF HIS BODY ON HIS THRONE,
31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER FORSAKEN TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SEE CORRUPTION.
32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says:
‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD,
“SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
35 UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES AS A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.”’
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel 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 pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men, brothers, what should we do?”
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40 And with many other words he solemnly bore witness and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this crooked generation!”
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were dividing them up with all, as anyone might have need.
46 And daily devoting themselves with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.
Wow! What an action-packed chapter!
Application
Pentecost
Remember, Jesus’s last supper with his disciples was a passover meal. Passover was a yearly event that would draw a crowd of faithful Jews to Jerusalem, which was perfect timing for them to be witness to his execution and resurrection.
Now, fifty days later is another big festival called “Pentecost.” “Pent” for “Fiftieth,” it’s the fiftieth day after the Sabbath of Passover. Again, this would bring an influx of visitors to the city from all over the world.
Since there were two big festivals in Jerusalem less than two months apart, it wouldn’t be unusual to have extra people staying in the city for that whole time. It’s kind of like that awkward time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, where that whole month just kind of feels like an extended holiday sometimes, all the way through to New Year.
In that sense, its “festival season” the way we might think of “holiday season” and you can imagine a wide variety of people around, some who were there when Jesus was arrested, while some might be newly arriving and hearing of all this commotion.
What better opportunity to get a message out!? What better soil in which to plant the seeds of the gospel…where it will be spread throughout the world as they disperse again from Jerusalem and return to their homes.
Actually, as we’ll see, they kind of didn’t go anywhere until they were forced to!
Relevance
Again, my main goal for today is to present this story in its broader context, but I also want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of this event for us even today.
What happened to the apostles was unique and specific to them and their situation, but also perfectly relevant to us.
The apostles had a unique calling that nobody else in history does. They were the starter pack of seeds from which sprung the whole forest, under the nurturing care of the Father, following the model of the Christ, sustained by the Holy Spirit. The exact details of what happened were as unique as the situation they were in, and that’s part of what makes the Spirit so exciting and difficult to study! Like the wind, he’s always on the move, equipping and adapting people for the lives into which he calls them. It’s amazing!
That said, again, this event was consistent with thousands of years of already established patterns of God’s presence.
The wind and fire, or the “sound like a wind” from heaven, describing it as “filling the house” where the disciples are sitting, and the flaming tongues, that separate and rest on the disciples, is all reminiscent of the description of what happens during the dedication of Solomon’s temple. A cloud filled the house of Yahweh, and the priests couldn’t even perform their service because of it.
The fire arriving in the form of these foreshadowing tongues which go and rest on the disciples as a powerful image of their calling as the first emissaries: the first heirs of Christ to the mission of proclaiming his message in every tongue; every language, so everyone can know God.
They are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in other languages as the Spirit enables them, because that’s what Jesus told them to do!
We can rest assured that whatever Jesus tells us to do, wherever God leads us, he will also provide for and equip us.
Comparison
What happened to the disciples in Acts 2 really is what happened to the whole church, which means it happened to us! It’s our origin story, and it tells us that God is here. With us. The Wait us over.
Physical Manifestations: In both testaments, the presence of God often comes with tangible, physical manifestations. The Old Testament frequently depicts this with a cloud or glory filling a particular space. In Acts 2, it's a violent wind and tongues of fire. Both scenarios leave little doubt that something supernatural is happening.
Limitation vs. Indwelling: In the Old Testament, God's presence often "visits" a particular place (like the Tabernacle or Temple) or individual (like Saul or the prophets). In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within the believers, a more permanent and intimate indwelling.
Accessibility: In the Old Testament, God's manifested presence often resulted in limited accessibility (like Moses being unable to enter the Tabernacle). In Acts, the manifestation democratizes God's presence, making it accessible to all believers, irrespective of age, gender, or status.
Purpose: In the Old Testament, the manifestations often confirmed God's presence, sanctified a particular place, or empowered an individual for a specific task. In Acts 2, while there's empowerment (for witnessing), there's also the broader purpose of establishing the New Covenant, where the Spirit is given to all believers as a helper and guide.
Peter's Explanation: Acts 2:16-21: Peter references Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-32), implying that the outpouring they're witnessing is the fulfillment of God's promise to pour out His Spirit.
In essence, while the manifestations of God's presence in both testaments share common elements (like physical signs), the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 holds unique significance, ushering in a new era of the Spirit's relationship with believers.
The Spirit of the New Testament is the same as that of the Old Testament. However, Christ brought a shift by making the indwelling of The Spirit available to all who follow Him, as opposed to those rare and select few, even among God’s people, in the Old Testament. (1 Samuel 3:1, John 3:34, Acts 2:38)
Even when not acting in dramatic and miraculous ways, The Spirit is described as the unifying and sanctifying power in the church, drawing people to God and providing a common experiential factor across all languages and cultures. Salvation in Christ is possible through The Spirit. God’s Spirit convicts, sustains, guides, and informs us. He is the seal of our inheritance, and the proof of the hope we have in God. (John 3:5, 4:24, 14:26 16:7-10, 3:1-8, 6:44, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 3:16, 12:13, Ephesians 1:13, 5:8, Romans 8:9, 8:16, 2 Corinthians 3:14, Galatians 5:22-23, Nehemiah 9:20, Acts 2:38, Hebrews 9:14, Matthew 10:20, Psalm 143:10)
As Christians in this age, we ought to cherish this gift of The Spirit, pray for His guidance, follow His leading, abide in His comfort, rely on His power, and dwell as a unified body in His presence.
He is here. and He is king.
We Will Run/He is Here (Gungor)
I’d like to read the lyrics to a song by Gungor. It’s more of a spoken word/poetic finale to a live album called Creation Liturgy, but the words really struck me with their beauty and relevance to this message. It’s something we can say and sing and pray and trust, ever since that day the disciples first received him on Pentecost.
Lyrics:
He is here, He's right here
In this room, in your heart
He is near
Nearer than breath, heartbeat
Nearer than you are to you
Closer than second chance or next opportunity
Closer than tonight or yesterday
He is real, more real than touch
See, hear, smell, or taste
More real than reality
He is our reality
More real than joy pain sorrow or the love of being in love
He is present like space, wind, time, silence, night
He is waiting
Like creation
Like words on the tip of tongue
Like songs that have yet to be sung
He is beauty in oranges, blues, every hue every shade
Sunset and sunrise whisper his name
He is holy
Cannot be touched, explained
Like sweet seconds of prayer
Like grandmother on knees
Wood floor bare
He is old hymns
The extending of limbs
Stretch across trees
Stripes to heal disease
He is son, distinctly three, distinctly three
The only one, the only wise
The only resurrecter of lives
He is king
And no earthly throne can house him
No amount of elegant words can espouse him
He is moment and voice
Power of choice
In word and deed
In fruit and seed
Nailed hands, nailed feet
Innocent wounds that bleed
He is believe
He is all
He is call
And purpose
Everything we can sacrifice, he's worth it and more
Much more
Our good deeds are mere pennies
We'll never even the score
He is behold and wow
He is who what when why how
He's the one who puts on the show
He's the one who we come to see
He is soul's cry and sinner's bleed
He is the epitome that no one can light a candle to
Or come within a 300 feet pole of
He is above
He is a father's love
Maker of ways
Of earth and wind
Ancient of days
Has no fear
Have no fear
Have no fear our God is here.