Session 2: The Holy Spirit Is Poured Out

Acts 2:1–4 ESV

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Introduction

What is Pentecost? What does it mean to be Pentecostal?

Many people are part of a Pentecostal church without fully understanding what it means or having a personal Pentecost in their own lives.

It is vital that each one have a full understanding of the doctrine of the baptism in the Holy Spirit as well as a continuing personal experiences.

Pentecost Fulfilled

“Pentecost” means “the fiftieth.”

The Old Testament Feast of Pentecost was celebrated fifty days after Passover.

Pentecost was also known as the Feast of Weeks because it falls seven weeks after Firstfuits, the offering of the first of the barley harvest to God.

Pentecost was a day of celebration and joy for the end of the barley harvest. It also included offering the firstfruits of the new wheat harvest.

The Feast of Pentecost was a harvest celebration;

The Day of Pentecost is related to spiritual harvest. God poured out His Spirit to enable believers to reap the harvest.

Luke 10:2 ESV

2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

Pentecost prepares harvesters for the field.

Signs of Spirit Baptism

Unique Signs of Pentecost

Rushing, mighty wind

Acts 2:2 ESV

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Tongues of Fire

Acts 2:3 ESV

3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

Normative Sign of Pentecost

The initial physical evidence: speaking in other tongues

Acts 2:4 ESV

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Do the signs of the sound of a violent wind and tongues of fire resting on individuals every happen again in the book of Acts?

What does this indicate about whether we should expect them today when believers are baptized?

Nether the sound of wind nor tongues of fire occur again in Acts. From this we can understand that these are not typical signs of being filled with the Spirit.

Speaking with other tongues is the only supernatural sign described in Acts 2:1-4 that happens again.

Purpose of Speaking in Tongues

Four purposes for speaking in tongues today:

Speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).

Speaking in tongues is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit for Christian worship (1 Cor 12:7-11).

Speaking in tongues is a regular means of personal prayer (1 Cor 14:13-19).

Speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers (1 Cor 14:21-25).

Benefits of regularly praying in the Spirit during personal prayer:

Build up yourself (1 Cor 14:4).

release your spirit to fully express itself to God (Romans 8:26-27).