The Coming of the Spirit

Introduction

At the end of chapter 1 the believers gathered in silence and prayer. Obediently, they awaited the promise of the Holy Spirit’s coming and the Lord’s command for them to do nothing until that event occurred. Apart from the business of selecting Matthias to replace Judas, the believers engaged in no ministry activity, at least none that Luke reports.

Today we are going to see the coming of the Holy Spirit that was promised.

John 16:7 CSB

7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.

The Holy Spirit is not just a New Testament idea. The Word for Spirit and wind in the old testament is ruach. In the OT the Holy spirit comes and goes but now it is the giving aspect of God. John the baptist prophesied the coming in Luke 3:16

Luke 3:16 CSB

16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Acts 2:1–13 CSB

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”

Tongues like Flames

Wind came and filled the whole house which reminds us of God’s presence filling the temple in the Old Testament. f you live in the south, the Midwest, or parts of Canada, you might imagine a tornado inside the house. East coast and Gulf state people might recognize the experience of a hurricane, but again, inside the house.

Tongues like flames. This also takes us back to the OT. Bring up the remembrance of fire in the Old Testament. Not of punishment but of empowerment and Calling (Moses). Like Cleansing or forgiveness of past sins (Isaiah 6), or of power (Elijah calling the fire down). Even of Jesus who was transfigured on the mountain and shown with brilliance.

And is that not appropriate as we think of the role of the Holy Spirit, God Living in You. The HS empowers, and calls, Guides, cleans through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Throughout Acts, Luke uses different verbs to describe the coming of the Spirit upon new believers. This first time was a unique event, never again repeated in exactly the same way.

As the Tongues of like flame tough them, the holy spirit touches their tongue

Holy Spirit on Their Tongues

This phenomenon of the Holy Spirit allowing the speaking of tongues. This is not the random syllables spoken. Its not even the ecstatic sounds Paul deals with in 1 Corinthians 14. This speaking of tongues is the rejoining that which was broken at the tower of Babel. One voice split, now multiple voices being united in one call. That is the Gospel. This was genuine languages that were being spoken, not previously learned. Some have suggested that the Feast of Pentecost might very well have attracted over two hundred thousand Jews from all over Palestine and the Mediterranean world. Nothing indicates that they heard the wind or saw the flames; but the sound of languages—perhaps dozens of them—captured their attention immediately.

This isn’t about proof of the Holy Spirit is on you. This isn’t even about you having a gift of tongues. This is about communication, not with God but with people. It is about spreading the Good News that Jesus is alive, what we call the gospel. Jesus Died for you on the cross and has raised to take away the punishment of your sin. So that you may have life to it’s fullest.

Holy Spirit wants to spread the gospel to others through you .

“The Holy Spirit longs to reveal to you the deeper things of God. He longs to love through you. He longs to work through you. Through the blessed Holy Spirit you may have: strength for every duty, wisdom for every problem, comfort in every sorrow, joy in His overflowing service.”

T. J. Bach

We don’t always need to speak a different language. We need to speak to each person. Reaching people where they are at. Not expecting the world to act like Christians but meet the world where it is at and bring it into the kingdom of God. Not bringing them to a building, but meeting them with the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ.

and when don’t know what to say. There seems to be an unwritten preaching code, sort of a first-century homiletical rule: “When in doubt, proclaim the resurrection, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.” Applies to us as well.

As we spread the truth we must do so in love not in bashing. Why are we surprised and hurt win the world acts like the world.

When in doubt proclaim the resurrection.

Next steps

Holy Spirit on your tongue the uniting of the gospel. Go and speak to them in the language they will understand.

Bibliography

Gangel, Kenneth O. Acts. Vol. 5. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Harris, W. Hall, III, Elliot Ritzema, Rick Brannan, Douglas Mangum, John Dunham, Jeffrey A. Reimer, and Micah Wierenga, eds. The Lexham English Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Ogilvie, Lloyd J., and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Acts. Vol. 28. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1983.

Got Questions Ministries. Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013.

Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004.

Severance, W. Murray, and Terry Eddinger. That’s Easy for You to Say: Your Quick Guide to Pronouncing Bible Names. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1997.