Acts 2 -- After The Noise

Fifty days after Jesus had risen from the dead, the disciples and others were all together.  My commentary suggested they may have even been at the Temple.  Everyone, including people nearby on the streets, heard a noise that sounded like a strong windstorm, only no one felt the wind.  Those in the room saw not an actual flame, but something that resembled one standing over each person in the room.  For the first time, the Holy Spirit didn’t just dwell in one person at a time for a limited time, but instead He came to reside in each person there, as He now does in the lives of every new Christian.  The Holy Spirit enabled them to be understood by people who were hearing the words in their own native languages!  Many were truly amazed by this, as they should have been, since none of the disciples had every studied foreign languages.  What they were hearing were praises to God, not just idle conversations.  They heard what great things God had done!

 

Peter stood up and explained to those marveling that, yes, Jesus had died, but that God had raised Him from the dead, and He had also been taken up to Heaven.  Now, instead of one Man telling about God and His plans for us, the Holy Spirit would be available for all Christians to help them hear and understand.

 

Three thousand people came to saving faith in Christ that day, and their lifestyles were changed.  They wanted to know more about God (something the Holy Spirit was accomplishing), and they had concern for each other’s needs more than their own.  This became the makings of the first church.

 

Father, remind us in the church today of how different we have become compared to how these first church members reacted to You.  Help us to see their desire to be involved every day and not just once a week in what You are doing.  Lead us to better understand and do Your will here on earth!

 

 

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford