When Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostles were left behind. They obeyed Jesus’ instruction to remain in Jerusalem until He sent to them what His Father had promised (Luke 24:49). In fact, Jesus had also promised to send the Advocate, or Counselor, to them in John 16:7. In addition to the apostles, Mary the mother of Jesus, other women, and Jesus’ brothers, approximately 120 disciples of Jesus regularly met for prayer. They were waiting for the promise to be fulfilled, and it was, on the Day of Pentecost.
When that Day of Pentecost came, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (vv. 2–4).
Although the disciples of Jesus believed Him for the promise of the Holy Spirit, I dare to suggest that what occurred was not what they expected. “Suddenly” (v. 2) suggests it was startling. “A sound like the blowing of a violent wind” (v. 2) indicates it was loud and frightening. “Saw what seemed to be tongues of fire” (v. 3) implies it was mesmerizing. The entire experience captivated them.
There was also an individualized aspect of the miracle. The tongues of fire came to “rest on each of them” (v. 3). They were each “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 4). They each spoke in different languages that they previously had not known. The Holy Spirit did not just come into the world in a general sense. He also came into the world to fill and empower each believer.
Go Deeper
As a believer in Jesus Christ, do you believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in you? In what ways does the Spirit empower you? Watch this interview as our author Dr. Eric Moore talks about the day of Pentecost.
Pray with Us
Lord, thank You for sending Your Spirit to dwell within us. Please make us sensitive to listen when He is prompting us, and give us courage to obey even when it seems hard.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.Acts 2:1
