The disciples had been praying together and now they will receive power from on high to fulfil their mission for God. The Day of Pentecost was the Jewish harvest festival but the coming of the Holy Spirit was full of symbolism.

1. The spiritual harvest

There was the physical thanks for physical provision at harvest time but now the Holy Spirit would remind them of the spiritual harvest. He would dwell on the inside of every believer. The world has been in spiritual darkness for a long time and Jesus is the light to the world of the spiritual new life that is available to those who trust and believe in Him. The Holy Spirit is a sign and down payment (deposit) of more to come. See 2 Corinthians 1:22.

2. The fulfilment of the law by the Spirit

Jewish tradition also taught that Pentecost marked the day when the Law was given to Israel. The feast of Pentecost celebrated the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai but the Holy Spirit would give God’s people the power to fulfil his requirements in a new way. See Leviticus 23:15-22 gives us the original instructions for the celebration of Pentecost. It says that two loaves of leavened bread were to be waved before the Lord by the priest as part of the celebration. Why two loaves? Not only shall Israel be saved, but the multitude of the Gentiles shall be turned unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. The purifying flames

The flames reminded them of God’s purifying holiness which burns away sin and prepared them for their ministry. They burned on the inside and the flames of fire would be spread to the world.

4. The rushing wind

The wind symbolised God’s breath of life. The same word is used for wind and spirit. God had breathed new life into them and then blew them into the world as his witnesses.

5. Many Languages

This showed that God’s Word was for all nations. The good news of salvation was for not just for the Jews but for the whole world. The division of languages since Babel had caused division of people. The Church would change all that. God was calling all nations. The ascendancy of the common Greek language at that time would help to spread the Gospel to the known world.

6. Fulfilment of prophecies

Words that had been spoken in Psalms by David and the prophet Joel were fulfilled and showed that the church was building on what God had done before.

The disciples were never the same again and the world was changed. God rarely does things quietly or spectacularly. He never leaves us the us and we were before. He blows us into new avenues of service.

Categories: Acts