Number 13 in a devotional series using as a resource the book, Journey Into Joy, by Andrew Walker.
Scripture; Acts 2:1-11
What key questions and unusual observations did you note as you read the passage?
When you think about the narratives that we have studied leading up to this study, which event seems more like the climactic event to which the narratives are pointing, the ascension or Pentecost?
What is the significance of Pentecost?
Who was present in the room at Pentecost?
Why do some versions of the text not emphasize “with one accord” as the King James does?
What is the significance of the three signs that occurred at Pentecost–wind, fire and languages?
Should we expect the same signs that happened at the first Pentecost every time someone is filled with the Spirit?
What are their implications for understanding the passage?
When you think about the narratives that we have studied leading up to this study, which event seems more like the climactic event to which the narratives are pointing, the ascension or Pentecost?
Jesus mentioned his return to the Father, but he pointed past that to the fact that he would send a Counselor to be with them (Jn. 14:12,16; 16:5-15). Two of the Gospels do not even mention the ascension. The emphasis seems to be on Pentecost, not on the ascension. After all, the immediate future of God’s kingdom on earth belonged to the Holy Spirit.
What is the significance of Pentecost?
“The festival so named is first spoken of in Ex 23:16 as “the feast of harvest,” and again in Ex 34:22 as “the day of the firstfruits” (Nu 28:26). From the sixteenth of the month of Nisan (the second day of the Passover), seven complete weeks, i.e., forty-nine days, were to be reckoned, and this feast was held on the fiftieth day” (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc.)
Christians have always found a tie between the concept of firstfruits in the Old Testament festival called Pentecost and the events of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was the beginning of the Christian church, the firstfruits so to speak, and that day 3000 people were added to the church (Acts 2:41).
Who was present in the room at Pentecost?
While the 11 disciples certainly take the lead at Pentecost (v. 14), there were undoubtedly more people there than just the 11. One textual support for this idea is that there are more than 11 language groups listed in verses 9 to 11. A second probable evidence is that the OT Scripture to which Peter refers (Joel 2:28-32) specifically mentions men and women, an odd choice if there were not also some women present. None are mentioned in Acts 2 but Mary, Jesus’ mother, is named and other ladies referred to in Acts 1:14. These were included in the 120 mentioned in Acts 1:15 and this group is the most natural referent for the phrase, “all together” in Acts 2:1.
Why do some versions not emphasize “with one accord” as the King James does?
The answer to this question is to be found by studying the Greek text behind the translations. The King James version is based upon what is called, “The received text” which was the best Greek text available to the translators in 1611. However, modern translations such as the NIV, ESV, and NASB all use Greek texts that have been updated by scholarship advances of the last 400 years. The differences are extremely small– a word here and there. However this is one place where the word has been updated in newer texts resulting in the newer translation, “they were all together.”
What is the significance of the three signs that occurred at Pentecost–wind, fire and languages?
Wind It is extremely significant that the words for wind, breath, and spirit are the same word in both Greek and Hebrew. The Hebrew word is “ruach” in the Greek word is “Pneuma.” This connection creates a tremendous chain of meaning for the symbol of wind at Pentecost. In the very beginning in Genesis, God breathed into Adam and Eve and they become living souls. In the prophecy of Ezekiel 37, God asked Ezekiel speak to the Breath. The meaning was that the Spirit of God would revive Israel. The prophecy looks beyond the renewal of the nation Israel to what the Spirit of God would later do in us. The event of Pentecost in Acts 2 is part of the fulfillment of that prophecy. When the disciples were gathered together on the first Easter night, Jesus came and stood among them. John records that Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The concept of wind and breath ties all these passages together.
Fire Fire in the Old Testament has a cleansing significance (Nu 31:23; Pr. 17:3; Isa. 4:4, 6:5,6, Jer. 6:29, Mal. 3:2)
Pr 17:3 “The crucible is for refining silver and the smelter for gold, but the one who purifies hearts by fire is the Lord. (from GOD’S WORD Copyright © 1995 by God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society. All rights reserved.)
John the Baptist had predicted that the one who came after him would “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Mt 3:11-12 NIV). Fire in this instance speaks of judgment, particularly the separation of good from evil.
Later when Peter was comparing what happened at the household of Cornelius to what had happened at Pentecost, he summarized by saying, “he purified their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:8). One is left to assume that this is also a description of what had happened at Pentecost when the flames of fire alighted on the heads of each one.
Languages A special sign that God chose to use at Pentecost and many times afterwards in the book of Acts was the miraculous speaking in languages they did not know. This sign was not recorded as being used every time the Holy Spirit was given but most of the times. What was its meaning? Interpreters throughout Christian history have always seen it as a reversal of what happened at the tower of Babel. There God intentionally divided humanity. In sending the Holy Spirit, God was providing the key means for unifying humanity again, breaking the barriers that divided them before, and providing the means for a wholesome unity. Jesus prayed for this unity in John 17. Paul described it, “There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph. 4:4-6 NIV).
Should we expect the same signs that happened at the first Pentecost every time someone is filled with the Spirit?
The fact that not all the signs that happened at Pentecost happened every time someone was filled with the Spirit in the book of Acts helps us to understand that we do not need to have a checklist of signs. In addition, Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 that God gives different gifts according to his purposes and that we should not expect gifts to be identical but various. But at the same time, the record of the book of Acts and the teaching of Jesus and Paul should lead us to be suspicious if there are no signs that a person has received the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit’s presence was like the wind, you know when it is present even though you can’t touch it. Paul taught that each Christian has at least one gift.
What is the role/significance of this event/passage in the Gospel story?
This event is the climactic event toward which Jesus pointed in the Gospels and it is at the same time the launching point for the book of Acts. It is a point that marks the change of spiritual eras. In the gospel records Jesus had been here on earth in his physical presence. From now on, his presence would be evident with his people through the Holy Spirit. Before this, the Holy Spirit had coached people and occasionally spoken through the prophets and to the prophets, but now the Holy Spirit would dwell in his people, transform them, and as it were, ooze out of them through their very personality, words, and actions. The kingdom of God would now move forward as a multitude of people under the influence of the Spirit of Christ became the arms, the feet, the mouths of Christ working to change the world, to fulfill Jesus’ mission (Luke 4:18,19).
According to Acts 1:8, this event marks the empowering of the church. It is the Holy Spirit’s indwelling of Christians that empowers them to do God’s work. The difference in the disciples before and after Pentecost shows the difference that the Holy Spirit’s presence makes in their lives and in our lives. Before Pentecost they were not bold. After Pentecost they were fearless and they spoke with supernatural wisdom.
This event also marks the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:33. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Is the Holy Spirit’s presence that informs our conscience and teaches us what God’s will is. Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would “take from what is mine and make it known to you” (Jn 16:15 NIV).