The Day of Pentecost
Scripture Readings: Acts 2:1-8, 14-21
Acts 2 begins by emphasizing the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 1:4-5. On the Day of Pentecost, God sent the Holy Spirit upon 120 believers in Jerusalem.
In today’s text, they were gathered and heard a sound like the blowing of a violent wind. It was not actual wind, but it sounded like one, signalling the presence of something powerful and divine. They then saw what seemed to be tongues of fire. The fire started as one and then separated and rested on each of them. Wind and fire are both elements commonly associated with the presence of God throughout Scripture.
They experienced the use of different languages on the Day of Pentecost through the coming of the Holy Spirit. Many scholars believe the tongues of Pentecost were genuine languages. These tongues represented languages not previously learned. Verses 5-12 emphasize that people of different languages understood the message in their own language. The Holy Spirit descended upon the believers and enabled them to speak in different languages. When people filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaim the gospel, a supernatural ministry takes place. When the hearers respond, a miracle of understanding also follows, showcasing the power of the Holy Spirit at work.
The coming of the Holy Spirit did more than enable speaking in other languages; it fostered unity among the believers and facilitated genuine communication. They experienced genuine communication and miraculous understanding through the Holy Spirit’s work. The Holy Spirit breaks through the barriers of communication.
Acts 2 demonstrates that regardless of gender, age, or social status, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all who believed. Peter, quoting the prophet Joel, proclaimed that in the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all people. In accordance with the words from Joel, the Holy Spirit is for everyone who is united by the Spirit in the praise of God through prophecy, visions, and dreams. Humans can be united in their diversities of age, gender, and social status by the great outpouring of the Spirit.
The prophecy had been renewed in fulfillment after four hundred years. God was at work among His people through the coming of the Lord and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The resurrection and Pentecost had proven that. Verse 21 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” For Peter the “Lord” in the book of Joel is Jesus Christ. He was proclaiming the gospel of salvation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost is often called the birthday of the church. On this day, after Jesus’ ascension, the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples and devout Jews from every nation gathered in Jerusalem. As the Spirit gave them ability, they could speak and understand other languages, which allowed them to experience unity in Christ through communication. This is seen as the fulfillment of Jesus’ command and promise that disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.
They spoke in other languages and heard in their own native language. Using the words of Joel 2:28–32, Peter proclaimed that in the last days God will pour out the Spirit of God upon all flesh” so that sons and daughters, young and old, and “even” servants, “both men and women” shall see visions and prophesy; and “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The Christian church begins to take shape when the Holy Spirit fills those who believe in Jesus as the Messiah, enabling them to proclaim the gospel and witness to the Christ “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The church emerges by the Holy Spirit, who establishes a fellowship of faith, calling believers to be witnesses to what God has done in Jesus Christ. God empowers His church for ministry through the coming of the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the community of faith will experience a renewed sense of fellowship.
Jesus’ disciples, once filled with the Holy Spirit, found new courage and boldness. Peter, who had previously denied Jesus, now stood up and proclaimed God’s word with conviction. The Holy Spirit not only empowers believers for prayer and worship but also equips us to communicate the Gospel effectively. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit renews hearts, restores faith, and ignites a passion for God’s kingdom, empowering us to live holy lives and fulfill God’s purposes.
In Acts 2:21, we are reminded of the promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit, let us boldly proclaim this message, inviting others into the transformative experience of God’s love and grace. May we, like the early church, be witnesses of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness to the world the wonders of our God.
The book of Acts testifies to the fullness of the Holy Spirit as an ongoing gift rather than a onetime event, and the church is constantly changing in response to the Spirit’s leading. Pentecost challenges churches to live into the promise that Christ is present and alive in the midst of change.
Christ calls individuals into community as the church. The church is the place where new fellowship begins to take shape as it recognizes the gifts of the Spirit in and for all people. When the Holy Spirit enables us to watch and participate in God’s work in this world with a wide-open vision, may we live in eager anticipation of the Spirit’s work in our lives as we join with all others to accomplish the Spirit’s purposes.
As we reflect on Pentecost, may we seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit and pray for revival in our lives and in our faith community, pursuing unity with fellow believers. The Holy Spirit calls us to live out a Spirit-driven life characterized by faith, obedience, and boldness. The presence of the Holy Spirit guides individuals and churches to live as faithful servants of God in the world and faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ. May we live holy lives, bear fruit, and fulfill God’s will.
God’s desire for redemption, new creation, and salvation are continues regardless of any barriers we create. There are so many barriers to genuine communication in the world, but the Holy Spirit breaks through the barriers. May we listen to God’s words whenever God is speaking to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that we will be filled with the creative, regenerative, and transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Every believer has the Holy Spirit within them, and healthy churches pay careful attention to worship, teaching, fellowship, prayer, and testimony. May we rely on God’s Spirit for the strength as we serve the Lord and others.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)