The Filling
Acts 2:3-4 reads, 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Chapter 1 was all preparation for this event. Praying believers—40 days of teaching, a commission to be worldwide witnesses, the promise of the Holy Spirit for power. Many refer to this event as the birth of the church. Jesus’ sermon at Nazareth defined His ministry; Peter’s sermon at Pentecost defined the church’s ministry. First, the setting of the Spirit’s coming, v. 1—“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Pentecost was the Festival of Weeks, 49 days after Passover. A lot of travelers were still in Jerusalem. Second, the event of Spirit’s coming, v. 2—“Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” Third, the result of the Spirit’s coming, v. 4—They were filled with the Spirit (baptism) and began to speak with other tongues. This baptism filling is experienced by every new believer. It is a different thing than the filling of the Spirit, anointing for a task or testimony of faith. What was the point of this sign? Verse 12 says, “So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘Whatever could this mean?’” The listeners were ready to hear Peter’s explanation. If a person receives the message, it is because God first prepares him or her. Pray for those who need to hear the gospel and trust God to get the heart ready.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.