October 4, 2010

Pentecost
Acts 2:1-4 (MSG)

“When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. 3 Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, 4 and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them." Acts 2:1-4 (MSG)

Pastor’s Blog

Some people get supernaturally “rocked” by God. Others never seem to experience anything. So, are the others “unspiritual”?

Actually in checking out Luke 1:41, 67: 3:21,22: 4:1, and Acts 4:31, 7:55 and 13:9 along with today’s scripture (why not look them all up as your Bible reading for today!) one discovers that speaking in foreign languages, or in “tongues” or “tongues of fire” or a “mighty wind” were not the repeatable signs of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Instead there are 4 things all these references to the presence of the Holy Spirit have in common.

1. The “fullness of the Spirit” appears to episodic not continuous. This means that although the Holy Spirit is always within and present, the experience of His “fullness” is not continuous.

2. This experience of his fullness (unique to each of us according to how we are wired) is repeatable. It may be experienced frequently or infrequently.

3. This “fullness” always consists of the assurance of God’s love for us and His presences with us and also an ability to make known to others the reality of God, a desire to “witness”, to tell others about God.

4. This “fullness” is often connected to prevailing prayer and also persecution or temptation seems to be encountered as well (how else could it be when thepowers of God come in direct contact with the powers which oppose God).

What have you learned today? How does what you learned lead you to new behaviors?

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