The Day of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13

The event recorded in this passage is very important because it marks the beginning of the church. Pentecost means fifty and this feast gets its name because it follows the Feast of Firstfruits by 50 days (Lev. 23:15-22). In a dramatic scene those that were there heard a noise like a tornado and saw tongues of fire resting on each one of them. They were actually able to see themselves being filled with the Holy Spirit as promised in 1:8 and as evidence of this filling they spoke in other languages so that everyone could understand each other (v. 8). The tongues of fire represent the presence of God. Everyone was amazed but not everyone understood what was happening. Some even began to mock the others saying that they were drunk.

The subject of speaking in tongues, introduced here, is one that has caused confusion among Christians today and should be studied carefully. First we must realize that this event represented the filling of the Holy Spirit and not the baptism of the Spirit. The Spirit’s baptism occurs once for each believer at the moment of Salvation (Acts 11:15-16, Romans 6:3, I Cor. 12:13). The filling of the Spirit occurs not only at the moment of Salvation, but also at other times during our lives.

There is a difference in responsibility concerning the baptism of the Spirit and the filling of the Spirit. The baptism of the Spirit occurs to all at the moment of salvation. The responsibility to be filled with the Spirit is ours. Paul, in Ephesians 5:15 explains that we should “be careful how you walk” and then in v. 18 exhorts us to “be filled with the Spirit”. He also challenges us in I Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit”. We must assume from these passages that we can hinder the Spirit’s work in our lives and we do that by sinning against God. When we quench the Spirit we are not filled with the Spirit. When we confess our sin and are in right relationship with God we are filled with the Spirit.

It is very important that we realize the Spirit’s ministry in our lives and allow Him to minister effectively to us. We do that by living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God.