The Promise Fulfilled

GETTING STARTED

Have you ever seen in a movie when someone’s whole life flashes before her eyes? Significant moments, people, and conversations all rush by in a blur, giving an intensity of feeling and escalation to the situation at hand. Filter that to the Day of Pentecost, A.D. 33. The mighty roar of the holy rushing wind arresting the attention of the gathered and waiting Christ followers. The prophecy of Joel, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people…” hanging thickly in the air. The words of the resurrected Jesus searing their consciences, “but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now,” even as the fiery tongues rested on them. This Pentecost not only fulfilled the promise of God, but it was like no other before it or since.

  • When has the Spirit of God caught your attention, be it bold and decisive or quiet and comforting?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 2:1-4 (ESV)

2:1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What came from heaven? Imagine the scene and describe it.
  2. What rested on each one of them? For what purpose?
  3. What resulted from this heavenly intrusion?
  4. Acts 1:8 calls Christ followers to take the gospel everywhere. How did what happened in verse 4 specifically equip these first-century disciples to live this out?
  5. Though the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, not all are empowered and directed by him. Are you relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to serve as God has called you? If not, confess your sins, yield your will to his, and ask God to empower and direct you with his Spirit.

RESPOND TO GOD

Both Pentecost and Passover were Jewish celebrations and remembrances unto the Lord. But this Passover and Pentecost were different than all the rest. For Christ became the Passover lamb, sacrificed once and for all to cleanse the sins of the people. Jesus’ death and resurrection set in motion new realities in redemptive history by enacting the New Covenant, where God’s laws would now be written on hearts and minds, not tablets of stone. The promised Holy Spirit sealed and empowered this deal. Although this dramatic coming of the Spirit in Acts was only for this specific moment in history, the Holy Spirit still comes and indwells every believer at the moment of salvation. The Spirit is the catalyst and the power source for the birth of the church and the spread of the gospel.

  • Marvel before the Lord and praise him for the gift of the Spirit who resides in every believer.
  • Thank him for the gift of power available to every believer through the Holy Spirit.