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While many Christians debate the purpose of the Holy Spirit and to
what degree signs, miracles, and wonders are relevant to today's church,
there is usually little debate as to the Holy Spirit coming on Pentecost
and showing His presence.
As Jesus provided in Acts 1:1-8 (NIV):
(1) In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began
to do and to teach
(2) until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions
through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
(3) After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many
convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period
of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
(4) On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this
command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father
promised, which you have heard me speak about.
(5) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized
with the Holy Spirit."
(6) So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at
this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
(7) He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates
the Father has set by his own authority.
(8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and
you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
And then following in chapter 2 of Acts (NIV):
(1) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
(2) Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven
and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
(3) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came
to rest on each of them.
(4) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak
in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
According to the next verses, God-fearing Jews gathered to see these
indivduals who were now speaking in the native language of these Jews
who were from many different places. Some said that these individuals
speaking in other tongues were drunk from wine.
But Peter set out to instruct the crowd of what was prophesied by Joel
in Acts 2 (NIV):
(16) No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
(17) " 'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
(18) Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
(19) I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
(20) The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
(21) And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.' |
So now what?
Paul refers to the gifts
of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is alive and doing well.
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