If the Book of Acts is a pivotal Book in the New Testament, then Acts Chapter 2 must be regarded as a pivotal passage. It is a vital link, or key, which can open many doors. Without a clear understanding of Pentecost - what actually happened, and what the consequences were - much of the rest of the New Testament might remain a mystery.
It was the significant events of the Day of Pentecost that birthed the Church of Jesus Christ, and empowered the disciples, resulting in meaningful fruitful evangelism. We need to know the facts, and have our faith based upon the facts, and not feelings or fables. We have been reading of these disciples of Jesus who had so much, but hadn't enough. They are all waiting patiently in obedience to Jesus, and studying the Scriptures. They believe that Jesus is risen from the dead and very much alive, witnessing Him ascending back to His Father. They are faithful, prayerful, united, eager and keen to do the Will of God.
Seven weeks after Jesus had been raised from the dead, 120 disciples of Jesus are in The Temple in Jerusalem. As it was Shavuot, the Jewish Harvest Festival, thousands would be present. The disciples are waiting for something to happen, but they do not know exactly what, and they have no idea as to when.
We read of a sound, like the blowing of a violent wind, which fills the whole house, the entire house of God, where they are sitting. What seems to be like tongues of fire comes and rests on the head of each disciple. ALL are FILLED with the Holy Spirit, and they begin to praise God in languages they have never learned. This has nothing to do with the brain, or the mind, or the cleverness of man.
These disciples are a mixed bunch - tax collectors, political hotheads, fishermen, wives, mothers, widows - who had been rescued from sin, but they belong to Jesus Christ. They were called by Jesus, chosen by Jesus, and now they are all anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Jerusalem was packed with worshippers from all over. The nations are listed, and other worshippers hear the disciples of Jesus Christ praising God in this fresh and refreshing way. They were so filled with God that they overflowed at the mouth. That is where we overflow, when we are in love, or when we are angry. Notice that there is not a word about 'feelings'. There is no 'emotionalism' flowing from these 120 disciples. The onlookers, however, reacted very differently. God had come close, but too close for some. Those observing became amazed and perplexed. They began to mock and make fun of Jesus' disciples even accusing them of being drunk with wine. There will always be someone who will try to explain it all away!
The reaction of the crowd reveals quite an array of feelings, excitement and emotion, but among the disciples no-one has moved. When Jesus baptises you in the Holy Spirit, you are not going to do something foolish or outlandish. Being laughed at and ridiculed is seldom easy to bear, but Peter arose, with the other leaders standing alongside supportively, in the midst of ridicule, and Peter answers, explaining what has happened.
Jesus had spoken about the wind blowing, and on this day in the Temple they certainly heard the sound, and others heard other sounds. Even unbelievers know something is happening. We cannot tell where the wind comes from or where it will lead us.
Whoever would have birthed and launched the Church this way, but GOD? You can never tell where the wind of God might lead you. The wind carried Nicodemus into the Pontius Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. The wind carried these 120 to the farthest corners of the world, and the wind continues to do that, giving men strength and courage, in the face of the fiercest foes.
How many brilliant medical careers have been ruined, because the wind of God blew and took a disciple of Jesus to some tribe in Africa for a mere financial pittance? How many neighbours have survived some horrendous situation because you called and cared or prayed? You might never know - but the wind blew.
The wind of God is still blowing. Not only understand the crucial significance of the Day of Pentecost, but experience it personally.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.