Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “What Does This Mean?” – Tuesday, 3 June 2014 - Scripture: Acts 2:1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. 6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? 8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!” 12 They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.” (anothen) also means “again” and “from above”.“What Does This Mean?” by Bill Manning
Some have suggested that the “gift of languages” on the day of Pentecost was unnecessary because most of those who gathered in Jerusalem that day would have been conversant in either Greek or Aramaic. It seems to me that these folks are guilty of over-analyzing the situation. Luke tells us three times that each person heard the believers speaking in their own languages (Acts 2:6, 8, 11). This “miracle of hearing” made it possible for the gathered pilgrims to recognize that God was at work. They testified, “We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (v. 11).
What does Acts 2 mean for us?
- The coming of the Spirit at Pentecost tells us that God wants all believers to be filled with His Holy Spirit. The Spirit-filled life should be the norm for believers.
- We are reminded that the Holy Spirit is God’s enabler (v. 4). Whatever God requires of you, His Spirit in you will enable you to do.
- A Spirit-filled life will glorify God.
Hymn for Today:
“Fill Me Now” by Elwood H. Stokes1. Hover o’er me, Holy Spirit,
Bathe my trembling heart and brow;
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence,
Come, oh, come and fill me now.
Refrain:
Fill me now, fill me now,
Holy Spirit, fill me now;
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence,
Come, oh, come, and fill me now.
2 Thou canst fill me, gracious Spirit,
Though I cannot tell Thee how;
But I need Thee, greatly need Thee,
Come, oh, come and fill me now.
Refrain:
Fill me now, fill me now,
Holy Spirit, fill me now;
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence,
Come, oh, come, and fill me now.
3. I am weakness, full of weakness,
At Thy sacred feet I bow;
Blest, divine, eternal Spirit,
Fill with pow’r, and fill me now.
Refrain:
Fill me now, fill me now,
Holy Spirit, fill me now;
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence,
Come, oh, come, and fill me now.
4. Cleanse and comfort, wholly save me,
Bathe, oh, bathe my heart and brow;
Thou dost sanctify and seal me,
Thou art sweetly filling now.
Refrain:
Fill me now, fill me now,
Holy Spirit, fill me now;
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence,
Come, oh, come, and fill me now.
Thought for Today:
“I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)
Prayer Needs:
Many People in Burundi will come to know Jesus the Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
-------
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States
Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment