When our son Jeremy was born at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge, MN, the nurse turned to me, because I was in the room, and said, “Congratulations Dan you have a son!” In this chapter of Acts someone could have said to Father God, “Congratulations Father you have a church!”. In this chapter the Church is born!
Verse 1 > Pentecost was a celebration. Taking place in the early spring, fifty days after Passover, it celebrated the completion of the winter harvest.
Pentecost was a commemoration. As outlined in Leviticus 23, the Jews were to bring two loaves of bread as an offering representing the two stone tablets on which the Law was written.
Pentecost was an illustration. Three thousand people died the day the law was given (Exodus 32:28). But on the day the Spirit was given, three thousand were saved (Acts 2:41). Thus, the two loaves commemorating the tablets of stone came to illustrate Jew and Gentile coming together in one new organization called the church. Unlike most other sacrifices, these loaves had leaven in them, a picture of the sin that would exist in a church made up of sinners saved by grace.
Verses 4-12 > God is so cool. How do you tell a city full of people who all speak different languages about the good news that Jesus saves? You just baptize your disciples in the Holy Spirit who knows all languages even the language of heaven, and you have your disciples speak in their language! Nothing is too difficult for God. Today when we ask to be baptized in the Holy Spirit he comes on us to empower us to be bold witnesses immediately to those around us and he give us a heavenly language so we can praise more wonderfully(I run out of words in English) pray more precisely and effectively(I don’t always know what to pray) and build ourselves up in our faith(I need to be energized a lot). Wow how cool is that!
Romans 8:26 (NIV) — 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Jude 20 (NIV) — 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
1 Corinthians 14:4 (NLT) — 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
Tongues at first may sound like baby talk but hey we are talking about being ‘born again’ right:)
Verses 25-36 > Because of what is written in these verses we also can rejoice like King David in verses 25-28 >
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
26 No wonder my heart is glad,
and my tongue shouts his praises!
My body rests in hope.
27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
28 You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
With the inclusion of the Holy Spirit the disciples received power to convert others to Jesus. He gave them scriptures to present and youngest to communicate.