FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

PROCLAMATION

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind … and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with The Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as The Spirit gave them utterance. … Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.”  Acts 2:2-6 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the acts of the apostles of Jesus, The Christ, as written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, The Christ, when the day of Pentecost came, all of His disciples were all in one place and on one accord. (Acts 1:9-14 and 2:1)  There was a sound like a blowing violent wind, and they saw what appeared to be tongues of fire which came and sat upon each one of them.  Each of the 120 men and women in the upper room (Acts 1:13-15) was filled with The Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues, languages other than their own, (Acts 2:4) and each person in the crowd that gathered heard them speak in their own language. (Acts 2:6)  The crowd included people from the surrounding areas who spoke different dialects and languages. (Acts 2:8-11)  Then the apostle Peter stood up and spoke to the crowd. (Acts 2:14-40)  After Peter’s sermon, three thousand people joined the church and were baptized that day. (Acts 2:41)  The people devoted themselves to the apostles’ doctrine, and the fellowshipped and prayed with them.  They met daily either in the temple courts, or in each other’s homes. (Acts 2:42-47)  The Lord God added new members to the church daily as He determined should be saved. (Acts 2:47)

 

APPLICATION

Believers are filled with The Holy Spirit of God the moment we believe. (Romans 8:9)  Today, however, there seems to have been a misunderstanding of “speaking in tongues.”  Speaking in tongues means speaking in a foreign language or dialect, usually an ancient one, without having learned or been taught the language.  It is done for the benefit of someone who speaks and understands that language or dialect to help the church grow.  When one is given the gift of speaking in tongues, it is for the edification of the church, and there should always be someone else present who has been given the gift of the interpretation of tongues so that the church is edified. (1 Corinthians 12:28-30 and 14:4-5)  Speaking in tongues is not necessary in order to speak to God, for He speaks and understands all languages.  Prayers can be in any language or utterance.   Our spoken words, in whatever tongue or language, should be helpful to someone. (Colossians 4:6)