Acts Devotional Week 2

April 22, 2012

Acts 2:1-4

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

The believers were united.  They were together.  The Holy Spirit was with them.  I don’t think any of these believers expected mysterious fire and wind to show up for worship that day.  I doubt they knew what to do once they began to speak in other languages.  This event didn’t figure into the plans of the day.  They simply gathered to worship and God showed up.  We never know what will happen when we gather to worship.  When God shows up the unexpected happens.  When God shows up people are given gift and abilities they did not have previously.  When God shows up the church becomes dynamic, active, and alive. 

So why languages?  If God giving out abilities and gifts why would he choose this particular one?  First consider the mission of these believers.  They were to go to all the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  One of the major obstacles to doing this was the language barrier.  With this gift the believers were able to speak clearly to the hearts and minds of all people.  Second, think about Babel.  When people sought to make a name for themselves (apart from God) they decided to build a tower.  God’s response was to confuse their language.  So people split apart according to their language.  Sin brought division to humanity.  The gift of languages erased that division in Christ.  This day demonstrated the results of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection as new life, new unity, and salvation overcame the consequences of sin.

So the Holy Spirit brought unity to the believers.  He brought the ability to speak to the hearts and minds of all people creating unity while demonstrating God’s power over sin.  He brought people to these believers.  They drew a crowd.  They began to preach.  From this gift of unity the Word spread and the church was born.  What can the Holy Spirit do today?