The Holy Spirit, Wholly Given

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." - Acts 2:1‭-‬13 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

Era of the Spirit

Pentecost happened fifty days after the Passover. It was around the time of harvest, which aptly described God's harvest of souls for salvation. The Hebrew and Greek terms for the Holy Spirit were associated with wind and breath. But the Holy Spirit is not an inanimate thing; He is a person.

What is the Holy Spirit?

He is one of the three persons of the one God. He is not lesser or inferior to Jesus and God, the Father. He was hovering over the water at creation. He empowered people in the Old Testament. But this is a new period, the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all believers, young, old, male and female.

How then can one be filled with the Spirit, if they have the Spirit now and forever? How does that work? The clarification comes from the prior caution to avoid drunkenness. We are called to be influenced by the Spirit rather than strong drink.

So then, how do we know the Spirit is influencing us? The ministry of the Holy Spirit is one of spotlighting Jesus and glorifying God, the Father. He does not draw attention to himself, but rather points us to the Father and the Son. We can have periods of life where we are a source of grief for the Spirit. We go astray from the goodness of following God's desire for our lives.

Effect of the Spirit, Corporately

The Galileans were considered backwater, uncultured, and uneducated people. Hence, the surprise of the people around them. How could there be such learning of so many languages? It is the opposite of the tower of Babel. God is bringing back together that which divides us. He is reconciling all people. God brings all tribes and nations to salvation.

We, as believers, are called to live in community, not just in the community. We are to value the multitude of cultural expressions of faith and worship of God.

Effect of the Spirit, Individually

The Holy Spirit comes down as fire. It is to make our hearts burn with passion for God. He is here to empower us to witness to Christ and the Good News of salvation.