Memorize: Outpouring of Holy Spirit
Key Verses: 3, 5, 8, 15, 16, 22, 37-38, 42
Sometimes we get so used to hearing a passage of Scripture, or we just read so fast, that we take some things for granted. Take a look at verse three. These are not tongues of fire, but something that looked like tongues of fire above their heads. A tongue of fire is like the flame of a candle, not like a physical mouth tongue made out of fire. These are small details, but important ones. Every word of the Word is important. This “tongue” is a visible sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in an unlearned language was the audible sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence. The LORD made these tangible
Some people think that the miracle was that each heard their own language being spoken rather than the disciples speaking all these different languages, a miracle of hearing rather than a miracle of speaking. Besides not fitting with the text, how would they know that all the languages were being heard unless they themselves heard all the different language? They would only be hearing their own language. And their reaction is that they think they are drunk. I didn’t know that drinking alcohol gave a person the power to speak comprehensively in a language they had not learned. Why bother going to language school, just have a few drinks!
Luke doesn’t use the normal wording for fulfillment of prophecy. If it were fulfillment, then the blood, fire, and smoke would be there as well. Jesus’ signs and wonders were God’s stamp of approval on His life. They were God’s spotlight shining through eternity. They had seen these miracles and Peter points that out to them. They had handed Him over to be crucified. He rose from the grave. This was predicted by David more than 700 years before it happened.
When the central Truth of Jesus is preached, God convicts people and calls them to Himself. Then people are changed and the world changes as a result.
The Early Church was simple: teaching, fellowship, eating and prayer. And when that happened, people flocked to obey. How have we made it so complicated? How have we made it about the music, the kid’s programs, the donuts? We have become consumers of a religious program rather than witnesses to what Jesus has done in our lives. We tell third-hand stories about a second hand experience hoping someone will gain first-hand knowledge, because we are too afraid to encounter God ourselves. God would tell us to change, and we don’t want to change.
REVIEW: Keep working John.
The Arnold Journey 