Acts of the Apostles [2:1-4]
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. [1]
[1] Unless otherwise noted all Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Posted on July 19, 2015, in Real Christianity and tagged Apostles, Book of Acts, Day of Pentecost, Holy Spirit, Infilling of the Holy Spirit, Jerusalem, Lord Jesus, Real Christianity, Speaking in Tongues, The Upper Room. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
Yes, and amen…the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. All dressed up and no place to go. I am so starving for fellowship where I could minister to and be ministered to with other believers like the early saints in real time.
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Thanks for commenting, Scarlett. I believe the Lord continues in the process of creating strong individual disciples toward real fellowship, which must happen, and is happening, but it must be the real thing. Real unity, as you well know, is not merely collecting a bunch of people together in one place, usually under a roof and behind walls. Real fellowship is of the heart, and hearts must be joined together.
But prior to this, individual hearts must first be joined together with the heart of the Lord Jesus. Our spirits must be fused with His Spirit. Many “Christians” do not qualify by their own choices.
Keep praying and believing. Until then the Lord’s people in such a place, and there are MANY, must keep doing what the Lord has called them to do. It is always better to answer our callings and serve the Lord though possibly without real fellowship, than to refuse our callings for the sake of false fellowship.
For Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.
Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. [2Timothy 4:10-17]
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I love this scripture. For me, this is a tremendous reminder of the power of His great love. This is a much needed reminder of what He has done, is doing, and forever will do for those who call Him Savior. I am drawn once again to Ephesians 2, that speaks of where God has placed us; “. . . at the Father’s right hand, in heavenly places.” These two scriptures are enough to pull us from powerless and lost, to powerful, and filled with purpose. As always, thank you for sharing His Word. ♥
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Thanks Jacquie. He had planned Pentecost all along, and it was vitally important as both a point of creation and a foundation of truth and real community.
This fact should be obvious, that the Lord Jesus began His great worldwide community in a nondescript Upper Room with what turned out to be a mere 120 disciples, though He had preached to tens of thousands. Yet, He repeated the exact action again and again throughout the Book of Acts, proving it is the way He always begins. At the very start, He creates real disciples for a real purpose. Be brings great blessing, power, joy, and love, to satisfy and fulfill our every spiritual desire, and becomes a real Father.
The proponents of mainline “Christianity” have largely rejected Pentecost, however, and continuously attempt the false cures and improper starts of their own methods. The results are all around us though this truth and experience has always been available.
The great news, for all those who want it, is that He is bringing it forth in great power yet again…
Be blessed
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