Acts 2:1-13

Suddenly! The followers become the temples of the living God. Three things accompany that. 

Wind and fire represent the very presence of God. Same word in Hebrew and Greek is translated wind, breath, and spirit. Fire- burning bush, Israel led by pillars of cloud and fire. Mt. Sinai is enveloped by wind and fire. Exodus 19:16-19 Fire carries idea of purification. You don’t come out the same way. Wind is symbolic of God’s power. He held the sea back by a mighty wind. It/He brings dead things back to life. Ezekiel 37 A mighty wind blew and the bodies came to life. What God is saying to Ezekiel will happen someday began at Pentecost. 

This age is marked by death, wasting, violence, sickness, etc. the age to come is marked by God’s good rule, provision, health, and everything works the way it should because God is ruling personally. They believed all sin and suffering would be dealt with all at once. They were not prepared for an age to come that would overlap with the present age. 

We are ok with signs and wonders to a certain degree, but the next part makes a lot of people uncomfortable even in the church. 

Speaking in Tongues-

1. For the world/Missional tongues - supernaturally able to speak another language so that others can hear the Gospel in their heart language. 

2. For the edification of the church- delivering a message from God in a heavenly language that is translated by someone else. 

3. For the individual- for personal prayer and edification of the individual. Not meant to be showed off. 

Why would God choose something so strange and potentially uncomfortable?

1. Reversing the curse of evil and Babel. Adam and Eve choose their own will over God’s will and they are separated from God’s perfect presence. Sin #1 we can be like God and have his knowledge. At the Tower of Babel sin #2 they are trying to get to God. Instead God pours his presence out on us and reverses the confusion. It redeems the existence of many languages and removes the confusion. 

2. Cultures are beautiful. If a language exists it is for declaring the glory of God. God will be praised in languages that don’t even exist yet. It extends the limitation of our own communication. 

3. The gift is for the sake of empowered witness. It makes sense that the symbol of it would be inspired speech that proclaims his glory. Any speech and is prompted by, shaped by, and empowered by the Holy Spirit: worship, preaching, apologetics, etc. 

We can get lost thinking that tongues is the gift. This isn’t about an emotional encounter or a spiritual recharge. The gift of the Spirit is for others through us. If we are seeking tongues we are seeking the wrong thing. 

The gift is empowering experience that enables its recipient to participate effectively in the mission of God. 

I want to be filled with God’s presence and goodness so that I can go tell the world.

Other effects of baptism in the Holy Spirit:

1. It results in a deeper love of holiness and repentance. He makes holy those that he baptizes. If you are not made holy then I question your experience. 

2. It results in increased intimacy with God. 1 Cor 14:2

3. It results in unity among believers. There is something unifying by having the same experience. 1 Cor 12:13

4. It results in love.