Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The Holy Spirit gets started

And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams; (Acts 2:12-17, ESV)

The purpose of the Holy Spirit giving the disciples the ability to talk in unknown languages was to spread the gospel, not to create a scene. But, obviously a scene was created. A lot of people talking at once in different languages which the speakers themselves didn't understand looked like some people to be a mob of drunkards. Peter interprets the languages as a fulfillment of Joel's prophesy. The Holy Spirit is no longer confined to individuals for periods of time, but is now poured out freely on all the disciples. What's changed? Jesus dies and rose. That not only gives us the gifts of forgiveness and adoption but also the gift of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were baptised in the Spirit. There is no need to read into that anything regarding a second blessing or spectacular event but the image of baptism suggests total immersion in the spirit - the spirit impacts every area of their lives. That is how the church is going to get going - the Spirit filling people to spread the news about Jesus

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