City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 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.”

Acts 2:1-13

Reflection

I was a Christian for ten years before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. I had been born-again, loved God, and I was sincerely trying to be obedient to Him.

But I struggled with the same transgressions over and over again. I knew what was right. But I would be tempted, give in, and then seek forgiveness. Then I would repeat the cycle. 

I read my Bible consistently, and I knew I should be sharing the gospel. But it was so hard to get up the nerve to do it. It was like my introversion and fear conspired to oppose my good intentions.

When the Holy Spirit fell in Acts 2, it was not just an experience for the disciples; it was God’s demonstration of what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. 

Because it was the Feast of Pentecost, religious Jews from all over the world were in Jerusalem (Acts 2:5). The Holy Spirit fell on the disciples, accompanied by sight (tongues of fire resting on them) and sound (rushing wind) and followed by the disciples speaking in tongues of the works of God.

The sound of a hurricane or tornado is frightening and awe-inspiring because their force cannot be controlled by man. At Pentecost, the disciples and those who watched were at the center of the storm.

When Israel was liberated from Egypt, a pillar of fire guided them by night (Exodus 13:21). They understood God was in the pillar of fire. At Pentecost, tongues of fire appeared and rested on the disciples for all to see. 

When the power of God fell on the disciples at Pentecost, they were able to speak so that people from every nation could understand them. They had never learned these languages, yet in an instant the disciples were understood. And when the disciples spoke in tongues, they praised God for His mighty deeds. They were given power and in response they brought glory to God.

At Pentecost, the baptism in the Holy Spirit was on display—the wind showed its power; the fire showed its source; the disciples’ voices showed the change; and what they said showed its purpose.

Application

I was baptized in the Holy Spirit while sitting in a car in the parking lot of Second Baptist Church in Houston in 1987. 

When my friend put her hand on my shoulder and prayed for me to receive it, I felt power flow into me from above my head, down into my belly. Then, like a glass filled to overflowing, it came back up into my mouth.

Everything was different after that. I suddenly found I had power to overcome temptations to which I previously succumbed. Before, resistance seemed futile; now, it was possible.

I began sharing the gospel with people I met on campus at the University of Houston. I even challenged one of my law professors in class when she made a dismissive statement about the Bible.

For my first ten years as a Christian, I didn’t know there was more. I thought I was living the normal Christian life. A person who never leaves the cave cannot know the warmth of the sun.

At Pentecost, God showed the religious world assembled in Jerusalem what it meant to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.  Some were amazed. Some mocked. Nothing has changed.

How will you respond?

Prayer

Lord, if there is more than what I’ve known, I don’t want to miss it. Give me the courage to receive what You are offering. Amen.