So what is it that the Church desperately needs? What could be stronger and more recognizable in the Church? Well, the answer is… The power of the Holy Spirit. Do you see what I’m saying?
The Church had a strong and vibrant beginning. It was growing rapidly in those early days as God was stirring things up. Powerful messages were being proclaimed, miraculous things were happening, and the people were growing mightily and producing abundant fruit. I wish I could have been at just one of their gatherings. No doubt, it would have shaken up my life a bit.
We are gearing up for our ONLINE Bible study on Acts. What’s amazing is that God has given us this historical book which chronicles the early days of the Church and reveals the power within. So for the next few weeks, I would like to touch on the Holy Spirit – lessons from our Acts Bible study. ***If you want to learn more and become a powered-by-the-Holy Spirit believer, then you’ll want to join our Bible study. Click here to sign up…
Let’s travel back in time to this anointed day when, in just a matter of moments, believers’ lives were transformed by the Holy Spirit. And oh my, what a thrilling entrance it was.
To refresh your memory, here’s what happened… “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:1-4).
On the day of Pentecost, the wind blew something fierce. Scripture doesn’t pull any punches when it uses the word violent to describe this wind.
The word wind comes from the Greek word pnoe and means, “wind” or “breath.” With this in mind—and since we know that the wind came from heaven—it might be accurate to say that what they heard was God’s breath. Hence, God breathed His Holy Spirit into them. How remarkable is that? And this – the Holy Spirit’s dramatic entrance – is what changed everything for the believer.
But here’s the thing… this is the SAME Holy Spirit that’s given to believers today. The moment you put your trust in Jesus, God breathed His Spirit in you, too. If there’s ever a WOW moment you can look back on, THIS IS IT!
Not only did they hear the wind noise, but they also saw what looked like tongues of fire on each of the believers in that room. In Scripture, we learn that fire often represents the presence of God.
In summary, the two components that represented the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost were wind and tongues of fire. Now let me ask you… when you combine wind and fire, what do you get?
A ROARING BLAZE!
Do you often wonder what caused the church to expand so rapidly during those days and where the early believers’ exuberant passion came from? Well my friend, the answer has been revealed: the WIND THAT FUELED THE FIRE. The church was set ablaze on the day of Pentecost. There would be no stopping it. In spite of the skeptics, doubters, and haters, the Holy Spirit set the church on fire and the blaze was spreading like wildfire.
I believe the Church desperately needs this power again. And I believe it’s possible. But it has to start with each person. The Church needs more Holy Spirit driven believers.
So stay with me as I cover more from our Acts Bible study in the weeks to come. I believe the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself to us in greater detail and help us to move in His power.
Would love if you would join us for our ONLINE Bible study on Acts. It’s gonna be awesome. It’s FREE!
Have a blessed day…
