“…I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.” — Joel 2:28-29 NLT
On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. — Acts 2:1-4 NLT
The promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was prophesied by Prophet Joel. The fulfilment of this prophesy occurred at Pentecost. Prior to Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was only poured out on selected people for specific purposes.
John the Baptist had stated during his ministry that the Messiah would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire: “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matthew 3:11 (NLT)
When Jesus rose, He commanded the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, as promised by the Father: “…‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”Acts 1:4-5 (NLT)
The disciples did not know the specifics of Jesus’ instruction regarding the promised Holy Spirit. I can almost imagine them trying to figure out what to expect! They didn’t know the time when it would happen, or if they had to do anything. All they needed to do was to trust the words of Jesus and wait.
When the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit as promised, the Spirit gave them utterance or the ability to speak in other tongues or languages. The words spoken by the believers under the influence of the Holy Spirit were known languages at the time and not random words.
But the speaking in tongues wasn’t the power the believers needed to preach the gospel; it was only the manifestation or evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
In my early years as a believer, the Holy Spirit was often associated with speaking in tongues. Whenever the phrase “Holy Spirit” is mentioned in church meetings, people automatically start speaking in random words and majority of the time with no interpretation.
But the work of the Holy Spirit is far more than speaking in tongues. We will discuss Holy Spirit’s influence in the life of a believer and the Church in a later blog.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 