Acts 2 is the story of how the Church began. They were all in one accord, expecting something to happen, just as Jesus had promised. Suddenly, there was a rushing mighty wind, and what appeared as tongues of fire descended on all of them, filling them with the Holy Spirit.
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, NIV.)
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them, (v4): Acts 2 describes the events of Pentecost, which occurred fifty days after Jesus' resurrection. The disciples were gathered together in one place when suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house, and tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken, (v5-6): A large crowd gathered because they heard the disciples speaking in their own languages, and they were amazed and perplexed. Some accused the disciples of being drunk, but Peter stood up and addressed the crowd, explaining that what was happening was the fulfilment of Joel's prophecy concerning the pouring out of the Spirit in the last days.
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel, (v14-16): This experience should continue until the Coming of Christ; I take this literally. My experience aged 13, of being filled with the Holy Spirit, has never left me. The Power and Anointing is stronger now aged 91.
I was searching for something which does not come from men, the real power of God. At Easter we used to have three Pentecostal Conventions in London. I determined to go and not leave until I had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit! The preaching was so long in the morning, there was no time to pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit! I went up to those great men of God on the platform and said, “I only came to receive the fire, pray for me!” They took me to a small room, laid their hands on me, but their minds were on their lunch! I did not receive the Holy Spirit. One of those pastors saw my heart, opened the Scripture to me, then when he prayed and laid hands on me, it was as if the roof came off the building, I saw the Glory of God and felt the fire! The fire of the Holy Ghost, the power of God and the Glory of God came into my life! Now I had to become an evangelist! I had to preach Christ, and see the Power! That baptism was only the beginning! If you want to be effective in ministry, you MUST be filled with the Holy Spirit!
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, (v17-18): Our God is about to do great things! His power is on the increase. Biblically God’s power cannot become smaller! At a time of national calamity, Joel 2:21&23 says, ‘Rejoice and be glad, for the Lord is about to do great things – in YOUR nation! ... Be glad, rejoice in your God, because He gave you the former rain moderately, and He will give you the latter rain!’ I know Israel well: the former (first) rain is when they plant the seed, the last rain is just before the harvest and it is greater than the first – that’s why I believe we are living in a new Day of Pentecost (harvest) now! When the church was born on the Day of Pentecost, it was born in fire! And before Jesus comes back, we’re going to have another greater baptism in fire!
If we believe we are living in the last days, we need the Holy Spirit desperately! The reason I first received the Holy Spirit was because I knew I had to preach the Gospel – with lives changed, souls saved into the Kingdom!
Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know, (v22): Peter preached boldly about Jesus, his crucifixion, and resurrection, declaring him to be both Lord and Messiah. His words pierced the hearts of many in the crowd, and about three thousand people repented and were baptised that day.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles, (v42-43): The believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared everything they had, and signs and wonders were done through the apostles. The community grew in number daily, and they praised God together, finding favour with all the people.
This chapter marks a significant moment in the early church's history, as it describes the empowering of the disciples by the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian church through the preaching of the Gospel.