We must gather together like the Day of Pentecost and the early Church, be filled with the Holy Spirit, pray with fire, and live by the Word.
Reading Scripture: Acts 2:1–4 (NASB)
… suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from Heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them …Acts 2:4 (NASB)
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.”
The risen Lord appeared to His disciples and showed that He was alive again. He told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father that they had heard from Him. He said that John baptized with water, but they would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Before He ascended, He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NASB)
How was this fulfilled?
1. The Coming of the Holy Spirit and His Works
After the Lord ascended, about 120 disciples and believers gathered in the upper room of Mark’s house and prayed with one heart. On the Day of Pentecost, a sound like a violent rushing wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house. Tongues that looked like fire came down and rested on each person. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them the words to speak (Acts 2:1–4). This was the beginning of the coming of the Holy Spirit, and it happened just as the prophet Joel had spoken (Joel 2:28–29).
Those who received the Holy Spirit spoke many kinds of tongues. By the works of the Holy Spirit, they also prophesied, saw visions, and received many gifts. Through these gifts they worked for the Kingdom of Heaven and for righteousness. The apostles, including Peter, received boldness and preached the gospel with power. They showed the living God through the works of the Holy Spirit. In this way the early Church was formed, and the believers followed the teaching of the apostles and lived by the will of the Lord.
Today, the day that comes fifty days after Resurrection Sunday is kept as the Day of Pentecost. This day remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who receives Jesus Christ and repents of sin receives the Holy Spirit as a gift (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit helps us live according to the will of the Lord. When we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we can enjoy the rights and blessings of the children of God. We also receive power to become witnesses of the Lord to the ends of the earth.
2. The Formation of the Church and the Early Church
The disciples who learned directly from the Lord Jesus received the Holy Spirit and received power. They preached the gospel with boldness and performed signs and wonders. So the number of people who received salvation increased day by day. A gathering of believers was formed in Jerusalem. This became the beginning of the Church, and we call it the early Church. The early Church was led by the disciples who saw the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord. They prayed, received the Holy Spirit, and worked with power. So the early Church was the Church that walked most correctly in the will of the Lord. Now let us look at the characteristics of the early Church in Jerusalem.
First, they gathered in the temple every day with one heart.
Acts 2:46 says that the believers gathered in the temple every day with one mind. Hebrews 10:25 says that we must not stop meeting together, but encourage one another, and do so even more as we see the day drawing near. So we must also follow the early Church and gather in the temple with one heart. The Lord loves believers who keep the Lord’s Day holy, attend the Lord’s Day service, the Wednesday service, the Friday prayer service, and the early morning prayer meetings. When we gather in the sanctuary, we worship the Lord, hear the Word, learn His will, and receive faith to overcome the world. Then we can live by the will of the Lord.
Second, they shared fellowship and devoted themselves to prayer.
Acts 2:42 says, “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The believers shared fellowship. They shared testimonies and spiritual experiences with one another and gave glory to the Lord. So their faith became stronger. They also devoted themselves to prayer. Prayer is the breath of the spirit. Prayer is the key to answers. So 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you.” 1 Peter 4:7 says that we must be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Without prayer, we cannot overcome the world and sin. We cannot stay in the truth. When we pray like the early Church, we receive strength from Heaven. We overcome the devil and live in the truth. Our faith grows, and we have hope for the Kingdom of Heaven, and we can rejoice always. When we live this way, disease cannot enter our lives, and we can live a strong and healthy life.
Third, they loved one another and rejoiced always.
Acts 2:44–47 shows how the believers shared everything. They sold their possessions and shared with anyone who had need. They ate together with gladness and sincere hearts, and they praised the Lord. Jesus said that loving God and loving our neighbor is the greatest command. The believers of the early Church obeyed this. They sold their possessions, helped the poor, and loved with action and truth. They always rejoiced and praised the Lord. Because of Adam’s disobedience, all people were heading toward destruction. But anyone who receives Jesus Christ can enter the Kingdom of Heaven where there is no sorrow, no pain, no tears, and no death. If we believe this truly, we can rejoice always and praise the Lord in every situation.
Fourth, they were devoted to preaching.
Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses… to the end of the earth.” Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The will of the Lord is to save all people. For this purpose the Lord Jesus died on the cross. The early Church obeyed this will and preached the gospel with the fragrance of Christ. So Acts 2:47 says that the believers received praise from all the people, and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. We must also practice love and live by the Word so that we may show the fragrance of Christ. Then we can be the light and salt of the world, receive a good testimony from people, and bear fruit in evangelism.
Fifth, many signs and wonders appeared.
Acts 2:43 says that many signs and wonders were taking place through the apostles. People have hard hearts. Many do not believe unless they see signs (John 4:48). So the Lord Jesus also showed signs and wonders to confirm that the Word of God is true. Today we must also see many signs and wonders. Without experiencing the power of God, it is not easy to have true faith. So the Lord lets us see signs and wonders so that we may believe, be strengthened, and reach salvation. The early Church gathered with one heart, received the fullness of the Holy Spirit, shared fellowship, prayed with fire, and lived by the Word of God. Many signs and wonders appeared, and more people were saved every day. They gave great glory to the Lord. All churches today must follow the early Church and live by the will of the Lord. We must work to lead many souls to the way of salvation.
Plus
What is a “sign”?
A sign is the work of God that moves the powers of nature. This includes moving clouds, sending rain or stopping rain, or moving heavenly bodies.
What is a “wonder”?
A wonder is a work that shows the power of God beyond human ability. The blind see, the mute speak, the deaf hear, and the lame walk. It is the direct work of the power of the Lord.
Memory Scripture: Acts 2:38 (NASB)
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Reference Scripture: Acts 2:37–47
… praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
