Acts 2:1-13. A PRAYING CHURCH WILL BE A POWERFUL CHURCH “It is the Spirit that quickeneth.” Where they were, v.1. “They were all with one accord in one place.” They were in one place because they were all in one accord This is a condition of the heart in each one This means we are committed to being unified with our brothers and sisters in Christ This means we are not self-seeking people who lack love for others When the blessing came, “When the day of Pentecost was fully come” God has a timetable. He does nothing prematurely, and He is never late The Holy Spirit came when they were ready to receive Him We have to be ready and willing to act on what the Holy Spirit directs us to do How blessing came, v.2-3. “Suddenly, as a rushing mighty wind… cloven tongues as of fire.” He didn’t come through a gradual growth process or slow development He came as a gift from God in fulfillment of God’s promise The Holy Spirit is a personality who is not controlled by the will of people or the limitations of people To whom blessing came, v.3-4. “It sat upon each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit God is no respecter of persons, gender, age, or social status Every waiting, willing person was filled with the Holy Spirit Each one received evidence of the Holy Spirit, but each demonstrated the Spirit's filling in the way the Spirit suited them. Each person was conscious of God the Holy Spirit working in and through them The effects produced, v.4-13. “The Spirit gave them utterance…” On themselves: They were filled with the Spirit and spoke in other languages as the Spirit directed them. They were possessed and controlled by God's power. God used them for His own purposes. On others: Some who saw and heard what was happening were amazed and marveled at the obvious work of God. Others mocked and ridiculed the work of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:1–13