At Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out in great measure on the disciples and/or all of the people, then the Ekklesia, (church) began. There were 120 present in that assembly in Jerusalem when Peter, just filled and baptized in the Holy Spirit, stands up in boldness and addresses the crowd.
What does Peter address first?
The very first thing he addresses by saying, “Let me explain this to you: listen carefully to what I say.” Acts 2: 14 He begins to tell the assembly that these men are not drunk. It was only nine in the morning.
He addresses what are noticeable, tangible manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Some folks that were present were making fun of this, for those who the Holy Spirit touched were acting like men who had too much wine to drink. As they were filled with Holy Spirit, they spoke in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them.
Physical manifestations are taking place because the all-powerful, living Holy Spirit, fire of God is impacting the lives of these folks as He is touching and filling them. When God touches an earthen vessel, things happen to that vessel. People may shake, cry, laugh, weep, or even roll on the floor. Some still ask, “What is this?” It’s the power of God!
When the Holy Spirit’s fire touches His people, every fiber of our being is affected and transformed.
Peter, feeling it necessary to explain what’s going on, continues by quoting the prophet Joel, saying, “In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, 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, and they will prophesy…” Acts 2: 17-18
Then Peter concludes his message by testifying of the resurrection of Jesus. He speaks of salvation and of the promised Holy Spirit that all present had just witnessed.
What can we learn from this experience?
When the Holy Spirit touches people and pours out upon the lives of people, with manifestations occurring, the Ekklesia will try to explain what’s happening.
Ekklesia, take note. In trying to explain when Holy Spirit is poured out, do what Peter did. He pointed them right to scripture!
When Holy Spirit touches people, we cannot control how He will touch them.
Manifestations may occur when people are touched and set free. We shouldn’t discount them or immediately assume these happenings are not from God.
The early church, the Ekklesia, walked through this, so we should not be appalled if it happens today.
Do we follow manifestations? No! We follow the Lord. Should we discredit a person or ministry if these things occur? Absolutely not. The power of the Holy Spirit is to be welcomed.
We need the power of the Holy Spirit to come and manifest His presence.
If it is the way that God began things with His Ekklesia (church), it should be welcomed with us. The power of God sets people free. His presence changes everything and everyone.
Remember, Jesus specifically commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to “Wait for the gift My Father promised…John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1: 3-5
Signs, miracles, and wonders follow those who believe.
They flowed out of Jesus. So, they flowed out of God’s servants then and will flow out of God’s servants even now.
When revival hits, when the Holy Spirit is poured out, these kinds of things happen.
The onset of the church was a model of things to come and how to operate and allow the Holy Spirit to flow. We can use scripture to help us walk through some things that seem new and/or different than what we think or try to reason away. Our God is a supernatural God.
When the Holy Spirit broke out, just like us, the people were, “Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2: 12
When we are perplexed, we are baffled, puzzled, and without answers.
The folks on the day of Pentecost were hearing messages from God in their native languages. Who wouldn’t be puzzled? They were experiencing the supernatural.
The definition for supernatural says this: “A manifestation or event attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature:” Folks, that force is the power of God.
There are just some things that defy the laws of nature that cannot be explained; they are beyond human understanding and/or reasoning.
Why am I pointing all of this out?
As I examine the beginning formation of the Ekklesia, the church, I see how we can learn from their example.
I’ve read this scripture in Acts many times, but this time I saw it in a different light.
This is what Holy Spirit does; He illuminates and highlights what we are learning at this present time.
He wants to teach us about who we are as His Ekklesia, His church.
There’s more to learn as we open our hearts before Him,
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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