The Effect of the Spirit's Coming (Acts 2:5-11)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/15/2017 8:09 AM

My Worship Time                                                           Focus: The Effect of the Spirit’s Coming

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Acts 2:5-11

            Message of the verses:  “5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9  "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10  Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11  Cretans and Arabs-we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God."”

            We have mentioned in earlier SD’s that the feast of Pentecost was one of three major feats that took place in Jerusalem each year and all males were required to go to these three feasts.  With that said we have to believe that there were many people in Jerusalem during this feast as we can see in verse nine the different places where they came from.

            We have to believe also that these people heard the sound of the rushing wind (rather than the sounds of the languages), as the multitude came together in the vicinity of the upper room.  It is hard for me to imagine what was going through the minds of the people as each one was hearing his own language that was being spoken.  We will see later on that the apostles were accused of being drunk and this may have been a logical conclusion since the people did not know who these men were.

            I have to believe that when God wants to get someone’s attention He certainly can do that, which is what was going on in Jerusalem almost 2000 years ago as the Holy Spirit of God began what is now known as the church, as we now live in the church age which Christ promised would happen after He returned to heaven.

            When we see the phrase “Galileans” it was not a good term for even Nathanael told Philip in John 1:45-46 “45  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 Nathanael said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."”

            I am not going to take the time to write about each of the places where these people came from, as this just shows me that there were many people groups there to be a part of this feast.  They were completely surprised that these supposedly ignorant Galileans were speaking in many different languages.  I believe that this was a very big shock for all who were there, but as I said God was getting their attention.

            John MacArthur writes:  “The content of these languages is identified by Luke as ‘speaking of the mighty deeds of God.’  Such rehearsal was an essential element of Jewish life and worship.  Exodus 15:11 says, ‘"Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders?’ (cf. Isa. 25:1).  Such praise was also a frequent theme of the book of Psalms.  Psalm 40:5 reads, ‘Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which Thou hast done,’ while Psalm 77:11 adds, ‘I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.’

            “Having used the sound of the wind to gather the crowd, the Spirit now convinces them that these believers in Jesus Christ were devoted to praising the one true God. Blasphemers, as many thought them to be, could not be extolling the greatness of God.  All that recitation of what God had done prepared the way for Peter’s proclamation of the gospel beginning in verse 14.  The good news of salvation in Jesus Christ was the climax toward which the Holy Spirit was building.”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I am thankful for what God did when He began the church, thankful that He saved me, and thankful that I can read in His Word how this all began.  Later on we will see that 3000 people came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and the church age was off and running.  God fulfilled His plans in beginning the church age and I am thankful that He saved me to be a part of His flock.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  I have to trust the Lord to work out some things that are a problem for me at this time that He will work them out for my good, and for His glory.

 Answer to yesterday’s Bible question:  “All were minor prophets.”

Today’s Bible Question:  “What was the fifth plague that God placed on Egypt?

Answer in our next SD.

7/15/2017 8:44 AM