Last week, we discovered the early believers powerless without the Holy Spirit. Jesus told them to remain in the city and wait. They gathered for ten days, praying and waiting.

They were faithful in their waiting, carrying out Jesus’ instructions. Afterward, an incredible event transpires.

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:2–4 NIV)

Wind and fire (or at least something like wind and fire) fill the place. These elements are often used in Scripture to represent God.

When God calls Moses, he appears in a burning bush. When God emerges on Mt. Sinai, he comes in smoke and fire. And when He is revealed in Acts 2, fire is a part of the deal. But this time, the fire is on them. This is like nothing seen before. While God has made himself known in the past, here “tongues of fire… rest on each of them”. God is not off in the distance, he is filling each person.

Jesus has completed his work on the cross, eternally defeating death. He returns to the Father and then sends the Spirit to fill each believer. The Spirit is not a mini Jesus. The Spirit is fully God, just as the Father and the Son. He functions by empowering the believers to carry out the work of God. If we begin to wrap our minds around what is going on here, it will blow us away. God filling us!

Do we comprehend that we are commissioned by the Spirit, directed by the Spirit, and empowered by the Spirit. We are sent agents of God. God is not here to serve us, to meet our needs. We serve Him, employed by His Spirit. Certainly, we will be satisfied in this task, but our personal happiness is not the goal.

Join us on Sunday as we consider the event and its implications in Acts 2.