Acts 2:4
Mike Chenevey
Imagine that we are in the town of Jerusalem around 30 AD. Imagine also that we are Jews and have traveled far with our family and friends to this dusty place; we have traveled by camel caravan from a far away place in North Africa to visit Jerusalem. This was, after all, the Holy City, the destination of all true followers of God. There was no other place like it on the earth! It was filled with the wonders of the ancient and only true religion – that of the Hebrews.
We have come with many other worshippers to celebrate a feast day – celebrating the blessings of the spring rains – the first crops of the season. Winter is over, and the land is green again! All things are new, and we are celebrating God’s goodness. Even though we come from different parts of the Roman Empire and have our own “home languages,” we all speak the common God-language, that of the Hebrews. But only our own traveling companions know the speech of our African home.
We are devout followers of the True God, and have sought our entire lives to follow the ways of our ancestors – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses and David.
Recently, we have hard of some incredible things happening in Jerusalem. A man who had claimed to be the Messiah had been stirring up the country, encouraging people to follow God in wonderful, faith-filled ways. The Messiah was the Anointed One; a prophet like Moses! We have been awaiting the Messiah for many years. Perhaps he would revive our ancient culture and bring God’s power back to the Jews! Was he really the true Messiah? Since we live so far away, we have wondered if all the stories of miracles and healings could be true, but we never got a chance to see this man or hear of his teachings ourselves.
You see, only about seven weeks ago, everything changed. This man called Jesus had been found guilty of heresy and crucified, the way the Romans did to all who were enemies of the state. What a disappointment.
But here we are in Jerusalem again. It is good to be here with out brothers and sisters. It is good to pray together for God to bless us. In fact, here it is, 9 am in the morning, and we are going for prayer in that great and beautiful temple with thousands of others. Perhaps something exciting will happen today! The air is still and the people quietly walk towards the temple.
All of a sudden, out of nowhere, comes a ruckus – a group of Jews from Galilee (isn’t that where that Jesus fellow was from?!) come running through the streets, coming toward us, shouting and praising God! Perhaps they have drunk too much of that new wine they were supposed to save for the celebration tonight! Wait! These men cannot possibly . . . yes, they are praising God sure enough, but they are speaking the language of my home a thousand miles away! How could this be possible! They are definitely Galileans. And they are declaring the wonders of God to us! What zeal and excitement these people have! What is going on!? What can this mean?
This was, as best as I could re-create it, the scene for what is recorded by Luke the physician – a follower of Jesus – in the book of Acts, chapter 2. We usually read this chapter with too much history and other people’s thinking in our brains. But we need to stop and ask the same question that the devout Jews asked, “Whatever could this mean?” (Acts 2:12). What does it mean for us, here in 2014? Well, I‘ll tell you, I am glad that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Heb. 13:8).
The Bible tells us that the followers of Jesus the Messiah were experiencing what is termed being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is “Spirit fullness;” they were “Spirit-filled.” Many people speak of this experience today. Some people say it means one thing, some another, but what does the Bible tell us? It is very important to know what this experience meant to the disciples of Jesus, the Jews in Jerusalem where it happened, and to us today, as those seeking to know and understand and live the God-oriented life.
The Bible is clear that this “Spirit-filled” experience has five primary characteristics:
- Spirit-fullness is the power of God
To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with the power of God. What does this mean? It means that whatever God wants you to accomplish, you have the ability to accomplish, no matter how difficult the path appears.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” Acts 1:8
Both Kristina and I experienced some dramatic changes after we were filled with the Holy Spirit. I remember feeling that I had been turned onto something much greater than I had ever experienced before. I had what are called “words of knowledge” about people and things (e.g., hand). I felt the ability to pray for people and see people healed. I began to pray for others and see them filled with the Holy Spirit. I began to see visions for people and, with explanation, encourage others. I felt like a key had been turned in my life!
Spirit-fullness provides the ability to serve God
The disciples of Jesus were told not to continue in their ministries until they had been filled with the Holy Spirit. This experience was necessary for their mission.
“On one occasion, while [Jesus] was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit’” Acts 1:4-5.
If the disciples had to be filled with the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t we? Many are trying to do ministry, serve others, live out a Christian life, but all without the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t leave the place where you are” until you are filled. Then go out!
I was just a “Joe Christian” until I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I liked church and the potlucks. But I had no desire to be like those preachers on TV or even the pastor of (or in) a church. I was content to let the guys who were paid do the praying and preaching and whatever. It was definitely not for me.
Then . . . I sat down one day and prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I asked Him to fill me with His power and ability to love people. Do you know what happened? I got it. Not much happened at first, except I felt really good. But later, I began to have strange words passing through my brain. I began to speak them out loud – alone in my room at first, just me and God.
Then one day at our church the pastor invited people to come forward and be prayed for. I saw people going to the front, and my pastor invited us to come up and pray for them. So I went up there and prayed for them! As I did, suddenly I felt as if I was “wrapped” in the Holy Spirit. Like He was ministering through me to these people. It is difficult to explain, but I felt the power of God. Certainly, it was just a taste, but I definitely wanted more! I suddenly got a desire to minister to others and pray for them. I launched out and began leading a small group. I prayed and other people were filled with the Holy Spirit as I had been (many variations and manifestations). People got healed. People gave their lives to the Lord.
Since that time, when I prayed to receive the filling of the Holy Spirit, life has been a wild ride. It has been anything but boring! It has not always been comfortable, and some of you can relate to that, but it has not been status quo by any stretch.
How could I, after experiencing the power of God, turn back and be a pew-sitter? I could not. I pursued this ministry – an unlikely candidate for sure. I was a geologist, enjoying my trips into the deserts of Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, looking for gold. But I felt God’s calling and anointing for pastoral work, so here I am.
In many ways, I now have a hard time conceiving how anyone who really gets what Jesus did and who He is could ever just sit still or not desire with all their hearts to follow God into the adventurous, faith-filled life. You know, Kris and I had some fun times before we “lived by faith,” but the faith-living is what keeps us motivated. It means that we are not stuck in one place, but God breaks in to the mundane life and the impossible situations and blows us away with His power, or His blessings. Now that’s living! Expect a miracle!
Spirit fullness provides the ability to serve.
- Spirit-fullness is the key to miracles
Jesus did not perform any miracles until he had been empowered by the Holy Spirit:
At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit was said to descend on Him like a dove. Soon after, the Bible tells us,
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil” Luke 4:1-2.
And after the 40 days of tempting,
“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside” Luke 4:14
The Apostle Paul did no miracles until he was filled with the Holy Spirit:
Before he was a believer in Jesus, Paul was called Saul, and he lived to persecute Christians, being very zealous for Judaism. Saul had a powerful experience with the living resurrected Jesus while on his way to persecute Christians in the town of Damascus. That “bright” experience left him blind. Soon after, the Bible tells us that he was visited by a disciple named Ananias:
“Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized” Acts 9:17-18.
Peter did not perform any miracles until he had been filled with the Holy Spirit:
Just days after Peter had been filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, He and John went to the temple to pray. Here they saw a man who had been crippled since birth. He had never walked.
“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God” Acts 3:6-8.
And soon after the same incident, the Bible tells us,
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed” Acts 4:8-10
Other disciples of Jesus, such as Philip and John, are only recorded as performing signs and wonders after the Pentecost event; after they were filled with the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised.
So it seems logical that if Jesus, Paul, Peter, and Philip were enabled to perform signs and wonders, healings and exorcisms, and the like after the experience of Holy Spirit filling, then we are also empowered to do the same, after the same experience.
Spirit-fullness is a key to miracles.
- Spirit-fullness is available to any believer in Jesus
How do you get filled with the Holy Spirit? What exactly is this experience? First, you have to know Jesus as your savior – as the director of your life.
The Apostle Peter, just after the Pentecost experience where he was filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke to the bewildered crowd. He said,
“’Exalted to the right hand of God, [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear . . . Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” Acts 2:33-39
Is the Lord still calling? As far as I know! When did He stop? He hasn’t! He still calls out to people to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit just as the disciples did on Pentecost.
5. Spirit-fullness is accompanied by verbal expression
Filling with the Holy Spirit is both seen and heard.
During his Pentecost message, Peter said,
“[Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear” Acts 2:33.
Throughout the book of Acts, in every instance (except one) where people were said to be filled with the Holy Spirit, the filling was accompanied or followed by this phenomenon called “tongues” or “other languages.” In other words, they spoke; they proclaimed. The one instance where this verbal expression is not explicit was when Peter, John, and Philip were in Samaria, and were laying hands on people to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Something very tangible happened when they did this, so much so that one man offered to pay for the ability to give people the Holy Spirit.
Why a verbal expression? Somehow, the ability to speak to God in a spiritual language is important, and sets apart those who are God’s. The Apostle Paul writes to the church of Corinth about this,
“Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:1-3
The difference between the followers of idols and the followers of God is their God-empowered speech; speech empowered by the Holy Spirit.
About Receiving the Holy Spirit
Receiving the Holy Spirit is a very simple process, but it has profound effects to the one who desires the Lord’s heart in this matter.
In many places in the book of Acts, people were filled with the Spirit after having hands laid upon them by the Apostles.
“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-17
in another place,
“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit” Acts 9:17
and,
“Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied” Acts 19:1-6
What can you expect when you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
- An empowered life
Power for living the God-directed life.
2. Access to the miraculous
Healing. Understanding. Knowledge.
- A spiritual prayer language
Is this language something explained in detail for us in the Bible? No. But we are given enough knowledge to be able to understand and practice a prayer language.
Key Scriptures:
“Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit” 1 Cor. 14:2
“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” 1 Cor. 14:4
“If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays” 1 Cor. 14:14
“Do not forbid speaking in tongues” 1 Cor. 14:39
- Joy!
“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52
The disciples were filled with joy. So, we can be as well! Some of you need more joy in your life! And in your circumstances, this joy can only come from the power of God.
Sometimes joy comes from being able to serve, or give to others.
The key is, and I want to leave you with this, that Spirit-filling is not for the one who receives it. It is always intended for service to others.
