Baptized in the Holy Spirit

Acts 2 (NLT)

I recall all of the Star Trek series, as most of us do. There have been many variations of the original television series, even a few great movies. In their travels trough the universe, they encountered many alien beings and were faced with the challenge of understanding what they were saying. In the early series, they developed what was referred to as a universal translator. When present they heard the aliens in English and the aliens heard them in their native tongue. As the series evolved over forty or more years, the sophistication of the translator reached a level where we forgot it even existed.

1 On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus' resurrection, the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

Why did it take so long for Jesus to send the Holy Spirit as He had promised? We can ponder that question and come up with various scenarios, as they do in many of the crime fighting shows we see on television these days. But the truth is we do not know. What we do know is they all met together in one place. And when to or more believers are together in one place, they are the church. They are the bride of Christ.

The truth is that it is not about the wait, it is about the unity. The upper room is where they were staying, but they were not chained to it. Jesus had told them not to leave Jerusalem. He had not said to stay in your room. I believe they moved about the city as they usually did. Some stayed and prayed while others where out and about. They key is not the 144 days or seven weeks since Jesus had ascended, it was about all of them being in the upper room at the same time and in unity, probably all in prayer. Then the Holy Spirit came with the evidence of them speaking in tongues.

5 Godly Jews from many nations were living in Jerusalem at that time. 6 When they heard this sound, they came running to see what it was all about, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. 7 They were beside themselves with wonder. "How can this be?" they exclaimed. "These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking the languages of the lands where we were born! 9 Here we are – Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya toward Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11 Cretans, and Arabians. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!" 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. "What can this mean?" they asked each other. 13 But others in the crowd were mocking. "They're drunk, that's all!" they said.

There was much confusion as others heard what was happening in that upper room.

When speaking in tongues, as the Holy Spirit gives utterance, the words are truly words from another language. They are not just babble like from someone who cannot talk or mutterings from an animal. They are not words made up by the person speaking. They are words from an unknown language, that is to say a language unknown to the person whose mouth the words are coming from. Those understanding the words as their own language will understand the message spoken from God Himself.

In addition, God gives believers at times a gift to understand these strange words. Some even hear them as though spoken in their own language. In other words what is being spoken in an unknown tongues is heard by them in English. They do not hear the other language at all, just the translation.

14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, "Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 Some of you are saying these people are drunk. It isn't true! It's much too early for that. People don't get drunk by nine o'clock in the morning. 16 No, what you see this morning was predicted centuries ago by the prophet Joel: 17 'In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy. 19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below – blood and fire and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred, before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. 21 And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Peter stepped forward as a leader and calming the confused mob, he explained with scripture what had occurred, ending with a salvation call.

I notice here that the scripture speaks clearly about all men and women, and not about the apostles alone. We are all called to be followers of Christ and all called to do the Father’s work. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to fill each and every believer and all we have to do is ask. The evidence being speaking in an unknown language referred to as tongues.

This is one way God speaks to us today, through the translation of tongues by a gifted spirit filled believer. It is also a language we use to communicate with God the Father, a prayer language only He can understand that opens up a direct connection to Him. Paul tells us later that praying in the spirit if for personal edification because as we pray, God fills us and changes us from the inside out.

22 "People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus of Nazareth by doing wonderful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But you followed God's prearranged plan. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to the cross and murdered him. 24 However, God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life again, for death could not keep him in its grip. 25 King David said this about him: 'I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 26 No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. 27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will give me wonderful joy in your presence.' 29 "Dear brothers, think about this! David wasn't referring to himself when he spoke these words I have quoted, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. 30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David's own descendants would sit on David's throne as the Messiah. 31 David was looking into the future and predicting the Messiah's resurrection. He was saying that the Messiah would not be left among the dead and that his body would not rot in the grave. 32 "This prophecy was speaking of Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and we all are witnesses of this. 33 Now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, 'The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in honor at my right hand 35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.' 36 So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!"

Peter continues to preach scripture to the masses and explain what had just happened in the that upper room.

Jesus continues to pour the Holy Spirit out upon us. As we confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord and Savior in our lives, and ask Him for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we receive the Holy Spirit from Him with evidence of speaking in tongues.

37 Peter's words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles– all who have been called by the Lord our God." 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, "Save yourselves from this generation that has gone astray!" 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church – about three thousand in all.

His words made sense to many and they asked what they should do next. Peter tells them the promise is for all of mankind, not just the male Jews. Three thousand came to their salvation that day.

42 They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

And the church grew—not an institutional church as we think of it today with the thousands of seats in a large auditorium and set programs and schedules. No, he was referring to the church as in the body of Christ. The church as in those that gathered together in unity as believers devoted to learn what Jesus had taught the disciples, and sharing in communion and prayer.

They shared with each others, worshipped God daily, and went from house to house sharing meals enjoying each other’s company. As with any good thing, word traveled from mouth to mouth, and many were saved.