The Holy Spirit is Sent by the Father (Acts 2:1-4)
The arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was sudden, marked by a sound like a mighty rushing wind that filled the whole house where the disciples were gathered (Acts 2:2). Dividing tongues like fire appeared and rested upon each of them, signifying no separation of clergy within the Church (Acts 2:3). This event demonstrated that the Holy Spirit was sent to all believers, not just the apostles. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4). The Greek terms for "filled" provide important insights: πληρόω refers to filling where something is lacking, while πίμπλημι indicates a controlling influence, as seen in Acts 2:2 and 2:4, respectively.
The Filling and Control of the Holy Spirit
Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit's filling often influenced people's actions and mindset. For example, Old Testament believers were filled (πίμπλημι) by the Spirit to perform specific tasks, as with Elizabeth in Luke 1:41. Similarly, rage filled individuals' minds in Luke 6:11. During Pentecost, the disciples were controlled by the Spirit (πίμπλημι), enabling them to speak in various dialects to communicate God's wonders (Acts 2:4). However, this was not the same as the New Testament filling described in Ephesians 5:18, where believers are filled (πληρόω) to exhibit the character of Christ.
The Transition of the Church
The Pentecost event fulfilled Christ's promise of the coming Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and marked the transition into the dispensation of grace. Believing Jews were given the authority to become children of God (John 1:12). Signs and miracles during this period demonstrated God's work, but as Israel rejected the resurrected Messiah, these signs, including speaking in tongues, ceased. The final instance of Holy Spirit control (πίμπλημι) in Scripture occurred with Paul in Acts 13:8–9. Today, the Holy Spirit fills believers where they are lacking, enabling them to manifest Christ's character and the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
The Jews Witness the Holy Spirit’s Power (Acts 2:5-13)
Devout Jews and proselytes in Jerusalem for Pentecost were drawn to the sound of the Spirit’s arrival (Acts 2:5-6). They were astonished to hear the disciples, Galileans by birth, speaking in their native languages (Acts 2:7-11). These Jews heard the disciples declaring the wonderful works of God in proper accents, which amazed and perplexed them (Acts 2:12). However, some mocked, attributing the event to drunkenness (Acts 2:13).
Peter Declares the Resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:14-36)
Peter addressed the crowd, explaining that the event was a partial fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy concerning the Spirit (Acts 2:16-21). He clarified that the full prophecy would be fulfilled before the Day of the Lord, at Christ's second coming. Peter declared Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation, presenting evidence from Scripture (Acts 2:22-36). He emphasized that Jesus, crucified by lawless hands, was raised by God, as prophesied by David (Acts 2:23-31). Now exalted at the right hand of God, Christ poured out the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). Peter concluded that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ, highlighting His role as the resurrected, glorified One (Acts 2:36).
The arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was sudden, marked by a sound like a mighty rushing wind that filled the whole house where the disciples were gathered (Acts 2:2). Dividing tongues like fire appeared and rested upon each of them, signifying no separation of clergy within the Church (Acts 2:3). This event demonstrated that the Holy Spirit was sent to all believers, not just the apostles. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4). The Greek terms for "filled" provide important insights: πληρόω refers to filling where something is lacking, while πίμπλημι indicates a controlling influence, as seen in Acts 2:2 and 2:4, respectively.
The Filling and Control of the Holy Spirit
Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit's filling often influenced people's actions and mindset. For example, Old Testament believers were filled (πίμπλημι) by the Spirit to perform specific tasks, as with Elizabeth in Luke 1:41. Similarly, rage filled individuals' minds in Luke 6:11. During Pentecost, the disciples were controlled by the Spirit (πίμπλημι), enabling them to speak in various dialects to communicate God's wonders (Acts 2:4). However, this was not the same as the New Testament filling described in Ephesians 5:18, where believers are filled (πληρόω) to exhibit the character of Christ.
The Transition of the Church
The Pentecost event fulfilled Christ's promise of the coming Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and marked the transition into the dispensation of grace. Believing Jews were given the authority to become children of God (John 1:12). Signs and miracles during this period demonstrated God's work, but as Israel rejected the resurrected Messiah, these signs, including speaking in tongues, ceased. The final instance of Holy Spirit control (πίμπλημι) in Scripture occurred with Paul in Acts 13:8–9. Today, the Holy Spirit fills believers where they are lacking, enabling them to manifest Christ's character and the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
The Jews Witness the Holy Spirit’s Power (Acts 2:5-13)
Devout Jews and proselytes in Jerusalem for Pentecost were drawn to the sound of the Spirit’s arrival (Acts 2:5-6). They were astonished to hear the disciples, Galileans by birth, speaking in their native languages (Acts 2:7-11). These Jews heard the disciples declaring the wonderful works of God in proper accents, which amazed and perplexed them (Acts 2:12). However, some mocked, attributing the event to drunkenness (Acts 2:13).
Peter Declares the Resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:14-36)
Peter addressed the crowd, explaining that the event was a partial fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy concerning the Spirit (Acts 2:16-21). He clarified that the full prophecy would be fulfilled before the Day of the Lord, at Christ's second coming. Peter declared Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation, presenting evidence from Scripture (Acts 2:22-36). He emphasized that Jesus, crucified by lawless hands, was raised by God, as prophesied by David (Acts 2:23-31). Now exalted at the right hand of God, Christ poured out the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). Peter concluded that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ, highlighting His role as the resurrected, glorified One (Acts 2:36).