From Disappointed to Dynamic 2

Hello Everyone,

Acts 2 describes what an appointment with the Holy Spirit can do to the disappointments in our lives … and by studying what happened to, in, and through the disciples … we discover how to go from being — disappointed disciples to dynamic disciples!

This week let’s ask some questions —

First of all What Happened?

Let's read it for ourselves — Acts 2:1-16

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² 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.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” ¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

[Luke describes four dynamics that occurred on the day of Pentecost]:

A.   Dynamic Number One — The disciples heard the sound of a blowing violent wind!

B.   Dynamic Number Two — The disciples saw a mass of fire settle over all them then separate into smaller flames that rested on each of them!

C.   Dynamic Number Three — The disciples were filled (baptized) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in languages they had never studied or learned!

The phrase — "baptized with the Holy Spirit" or "filled with the Holy Spirit" —means to be immersed … overwhelmed … saturated or overflowing!

When the Holy Spirit filled them … they began to praise and proclaim Christ in an unhindered, unrestricted way … without limitations of vocabulary or expression!

D.  Dynamic Number Four — Peter proclaimed Christ and over 3,000 accepted Jesus as Lord of their lives!

It's interesting that the same phrase for 'began to speak' is used of both the disciple's praises and Peter's preaching … and it MEANS — both were Spirit-enabled and spirit-directed!

That's a brief and simple summary of —

What Happened?

Tomorrow we will ask the question Why did these things happen?

Greater things are still to come!

Pastor Phil