Acts 2:2-3 (ESV)
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
Imagine gathering in a room together with firm believers whose desire is to wait on God! God never expects his church to be perfect, but he expects his church to be united. He issued his promises. All the people needed were faith and faithfulness. It makes me wonder every single time when I read this portion what was the stimulant that stirred up such an atmosphere?
It must have been a slow uneventful stretch of days but the disciples kept their vigil. Their desire and expectancy must be extremely earnest as they welcomed Pentecost. But what were they expecting?
It sure was obvious that they were not prepared for the “suddenly”. God’s ways of doing things are just way beyond us no matter how we attempt to prepare ourselves. Living in Christ is acutely adventurous and dangerous in human terms. God is never confined in the safe box nor is he appeased with the status quo. He did say to them to expect the “power on high”.
Sure enough, the surging power in the upper room ignited the human senses in such an incredible manner. The wind rushed in ferociously and permeated the entire space. Wind is always a powerful unseen source but the effects it churn when it comes forcefully is unstoppable. The Holy Spirit is Wind – or pneuma (πνεῦμα) is an ancient Greek word for “breath”. In the religious context pneuma refers to “spirit” or “soul”. In Hebrew, it is known as ruach. That mighty rushing wind on the day must surely be monumentally loud and aroused an unbelievable sight and feeling.
Fire, another symbol of unstoppable power was manifested along with this mighty wind. The bible said they saw “tongues of fire”. Hebrews 12:29 describes God as “consuming fire”. Deuteronomy 4:24 declares, “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”
These two unstoppable powers – wind and fire which invaded the upper room then was a double emphasis of God’s holy presence. An evidence of his unequivocal manifestation! He came as the promised Holy Spirit. The people were touched and broke out into various languages. That Pentecost birthed forth the Christian Church which God has commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations. Thus you will hear people talk about the Pentecostal anointing. This term is linked back to the Pentecost in Acts 2.
The surging power striked in sound and sight, and spew forth spoken tongues supernaturally. This is the reward of being in the power room. It is the very presence of God, his promised Holy Spirit – the power from on high.
Are we ready for such manifestations?
If not, why?
What would you say are your expectations of the supernatural?
Have human ideologies supersede the divine?
How have you bound God in the ways he could act?
Acts 2 is very essential and crucial for us in our coming days – to believe that God can do anything, anytime, anywhere, anyhow! He is unstoppable!
Pray. Decree his surging power.
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 9 May 2020