June 9, 2021 - Acts 2:1-13

A promise is something that people take seriously. A child anxiously waits for the promise that their parent gives for a special treat or time together. Adults look forward to the fulfillment of motivational or stimulus incentives by their employers. Believers, as well, look with anticipation to the Lord for the fulfillment of His promise of power (1:8).

In Acts 2, the followers of Christ have been waiting for the promise Christ made to occur. We noted yesterday that the disciples went back to Jerusalem in accordance to the commands that the Lord had spoken to them (Acts 1:4-5,12). The day of Pentecost had arrived and with it came the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to His followers.

Pentecost was one of the major feasts in the Jewish calendar. It was called the Feast of Firstfruits or Festival of Weeks in the Old Testament. The New Testament refers to the feast as Pentecost since it occurred fifty days after Passover. It was a popular festival as pilgrims made this trip in better weather and it was shorter in length (one day) than other feasts. Since it occurred at the end of the harvest, the Jewish people made an offering of two wheat loaves to celebrate the harvest of wheat in the Temple.

The waiting was completed and the followers were united in heart, location, and prayer when suddenly the Spirit descended upon them. We are not told where or who is all present, just that the promise is suddenly and powerfully fulfilled. The items that may interest us are unimportant as the imperative action of empowerment is accomplished. This gift is delivered by God and affects three senses of the individuals present. The ear hears a sound of wind, eyes see tongues of fire and speech is altered so that all people present hear the praises of God in their own language or dialect.

The question that immediately arises is, “Whatever could this mean?” (v.12) That question continues to be raised as people hear the wonderful works of God. The wind and the fire were beneficial for these followers but the words became the tool God used to draw the gathered unbelievers to Himself! The preparation phase was complete and the power of God was resident and was manifested through these believers.

As believers were given the fulfillment of a promise Christ made to them, He continues to provide that promise to each believer today when each one receives Christ as their personal Savior. At the moment of salvation, a new believer is given the Spirit of God and His power resides in them. May we speak boldly the praises of God to those around us today and demonstrate God’s promise of power!