[Acts: Inspiration For Transformation Series] God Of GlorySample

Filled With the Spirit

Eliezer Bonilla

An unlikely cast of characters, 120 in all. These ordinary men and women gathered and waited patiently for something that had been promised to them. They knew neither the “what” nor the “how,” but they waited. There’s something to be said about waiting. Those who waited patiently that day were rewarded richly in that they were equipped, empowered, and emboldened when the promise of their Lord was fulfilled. They were filled with the Holy Spirit.

The supernatural experience moved quickly to its divine intent. People needed to hear of God’s wonders. Those who listened were amazed at how clear and intelligible the message was. It was being spoken in their native languages! The church proclaiming the good news to everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, is a true mark of the presence of the Holy Spirit. People need to know of a God who transcends time and space, yet is willing to come and abide in those who are patiently waiting to be used by him.

Peter’s great first message under this new empowerment was a sign of things to come. The Holy Spirit was sent to testify about Jesus. Peter relayed the Spirit’s message, and a multitude turned their hearts to Jesus. The promise of Jesus was fulfilled, and many people were added to God’s kingdom.

As the church grew, Christians began to live out the gospel in their community. Their unity, generosity, and selflessness became their identity. Society was impacted. People were amazed by these first believers, and many even grew to admire them. The Holy Spirit’s indwelling in the believers created a public display of unity so powerful that observers could not help but marvel at what God was doing with simple, ordinary people who were fused together by the power of God’s Spirit.

Respond:

The Holy Spirit is still empowering us, the church, to tell others about Jesus almost 2,000 years after the day of Pentecost. The longing of the multitude of Acts 2 is now the longing of the multitudes of the 21st century. “What must we do?” was the question of the hearers of Peter’s message. Like Peter, you and I must provide an answer: “Turn your hearts to Jesus.” God continues to surprise the world by enabling ordinary people to tell others about His wonders, while spreading His love to the ends of the earth, through the power of the Holy Spirit.