Prophets, Visionaries and DreamersShembull

This is just the beginning

In Acts 2, we can read the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us that all the believers were gathered together in one place when a strong wind filled the house where they were. At that moment, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.

Seeing this, some Jews who were in the crowd mocked and accused those who were filled with the Holy Spirit of being drunk.

Can you think of a similar example today?

Many times, we scoff when God does something cool or uses those who are considered "less likely people" simply because what God does doesn't fit our theology or way of thinking.

Observing that some Jews were mocking what was happening, Peter responds to the accusation with a passage in Joel 2:28-32, which refers to the prophecy of the outpouring of God's Spirit.

"In the last days," says God, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

Your young men will have visions,

and your elders will have dreams.

In those days I will pour out my Spirit

even upon my servants-men and women alike-

and they will prophesy."

Acts 2:17-18

This was the first gospel preaching since Jesus left earth and ascended to heaven. In the book of Joel, the verses pointed to the Messiah who was to come; however, in Acts, the verses revealed the Messiah who had already come.

On that day of Pentecost, we see the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy.

Why the beginning?

Because on that day the Holy Spirit had been poured out on one hundred and twenty people in an upper room, but Joel had said that it would be poured out on all flesh: men, women, elders, young men and children.

From that moment on, we can read in the book of Acts how time after time the Holy Spirit fills imperfect and less likely people.

Today we have visions, dreams, prophesy and live with hope for our future because Jesus fulfilled his purpose for us to enter ours.

And this is just the beginning!

Prayer: Jesus, I thank you that through your sacrifice I can walk into my purpose. I ask that you continue to pour out your Holy Spirit upon your church and that I may be a partaker of what you want to do on this earth. Amen.