“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).
TEXT — Acts 2:1-4
Message
Aircraft is built for the sky and, therefore, is not at home until it is airborne. Its takeoff is quite fascinating. Here are a few fun facts associated with it. First is the fact that it takes off against (not with) the wind. Again, the typical commercial airplane will normally gather speed (of 240-285 km/h) within 30-35 seconds before a liftoff. In other words, aircrafts take off with great power.
Like the aircraft, Christ’s Church took off powerfully and gloriously. His followers had fully gotten over the panic occasioned by the crucifixion after witnessing the reality of Christ’s resurrection and ascension. They had achieved a sanctified bonding as they stayed and prayed together, waiting for the “promise of the Father”.
Like the resurrection of Christ, the power came on the first day of the week. The divine presence was heralded by “a sudden rushing mighty wind” that filled the house where they were. A benign flame of fire rested upon each of them. They all spoke in other tongues. This was the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire predicted by John the Baptist and promised by Christ. The tongue of fire symbolised the powerful and irresistible influence of the Spirit that would thenceforth attend their ministration.
The Holy Ghost baptism empowered the early Church to confront their world with the gospel and they did exploits. As believers and members of Christ’s Church today, we need the same power to evangelise and affect our world effectively. The promise remains applicable to us today if only we can unite in love and tarry in prayer as they did.
Thought for the day
The power of the Holy Spirit is an indispensable tool for spiritual exploits.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
I’m so glad to read this verse.