Acts 2 – Winds of major change

There were about 120 believers constantly in prayer in the upstairs.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Those present for Pentecost included people from a wide variety of places and ethnic backgrounds.

Crowds emerged and were amazed, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. They heard them declaring the wonders of God in their own tongue!  Others mocked them and said, they had too much wine.

Supernatural events galore:

• Violent wind coming from heaven
• Tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on them
• Holy Spirit given and spoke in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them

Peter addressed the crowd in defense and explains. Peter quotes the prophet Joel:

“And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved. Joel 2:28-32

Peter specifically addressed the men of Israel saying Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited to many miracles, wonders, and signs. Peter said, “This man was handed over to you for God’s plan and set purpose and foreknowledge, with the help of wicked men, put to death on the cross. But God raised him from the death. Christ wasn’t abandoned to the grave and his body would not see decay.”

HE IS ALIVE!!

Peter and the upper room attendees are all witnesses to this fact. Jesus rose from the dead and He is alive! Christ is exalted to the right hand of God. Peter recounts the prophetic words from David about Jesus. David died and was buried and he didn’t ascend to heaven. Psalm 16: 8-11 was talking about Jesus, not David.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

After Peter’s declarations, the people were cut to the heart. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Yea!! 3000 people believed and were baptized, and added to their number that day.

Acts 2: 42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.