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Saturday 12 May 2018

Acts 2:1-3 - A violent wind

2:1
What we now call Pentecost was the Festival of Weeks (Ex 34:22) and took place fifty days after the Passover, so this is about seven weeks after the crucifixion. By the first century the focus was on the giving of the Law to Moses. The original meaning was the firstfruits of the harvest. Some have seen an intended parallel between Pentecost and the giving of the Law. However, the New Testament does not really draw any such parallel, and the association with harvest would seem much more in line with the mission of the church, the teaching of Jesus and the purpose of Acts. All the disciples were gathered in one place, this would include all one hundred and twenty of them, not just the twelve.

2:2,3

Old Testament symbols associated with the Spirit are wind and fire, and John the Baptist spoke of Jesus baptising with the Spirit and fire. The wind was not just a wind blowing, for it came in and filled the whole house. Luke specifically says it came from heaven. The presence of God was coming into the room. Tongues of fire settled on each person. There was a visible manifestation of the presence of the Spirit. What we can definitely learn from this is the Spirit is not just a doctrine, but is the real presence of God, and when God is present He makes His presence known.

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