Morning Moments

Continued

Final conclusions safely drawn for the Pentecost account of Acts chapter 2 -

There are things that can be proven by the text, things that can safely be assumed by the text, and things that might remain to some a mystery regarding the text IF it were not for the other recorded experiences and the teachings of the Epistles.

To Peter were given the Keys of the Kingdom, but to Paul was given the Mystery concerning the Church.  It is why Peter wrote to the Diaspora (Jews Christians scattered abroad) by the great early persecution, and why Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles wrote at least 13 epistles to either Churches or Church leaders.

One of the first places the "tongues movements" go to prove their point is to Pentecost, which, hopefully we have proven "OFF LIMITS" because the account of Acts 2 has not been duplicated either by the "tongues" NOR the other accompanying events.  It was the INITIAL BIRTH OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, which at Pentecost included only Jews and proselytes.  The "tongues" were not some prayer language, but LANGUAGES which were utterable and understandable by those who heard them speak. BUT we cannot negate the context which tells us in Acts -

(2:37) When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” (38) “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (40) And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!”  

Please read the words I have placed in Bold which clarifies two things, 1) the baptism in the context of what had been preached and prophesied was water baptism, and is consistent with the Great Commission.  It was the outward sign of the inward grace.  It meant for them, as it means for us, their identification in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is the sign and not the means of salvation.

Furthermore, the receiving of the Holy Spirit was based, not merely upon the act of water baptism, but upon their repentance, conversion, and forgiveness of sins for those whom the Lord has called.  The text does not say upon those who have spoken in tongues.  The issue throughout the entire Bible is the matter of SALVATION!  The "calling" is TO Jesus!  The gifting is by the Holy Spirit according to His will.  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, YOU HAVE NOT BEEN BORN OF GOD and if you were BORN OF GOD, it means that you confessed JESUS AS LORD, which is an indication that you surrendered to the LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST and THAT is the same as being FILLED with the Spirit as we shall see later from Paul's letters.

(2:41) So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. (42) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. (43) Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. (44) Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. (45) They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. (46) Every day they devoted themselves ⌊to meeting⌋ together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. 

The message was consistent with the message of Jesus' message, "Repent (change your mind and will), be converted (turn from sin to Christ), be forgiven, AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

The 3,000 the text says were "saved" and added to the Church and DEVOTED themselves to..."the teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers (not tongues).  FEAR (deep reverence) came and THE APOSTLES performed wonders and signs (not everybody).

According to the text, what we see them experiencing is called by Paul The Fruit of the Spirit.  Jesus said, "The tree is known by its fruit".  THAT IS HOW YOU KNOW IF PEOPLE ARE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, not because they say so and not because they speak in tongues (though them might...we shall see).  Because of the UNITY God kept adding to them.

"Okay", say those who claim a Pentecostal experience simply because they speak in tongues, "So you get the Holy Spirit.  It doesn't mean you are filled with the Holy Spirit."  And on and on the arguments go!  It doesn't matter what the text or context says to those who prefer an "experience" to the Word of God.  They will take texts out of context and change them to mean whatever they wish them to mean, but I am seeking HONESTY and OPENNESS with the Word of God, not denying spiritual gifts, but clarifying texts.  It's like those who are always wanting MORE of Jesus when God has already given us ALL in Christ.  It's not more of Him we need, it's more of US He wants.

BLESSINGS!