What

Let’s look at what happened on the day of Pentecost. “And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them.” (1) “A violent rushing wind” is mentioned, but it was not an actual wind that blew; rather, it was a sound they heard (felt with the ears, not the skin). In Hebrew, the word for wind is “Ruach,” which is also the word for Spirit. Wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel 37, in the Valley of Dry Bones, the wind also symbolizes the Holy Spirit. (2) It is described as “tongues that looked like fire,” which were not actual flames, but appeared to be so (perceived with the eyes, not the skin). Then it divided and took the shape of tongues, resting on each of the apostles. Fire, too, is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended in a dramatic way, fulfilling Jesus’ promise. (3) Let’s compare Exodus chapters 19-20 with Acts chapter 2: (a) There is a gap of about 1500 years between the two events. (b) Both events involved the Shekinah Glory (ref.  Ex.19:18). (c) The God who descended on Mount Sinai now dwells within the hearts of believers. (d) Both Luke and the apostles were well aware of this comparison. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.” (1) The apostles were given the ability to speak in other languages. The “distributed tongues” symbolize “speech.” In Greek, the word for “tongues” is “glossa,” which can also be translated as “gift of tongues.” (2) These languages were real, grammatically comprehensible languages. This phenomenon was not the Holy Spirit speaking through the apostles, but the Holy Spirit giving the apostles the ability to speak. (3) At this point, the apostles received the power to be witnesses for Christ. On that day, the people who came to worship in Jerusalem witnessed the birth of the Church. (4) Since then, the Holy Spirit dwells within those who believe in Christ. Moreover, those who believe in Christ have been joined to the body of Christ’s Church. This is referred to as the “baptism by the Holy Spirit” (the Spirit baptizing) We too, the moment we believe in Christ, are made members of Christ’s Church by the Holy Spirit. Christ’s Church (universal church) is still under construction. When it is completed, the Church will be caught up to heaven (raptured). Blessed are those who live according to God’s plan.