Acts 2
The day of Pentecost is the start of the feast of weeks, referred to in Ex 34:22, "And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest." It was when the firstfruits of the crops were brought as a gift to God; everyone had to bring something - not a single man was to appear empty-handed before God.
Today some churches still have the tradition to hold this type of feast where the people bring thanksgiving gifts to God. A little boy was present at one of these offerings, and when the others brought their thanksgiving gifts, he realised that he had nothing to give to Jesus. Suddenly he got a bright idea, rushed to the front and got into the gifts basket, saying, "Lord Jesus, I haven't got anything; but I give myself to you". This is a sermon to each one of us.
When the Holy Spirit was poured out at the beginning of the feast of weeks, a rich harvest of souls were brought in. When the Holy Spirit comes there is a harvest of souls being brought into the Kingdom of God; it cannot be otherwise - if the Holy Spirit is poured out and souls aren't saved, it is a foreign spirit.
Many marvels and miracles took place at Pentecost. God's fire was upon the disciples and in them. Such a thing should make us marvel greatly as those people did. These were not the tongues of angels we read of 1Cor 13. The disciples were not envious of one another because they were given different gifts and languages, but each spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance. The people saw tongues of fire upon each disciple, without their hair burning. This is the same fire which caught Moses' attention at the burning bush, which wasn't consumed. When he drew closer, he met with God; when these people drew near, they met with God too.
God the Holy Spirit works as He chooses. People have the tendency to try and copy God's Sovereign working, but that is not good. You should rather be very attentive to His speaking and working, and adhere to His Word in the Bible, lest you quench His Spirit.
The disciples did not shut Him out, but welcomed Him to work as He wills. They were in an attitude of complete surrender to God, and God could work through them.
They were not talking about the fashion or how to flirt successfully but they spoke of God's mighty works. These men were led by God's Spirit and not by their own lusts, Rom 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
Have you experienced Pentecost? If you still do what you like, you are an idol-worshipper.
However, those who have experienced Pentecost, have God's commandments written in their hearts, Ez 36:26, 27, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." What a blessed day for those who have experienced Pentecost, where God wrote His laws into the heart!
There are many who claim to have experienced Pentecost, but they do not live accordingly. In 1Cor 13 we read of such people. They might bluff many people by their empty show, but God knows the truth. They do not have God's love as a living principle abiding in them, and their life is not a blessing.
God promises to give His Spirit to those who obey Him. Those who have God's love abiding in them, gladly do His commandments; they love to do His will and obey His commandments (1John 5:2,3).
It's amazing when the Lord takes control of a person - whether a child or an adult; it becomes evident that that person is led by the Spirit of God.
Let each one examines him- or herself whether they've truly experienced Pentecost. Jesus said that those who obey His words and do them are blessed.
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Erlo Stegen (1935 - Present)
Used of God in the Zulu revival in South Africa. He helped found the Kwasizabantu Mission where a few thousand live on the mission doing work for the Lord. He shares a powerful burden for the purity of the Church and revival in the Church.Many ministers have preached in their large conventions through the years namely David Wilkerson who enjoyed greatly the mission's work. They have established over 30 other missions around the work as a work of the Spirit of God.