When the Day of Pentecost Arrived

October 7, 2018 | Jonathan Briehl | Acts 2:1-4

Scripture References

Acts 2:1

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

Acts 1:3-5

He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Mark 1:7-8

“After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit”

Acts 1:8-9

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

Acts 2:2-3

And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

Exodus 3:2-4

And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Exodus 13:21–22

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Additional verses referencing fire as a symbol of God’s presence.

  • “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:24);
  • as an instrument of God’s judgement (Numbers 11:1, 3; 2 Kings 1:10, 12);
  • of His power (1 Kings 18:38).

Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 5:3-4

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

1 Corinthians 11:12

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Scriptures are filled with truths about the character of the Holy Spirit:

  • He is all-powerful (Zechariah 4:6);
  • He is present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-8);
  • He is all-knowing (1 Corinthians 2:10b);
  • He is indwelled in us (John 14:16-17);
  • He convicts us of sin (John 16:8);
  • He teaches us (John 14:26);
  • He intercedes for us in our prayers (Romans 8:26-27);
  • He bears fruit through us (Galatians 5:22-23);
  • He equips us (1 Corinthians 12:4-7);
  • and He empowers us (Acts 1:8).

Romans 8:9

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

1 Corinthians 12:13

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.