October 14: Acts 1-7

Acts Chapter 2 gives an account of the Holy Spirit Coming at Pentecost. If the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire with the sound like the blowing of a violent wind at Pentecost, what did it look like before this? Did it exist? If it did exist before, what was the significance of it manifesting itself in this dramatic way at this time?

The Holy Spirit is mentioned dozens of times in the Old Testament. In fact, the second verse of the Bible (Genesis 1:2) says "...the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." The Holy Spirit was just as much a part of creating the universe as the other two members of the trinity.

David cried out in Psalm 51:11 "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me," implying that he currently had the Holy Spirit with him. Zechariah recorded in Zechariah 4:6 a vision in which an angel said '...Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit' says the Lord Almighty." How could the spirit give this prophet and priest power before it was sent at Pentecost?

The answer I have found is that The Holy Spirit has always existed, but it was restricted in the Old Testament to priests and various selected individuals for special purposes. It was provided for a certain period of time or to give someone strength to perform a certain task. At Pentecost, (10 days after Jesus ascended into heaven) God's spirit was now poured out on all believers. This availability of God's power to everyone, regardless of position or status, fulfilled the prophesy of Joel:

"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." ~Joel 2:28-29

The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a significant turning point in the history of the early church because it gave everyone, young/old, sons/daughters, servants, and everyone regardless of status, equal access to God's power through the Holy Spirit. It also reassured Christ's followers that God was active and living in their world even though his Son was no longer walking the earth as a man. The Holy Spirit gave life to the church and Pentecost is often celebrated as the "Church's birthday".

The Holy Spirit was with the early Christians as they spread the gospel throughout the ancient world, and it is with us today as we spread the Good News to our own friends and neighbors.