Back at this special time in biblical history, there weren't any churches as we know them today. The faithful gathered wherever they could. Sometimes, they would meet in the Temple, but usually in the homes of believers. There they studied the apostles' teachings, fellowshipped together, "broke bread together" (which probably meant they ate together and had communion as well), and they spent a lot of time in prayer. This is found in Acts 2:42.
Because it was a tedious thing to meet in public sometimes, they seemed to love to gather in each other's houses and just be together. There is a peace in such numbers, to be sure.
"And suddenly there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house.." (vs. 2)
We have recently heard with our weather "mighty winds" that sound rather "violent" as it beats against our home and pounds the roof of our house. The window rattle and the house shakes a little. It's an impressive experience. It gets our attention. The problem in this bible story is that the wind is on the inside of the house, not on the outside. People outside the house (out in the street) hear the wind and, quite frankly, think it's a drunken party!
"Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them." (vs. 3)
No one fully knows exactly what this was or how it could possibly happen! But, we do believe it was something wonderfully strange and amazingly bizarre. This is something new. This is something really special.
John the Baptizer would prophesy, "I baptize you with water...He (meaning Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire..." (Mt. 3:11)
Fire has a way of getting one's attention. Fire is something you cannot play around with - you must be careful around it. But, this is no ordinary fire.
It's like the fire of Exodus 3:2 (look it up), a fire that was ablaze but did not consume, does not destroy but rather enlightens!
The wind and the fire all point to something new, a new creation, a new birth.
We call these numbers of different people gathered - now with wind and fire - not just individuals, but rather-the Church! These were people from many nations (see Acts 2:9-11) - from many different places and yet - this day - they become one!
The Church, as we know it today, was born on Pentecost day, fifty days after the resurrection. And Jesus did not leave the disciples and others alone. He gave them the Holy Spirit. From the days of old, God confused their languages at Babel (Genesis 11:9) so that they would cease to attempt to be God; now - with Jesus crucified, resurrected, and ascended, He reconnects the circle of life and hope by giving them back their ancient languages:
"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.' (Acts 2:4)
It wasn't gibberish but rather the language of each family's ancestry:
"And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?" (Acts 2:8)
The Church's basic task is to share what God has first given us. God wants no more confusion. He wants His Story to be told and not just to people of our own kind-but to the world-to every ancestral tribe on the face of the earth!
Let us be filled with the fire of God's Spirit (signifying this by wearing something red this Sunday); let us come and worship this Sunday at 10:45 a.m. (only one service this Sunday) and celebrate with Connor Hall in his affirming his Baptism, and give thanks for this story that everyone can tell.
Let's gather, then, "all in one place" and give the praise of God where it belongs! Then - let us venture out into the world and share this grace filled gift with everyone we meet!
Remember - God loves you and so do we!
Pastor Jim Nipper
