Friendly Bible Study - participants must agree to Nicene Creed.

[Carl Emerson]

I'll share some of my testimony today to meet the protocol for maybe sharing after the new chapter starts.

I'm from the 'high plains' of western Kansas where they say there's a pretty girl behind every tree. I always like to say it took me 22 years to find....a tree....and I married her. But, that another whole God testimony too. Short story is; We were married in November of 1972.

I was born in 1949 and raised a Roman Catholic. I got my girlfriend pregnant at 19 in 1968. 4 months later I divorced her. I was told that "The church's" stance was, if I got a divorce, I couldn't take communion or get remarried again, unless my first wife died....but be sure to keep coming and giving the church my money.....until the day I died. That simply made me feel like I had committed some kind of unpardonable sin and was headed to hell anyway. That made me mad enough to give God 'a finger' (guess). I then swore to Him that if I was going to go to Hell, then I was going to make sure I had a front row seat. And for the next 4 years I say I committed just about every sin but killing a human or bestiality. I got born again during the Jesus Revolution in the summer of '72'. The night I got saved I was selling drugs, drawing unemployment and working in my uncle's bar one night a week for cash...so I wouldn't loose getting the unemployment check.

THE CALL
The night I actually got born again was in 1972. I was selling drugs, drawing unemployment and working one night a week in a bar for cash (to not lose my unemployment $). A girl had come in to the bar earlier that week and invited me to come to her house to; "Hear some Jesus freak (from a town 30 miles away) come and lay a rap on us." The Jesus movement was getting big then and actually had caught my interest because it wasn't 'traditional' and was considered a bit 'rebellious' to 'the church', which fit my shoulder length curls just perfectly. I went to her house 'that night' and knocked on the door. She answered and said my name. I responded; “Well, you invited me!” Which was true, she had, but she never figured I'd show up. Did I mention I had a bit of a 'reputation'? Anyway, she welcomed me in, turned and bumped into a guy. She said; “Oh, Jack...Hey Jack, this is D, D this is Jack, he's the one speaking tonight.” Jack stuck his hand out and said “Hi D, I'm glad to meet you.” I reached back, and when our hands touched I physically felt something thump me on the chest/heart. It shocked me and my alert button was ringing “What the he_ _ck!!!”

SALVATION
He shared his whole testimony that night....period. No altar call etc. I left, got into my 57 Chevy, held the steering wheel a bit, dropped my head and said; “God 'I know you exist', and I can 'know you', and not just 'know about you'. Help me quit smoking cigarettes.” I was born again, and a very carnal Christian. But my life changed that night. For one week I never even had a
desire to smoke a cigarette and I was joyously and excitedly witnessing 'that fact', as well as Jesus, openly to all. Needless to say, I never had to get rid of my bad company friends, which was all I had. They all thought I'd overdosed on Jesus and disappeared. I was alone and never knew what to do next. I knew that what I received that night, through a guy from another town, I'd never received in 19 years of being in the “One, true, holy, Catholic and apostolic church whose roots went all the way back to Peter.” I also figured that if 'THE church' was wrong,how could any of these Johnny come lately churches be right either? So I decided that all the Jesus freaks I was seeing those days, were 'all carrying bibles around'. That was something I'd never even had. So I went shopping and found a paperback copy of the NT. It was in the 'milk toast' Good News for Modern Man translation. Surveying it, I decided it was a pretty fat book to read to I decided to just skip to the last chapter to see how it ended. IOW the first 'book' I ever read was the book of the Revelation. Freaked me out!!! I remember thinking; “GOD is getting ready to dump on this world and I ain't ready!!! I am ready today for the upper-taker or the undertaker whichever comes first for I know I am saved in spirit, am working out the salvation of my soul and await with all for the glorified body that awaits me on the other side of glory.

Welcome Hillsage - great to have you on board.

 

[ScottA]

Acts 2

The first passage of verses 1-4, is the account of what occurred that day in history, as a smaller foreshadowing prophecy of the greater things to come that the smaller, historic account only points to. Which is not to say that first day of Pentecost was not its own fulfillment of Joel's prophecy of God pouring out His spirit upon all flesh. But rather, that because "all flesh" was not then present, it is to be understood as not contradicting Joel's prophecy, but as only being a small portion of what was promised. Indeed, that day marked the time of the greater promise at its beginning.

What was to follow and fulfill the complete promise of God to pour out His spirit upon "all" flesh, was the greater times of the gentiles wherein the Holy Spirit would come especially to each one person who answered Jesus' knock at the door, as it was He who promised to send the Holy Spirit forth, adding, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Rev 3:20). However, as Paul indicated, "Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth" (Eph 4:9)? Which is to say, the greater plan and promise of God was unto "all" even including those of old, even unto the end of time. That is the greater message.

Verses 5-13 also includes a smaller and greater account and message. Which is indicated, not in the word "all" but by saying that by representation it included all "from every nation under heaven." Likewise, the statement "everyone heard them speak in his own language" was the work of the Holy Spirit to spiritually translate, as the means by which Jesus had indicated His church would be built--not by "flesh and blood" (Mat 16:17). But also pointed to the greater context of the gospel of Jesus going out unto every nation and people, unto the ends of the earth, "even to the end of the age" (Mat 28:19-20).

In verses 14-37 Peter then confirms what was then witnessed was according to Joel's prophecy. But then continues to include that it was Jesus, whom Israel had crucified, who had attained the ability to fulfill what God had promised through Joel. Who also fulfilled the prophecy of David, that God would raise up One to take his throne forever and ever.

Fortunately, for Israel, some were "cut to the heart" in repentance. Which, not disregarding the greater context of these passages, would prophetically indicate, that many would reject Christ upon His return, while some would also be "cut to the heart." Jesus as much as said so, repeating the saying, "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mat 8, 13, 22, 24, 25, Luk 13).

Verse 38-40 too has a smaller and greater context, regarding what one should do to be saved. During that smaller context of the men of Israel, they had just missed the passing of the cross event of salvation and being included in "the dead in Christ" of whom Christ was "the Last." This is not the common belief. Nonetheless, it should be clear, and we should know that as Jesus then became "firstfruits" of those born again of the spirit of God, the end had come to those dead, and the beginning of that other fold of the gentiles was of "the living in Christ." "First the natural, and afterward the spiritual" (1 Cor 15:46). These are those of the smaller and greater contexts.

The difference then between the two different groups that Paul indicated were "the dead" and "those made alive", is the dead of Israel who had missed their call with Christ on the cross and rising from the dead with Him, would need to back up and do according to what was previously done, in order to catch up (1 Cor 15:22). Peter basically acted upon the promise of Christ to bring "all these things" upon that generation, and made an exception on their behalf, that would include the things practiced before, such as water baptism, no longer necessary with the coming of Jesus' baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Peter then confirms, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Which is the dividing line between the two forms of baptism, with the advent of the Holy Spirit. Which is not to say that water baptism is not to be continued as pointing to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but rather that it was and is to continue to be its only purpose, not robbing the Holy Spirit of His righteous exclusivity to fulfill that which is not His, but given to Him by Christ. Again, not a common belief, for many have misunderstood.

Verses 41-47 in conclusion, then summarize the acts of living under one Spirit, whether in the smaller context, or the greater.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Acts 2

The first passage of verses 1-4, is the account of what occurred that day in history, as a smaller foreshadowing prophecy of the greater things to come that the smaller, historic account only points to. Which is not to say that first day of Pentecost was not its own fulfillment of Joel's prophecy of God pouring out His spirit upon all flesh. But rather, that because "all flesh" was not then present, it is to be understood as not contradicting Joel's prophecy, but as only being a small portion of what was promised. Indeed, that day marked the time of the greater promise at its beginning.

What was to follow and fulfill the complete promise of God to pour out His spirit upon "all" flesh, was the greater times of the gentiles wherein the Holy Spirit would come especially to each one person who answered Jesus' knock at the door, as it was He who promised to send the Holy Spirit forth, adding, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Rev 3:20). However, as Paul indicated, "Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth" (Eph 4:9)? Which is to say, the greater plan and promise of God was unto "all" even including those of old, even unto the end of time. That is the greater message.

Verses 5-13 also includes a smaller and greater account and message. Which is indicated, not in the word "all" but by saying that by representation it included all "from every nation under heaven." Likewise, the statement "everyone heard them speak in his own language" was the work of the Holy Spirit to spiritually translate, as the means by which Jesus had indicated His church would be built--not by "flesh and blood" (Mat 16:17). But also pointed to the greater context of the gospel of Jesus going out unto every nation and people, unto the ends of the earth, "even to the end of the age" (Mat 28:19-20).

In verses 14-37 Peter then confirms what was then witnessed was according to Joel's prophecy. But then continues to include that it was Jesus, whom Israel had crucified, who had attained the ability to fulfill what God had promised through Joel. Who also fulfilled the prophecy of David, that God would raise up One to take his throne forever and ever.

Fortunately, for Israel, some were "cut to the heart" in repentance. Which, not disregarding the greater context of these passages, would prophetically indicate, that many would reject Christ upon His return, while some would also be "cut to the heart." Jesus as much as said so, repeating the saying, "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mat 8, 13, 22, 24, 25, Luk 13).

Verse 38-40 too has a smaller and greater context, regarding what one should do to be saved. During that smaller context of the men of Israel, they had just missed the passing of the cross event of salvation and being included in "the dead in Christ" of whom Christ was "the Last." This is not the common belief. Nonetheless, it should be clear, and we should know that as Jesus then became "firstfruits" of those born again of the spirit of God, the end had come to those dead, and the beginning of that other fold of the gentiles was of "the living in Christ." "First the natural, and afterward the spiritual" (1 Cor 15:46). These are those of the smaller and greater contexts.

The difference then between the two different groups that Paul indicated were "the dead" and "those made alive", is the dead of Israel who had missed their call with Christ on the cross and rising from the dead with Him, would need to back up and do according to what was previously done, in order to catch up (1 Cor 15:22). Peter basically acted upon the promise of Christ to bring "all these things" upon that generation, and made an exception on their behalf, that would include the things practiced before, such as water baptism, no longer necessary with the coming of Jesus' baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Peter then confirms, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Which is the dividing line between the two forms of baptism, with the advent of the Holy Spirit. Which is not to say that water baptism is not to be continued as pointing to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but rather that it was and is to continue to be its only purpose, not robbing the Holy Spirit of His righteous exclusivity to fulfill that which is not His, but given to Him by Christ. Again, not a common belief, for many have misunderstood.

Verses 41-47 in conclusion, then summarize the acts of living under one Spirit, whether in the smaller context, or the greater.

Whoops, maybe you missed my post #422 in which I said "It might be better to bring your good and interesting offering a little later in the piece when folks have had a chance to ponder for themselves."

It is just that some folk will shrink back and not participate if the study becomes too intellectual, yet thier offering could be critical.

So can you wait until a few have participated before posting please. :)

 

[Hillsage]

I will just be up front and say that I will unpack my opinion from my Charismatic or Pentecostal experience.

ACT 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

I am of the persuasion that 'the day of Pentecost was fully come', when the Holy Spirit's time of manifestation was initiated. And that happened at the "one place" where all go to fulfill 'the feast' , which is in the 'house of GOD or 'The Temple or The NT Church.

1TI 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

ACT 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound/echos from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind/pnoe, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Read the below definitions and then apply 'that understanding' to the verse above.

"sound" = 2279 echos: a loud or confused noise ("echo"), i.e. roar; fig a rumor
"wind" = 4157 pnoe: respiration, a breeze

So, does 'wind' meet the above echos definition of the "sound" that was first HEARD...."a loud confused noise"? I don't think 'that noise' sounded like a breeze or someone breathing/respiration. But that "sound" CAME like an invisible breeze

So what "sound" in verse :2 actually filled 'the HOUSE of God'...or should I say 'THE Church' (1Tim 3:15)?

Thoughts?

 

[Carl Emerson]

OK folks, here is my intro to Acts 2...

Firstly, Jews from far and wide were gathered to celebrate the Feast of Weeks, one of three pilgrimages to Jerusalem.

This feast was to remember the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai.

It was also a joyous time for thanking God for the Harvest.

God's timing for this miraculous event was significantly when most known languages were gathered, and would witness what in some ways was God's response to Babel when all languages were created to confuse human attempts to bring together a false unity of deception.

In this sense the gift of tongues was a sign confirming God's Son, Truth, and a New Covenant.

Then there is the tongues if fire.

Remember that John the Baptist was told to recognise Messiah as being the one on whom the Spirit would come and remain upon. I think this is vitally important to understand. First He was given the ability to see what was happening in the spiritual realm.
Second he would see the Spirit would usually come on those receiving repentance baptism as a blessing in response to obedience and then leave.

Check out Luke 3:16-22

Also note that the Spirit came in human form, not in dove form, but softly alighting like a dove. This is a further confirmation that the Spirit is a person.

Also note that in verse Luke 3:16 John stated that Jesus would baptise in the Holy Spirit, in fact He passed on what He had received from above at His baptism - the permanent anointing for ministry in response to repentance.

Personally I see the Baptism in the Spirit then is essentially a response from on high to repentance which should always be a foundational aspect of ministry.

You will note that in James 5:17 we are said to have the same nature as Elijah.

You will also note John the Baptist is directly associated with the Spirit of Elijah.

But we know that John the Baptist never did a sign like Elijah did. What then is the commonalty between us, JB and Elijah ??? --- - The call to repentance.

Luke 1:17
And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

See then the difference between Babel and Pentecost - Babel = pride. Pentecost = humility and repentance.

Not surprising then in Acts 2:22-39 Peter speaks about repentance in response to witnessing the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

With this foundation of repentance established we see the immediate outcome is a Community of Love and Equality.

This is sadly a very rare phenomena today. We need to repent and return to the first Love that we see here.

Less babble - more repentance and Love.

The Baptism in the Spirit is so often presented as a way of attracting the attention of the unsaved through the manifestation of the sign gifts, but the Community of Love rarely forms through lack of repentance. Yet according to John 17:21 - this community should be a central part of our witness.

Comments greatly appreciated.

 

[marks]

OK folks, here is my intro to Acts 2...

I shall reply with a testimony . . .

In 2nd grade, I attended Release Time Education, where they parked a classroom trailer outside my elementary school. I always remembered the flannel-graphs, Jesus on the cross, the empty tomb, Jesus died for my sins, Jesus is Lord. I had more of a taste in my mid-teens, being taken to Calvary Chapel for a time. But I rejected all of that.

Still, I was searching for what was real. Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Book of the Hopi, the Bahgavad Gita, Edgar Cayce, The Book of Seth, really, anything I could get my hands on. I was leaning into Wicca, thinking we were all gods.

At 19, while traveling, I discovered the I-Ching, a Chinese military divination system. I began to ask questions about what I should do, go north to start a commune there with these folks? To New Mexico to start a commune there with those folks? Go south to OC to visit my family? Then go to NM? Many hours spent pursuing this. The answers were strangely direct, detailed, and alarming. North? No, it will all go bad. NM? Yes, it will turn out OK. To OC? I'll be taken captive by the chief authority, but in two weeks I'll be released, and the greatest good will be accomplished. It would never identify who that “chief authority” was.

The strange thing about this is that I-Ching is not suited for the kinds of questions I was asking. It was for military decisions. Which meant, it should have been able to identify this authority. And shouldn't really have been able to speak towards these other things. But one thing that was extremely clear to me, I was in communication with some kind of unseen entity. That didn't disturb me, I was getting used to things like that.

When I picked up my pack and started hitchhiking again, I knew I had to go to OC, not knowing what I'd find. I was given a ride the rest of the way by a pastor. “I NEVER pick up hitchhikers! But God has special plans for you!” I laughed at him! We'll have a good laugh together one day!

I arrived at my brothers apartment, to find he'd become Christian. My sister already was. She invited me to be baptized with her in a couple of weeks. I declined. When my brother went to work on Monday, I went to his bookshelf. After reading What The World Is Coming To, and, The Late Great Planet Earth, I realized the Bible wasn't like any of the other books I'd read. It truly was the one verifiable holy book that was from outside this creation.

So now I had a huge problem. This meant I had to start obeying Jesus, but I was having too much fun being my own god! I began to wrestle, and realized I had become locked in a spiritual prison of truth, and the only way I could be free would be to submit to that truth.

“Mark, have you thought about my invitation, would you like to come be baptized with me?” NO!!!!! Leave me alone!!!!!!! It was the second time she asked. She was so sweet, and I was terrorized.

But truth is truth, and after two weeks I yielded, I was baptized, I was born again, I was set free, September, 1981. The greatest good had been accomplished.

I've since come to know Someone who sounds suspiciously like whomever it was behind the I-Ching, and I've come to wonder, Did God take over that evil occultic thing, because in fact He did have plans for me? I've come to think so! Can demons tell you what is in your future? I've seen this kind of thing in other circumstances, I don't think they actually can. But it's more about, I've come to know the One Who loves me, and has saved me, and has taught me to know His voice.

Much love!

 

[Carl Emerson]

I shall reply with a testimony . . .

In 2nd grade, I attended Release Time Education, where they parked a classroom trailer outside my elementary school. I always remembered the flannel-graphs, Jesus on the cross, the empty tomb, Jesus died for my sins, Jesus is Lord. I had more of a taste in my mid-teens, being taken to Calvary Chapel for a time. But I rejected all of that.

Still, I was searching for what was real. Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Book of the Hopi, the Bahgavad Gita, Edgar Cayce, The Book of Seth, really, anything I could get my hands on. I was leaning into Wicca, thinking we were all gods.

At 19, while traveling, I discovered the I-Ching, a Chinese military divination system. I began to ask questions about what I should do, go north to start a commune there with these folks? To New Mexico to start a commune there with those folks? Go south to OC to visit my family? Then go to NM? Many hours spent pursuing this. The answers were strangely direct, detailed, and alarming. North? No, it will all go bad. NM? Yes, it will turn out OK. To OC? I'll be taken captive by the chief authority, but in two weeks I'll be released, and the greatest good will be accomplished. It would never identify who that “chief authority” was.

The strange thing about this is that I-Ching is not suited for the kinds of questions I was asking. It was for military decisions. Which meant, it should have been able to identify this authority. And shouldn't really have been able to speak towards these other things. But one thing that was extremely clear to me, I was in communication with some kind of unseen entity. That didn't disturb me, I was getting used to things like that.

When I picked up my pack and started hitchhiking again, I knew I had to go to OC, not knowing what I'd find. I was given a ride the rest of the way by a pastor. “I NEVER pick up hitchhikers! But God has special plans for you!” I laughed at him! We'll have a good laugh together one day!

I arrived at my brothers apartment, to find he'd become Christian. My sister already was. She invited me to be baptized with her in a couple of weeks. I declined. When my brother went to work on Monday, I went to his bookshelf. After reading What The World Is Coming To, and, The Late Great Planet Earth, I realized the Bible wasn't like any of the other books I'd read. It truly was the one verifiable holy book that was from outside this creation.

So now I had a huge problem. This meant I had to start obeying Jesus, but I was having too much fun being my own god! I began to wrestle, and realized I had become locked in a spiritual prison of truth, and the only way I could be free would be to submit to that truth.

“Mark, have you thought about my invitation, would you like to come be baptized with me?” NO!!!!! Leave me alone!!!!!!! It was the second time she asked. She was so sweet, and I was terrorized.

But truth is truth, and after two weeks I yielded, I was baptized, I was born again, I was set free, September, 1981. The greatest good had been accomplished.

I've since come to know Someone who sounds suspiciously like whomever it was behind the I-Ching, and I've come to wonder, Did God take over that evil occultic thing, because in fact He did have plans for me? I've come to think so!

Much love!

Mmmm... Understand and follow all but the last sentence.

Satan disguises as an angel of light. I-Ching is Satanic. Let's put that to one side.

When you yield to Jesus and surrender your life, it gives Him permission to work Godly order in your life and reveal His purposes for you. My sheep hear my voice - no need for any sort of divination which is forbidden in Deut 18.

 

[marks]

Satan disguises as an angel of light. I-Ching is Satanic.

I agree!

My sheep hear my voice

Now that I know His voice . . . and I remember those days . . . well, no matter! I'm not recommending divination.

To me it's like when King Saul had the medium call up Samuel, somehow Samuel actually came, instead of her normal familiars. God has been after me a long time! It was a little more than 2 years earlier, I took a 4X fatal drug overdose. God guarded me then also.

Anyway . . . enough about me!

I don't see that God requires our permission to do His work. He didn't ask me. I wasn't asking Him. But He was on a mission.

Much love!

 

[Carl Emerson]

I don't see that God requires our permission to do His work. He didn't ask me. I wasn't asking Him. But He was on a mission.

Yes and no...

There are multitudes of believers who are afraid of total commitment and surrender - I was one of them.

The lie is that giving up control to Him will result in chaos !!!

 

[ScottA]

I don't see that God requires our permission to do His work. He didn't ask me. I wasn't asking Him. But He was on a mission.

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9​

 

[marks]

Yes and no...

There are multitudes of believers who are afraid of total commitment and surrender - I was one of them.

The lie is that giving up control to Him will result in chaos !!!

I believe that God knows to wait until the time is right. There is much He could say but we cannot bear it now. And there is much He could do but it would subvert us to handle some things too soon.

Sometimes yielding to God does seem to result in chaos, the reality is that we are leaving the chaos of our lives, which feels chaotic at the time. We have to rebalance in the new reality, come to terms with the outcome of our surrender. I don't think it's always what we may expect.

Much love!

 

[ScottA]

I believe that God knows to wait until the time is right. There is much He could say but we cannot bear it now. And there is much He could do but it would subvert us to handle some things too soon.

Sometimes yielding to God does seem to result in chaos, the reality is that we are leaving the chaos of our lives, which feels chaotic at the time. We have to rebalance in the new reality, come to terms with the outcome of our surrender. I don't think it's always what we may expect.

Much love!

How do you see that relating to Acts 2?

 

[marks]

How do you see that relating to Acts 2?

I was just thinking about that!

I've started a few posts, but I'm waiting for the right one.

Much love!

 

[Rita]

Just some thoughts on Acts 2
The overwhelming things for me are the timing and how things unfolded.
The symbolism would have been known from Old Testament times, the flames of fire and the wind - both emphasised The Spirit and presence of God. They believed that the Holy Spirit was inactive and would be restored in the last days ( the last days had begun and this was a sign )
Where they were meant that what was happening was in earshot of others, and therefore noticeable ( witnessed )
The fact that many from all difference regions were in Jerusalem meant that a larger number of people would witness what was happening, the fact that the apostles were unlearned men ( and this was known ) also meant that only a supernatural event could enable them to communicate languages that were needed. In other words, it couldn’t be put down to a human ability.

Other than being obedient to Jesus and remaining in Jerusalem what was happening was of God - it was his pouring out , who spoke in what language ect was not in their control or was not down to any human endeavour to make it happen. Perhaps the only human eliment was having faith to wait as Jesus had told them to.
In none of the sermon did Peter mention hell , he relays ‘ be saved from this corrupt generation ‘ Jesus will pull us out of this world and its ways ……….

 

[marks]

How do you see that relating to Acts 2?

In Acts 2, God took the disciples inability, to be bold, to speak to those who were not able to understand, and overwhelmed their weakness with His ability, just like He told Jeremiah,

Jeremiah 1:12 LITV
Then Jehovah said to me, You have seen well; for I will watch over My Word to perform it.

The disciples yielded themselves to God, and a chaos exploded around them, and from them, but not in them. What is all this noise? I like @VictoryinJesus 's thought, I think it was her, Edit to add . . . she said it wasn't her . . . maybe this rushing wind sound was the sound of a mighty breath. What is happening with these men, we are hearing all our own languages? What does it mean?

Peter in the Spirit, This is what the prophet foretold, and the chaos was to bring calm, and renewal.

In the middle of the storm, we are surrounded by storm, and we have peace.

Initial thoughts . . .

Much love!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

In Acts 2, God took the disciples inability, to be bold, to speak to those who were not able to understand, and overwhelmed their weakness with His ability, just like He told Jeremiah,

Jeremiah 1:12 LITV
Then Jehovah said to me, You have seen well; for I will watch over My Word to perform it.

The disciples yielded themselves to God, and a chaos exploded around them, and from them, but not in them. What is all this noise? I like @VictoryinJesus 's thought, I think it was her, maybe this rushing wind sound was the sound of a mighty breath. What is happening with these men, we are hearing all our own languages? What does it mean?

Peter in the Spirit, This is what the prophet foretold, and the chaos was to bring calm, and renewal.

In the middle of the storm, we are surrounded by storm, and we have peace.

Initial thoughts . . .

Much love!

I don’t think it was me . But I like it!

 

[ScottA]

In Acts 2, God took the disciples inability, to be bold, to speak to those who were not able to understand, and overwhelmed their weakness with His ability, just like He told Jeremiah,

Jeremiah 1:12 LITV
Then Jehovah said to me, You have seen well; for I will watch over My Word to perform it.

The disciples yielded themselves to God, and a chaos exploded around them, and from them, but not in them. What is all this noise? I like @VictoryinJesus 's thought, I think it was her, Edit to add . . . she said it wasn't her . . . maybe this rushing wind sound was the sound of a mighty breath. What is happening with these men, we are hearing all our own languages? What does it mean?

Peter in the Spirit, This is what the prophet foretold, and the chaos was to bring calm, and renewal.

In the middle of the storm, we are surrounded by storm, and we have peace.

Initial thoughts . . .

Much love!

That "act"--would you say it is all fulfilling regarding Joel's prophecy and Jesus's sending of the Holy Spirit, or only representational of the overall plan of God to pour out His spirit upon all flesh?

 

[marks]

That "act"--would you say it is all fulfilling regarding Joel's prophecy and Jesus's sending of the Holy Spirit, or only representational of the overall plan of God to pour out His spirit upon all flesh?

I'm not sure your meaning in "representational". I think that was just the beginning. The promise is to you and your children and all who are afar off. I think it culminates here:

Isaiah 59:20-21 KJV
20) And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
21) As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

This was the fire of dedication of the living temple that continues being built. The fire by which God receives the sacrifice, announcing His acceptance of the offering, as He indwells the temple.

Much love!

 

[ScottA]

I'm not sure your meaning in "representational". I think that was just the beginning.

That is just what I meant. That one historic act was not all there is or was, but rather was a small part, even a parable and a small example of the greater plan of God.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Why did God choose to use the confirming sign of His purpose to be tongues ?

He could have had them walk on water, or rain manna from the sky, or any manner of miraculous events, but then the phenomena would be associated with a small jewish sect and their miraculous powers.

But tongues was compelling the hearers from the known world to accept the universality of the message as being for all mankind.