The
Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. Through the Holy Spirit, God reveals
His will (John 16:13), helps believers tell others about Jesus, and
helps them live holy lives. The Holy Spirit lives within those who trust
Jesus as Savior and Lord. (John 14:17) Jesus told His disciples that
God would send the Holy Spirit to teach them. (John 14:25-26)
Fifty
days after Passover was another major Jewish festival called Pentecost,
or the Feast of Weeks. (See Ex. 34:22; Num. 28:26-31; Lev. 23:15-21.)
All males had to appear at the temple for Passover, the Feast of Weeks,
and the Feast of the Tabernacle. Once again, Jerusalem would be packed
with Jews from all over the Roman Empire.
The
disciples were gathered together in one place. Suddenly, they heard a
sound like a violent, rushing wind that came from heaven and filled the
entire room. The Holy Spirit filled them and they were able to speak in
foreign languages. They went out into the city and began to preach.
A
crowd of Jews from all over the world was astonished. Weren’t the
disciples Jews from Galilee? How were they able to speak in specific
dialects? (See Acts 2:6-12.) Some people thought the disciples were
drunk. The prophet Joel had prophesied that God would pour out His
Spirit on all people, Peter said, “Then everyone who calls upon the name
of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:14-21).
The
Holy Spirit helped Peter teach about the Messiah: that Jesus is the
Messiah because Jesus was killed, but He is alive! (Acts 2:22-36) The
Holy Spirit convicted the crowd and they asked, “Brothers, what must we
do?” Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus.
(Acts 2:37-38). That day, 3,000 people received salvation!
God
kept His promise to send the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit’s help,
Jesus’ disciples could share the gospel with the entire world. God gives
the Holy Spirit to those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The
Holy Spirit gives us power to do God’s work, and He changes us to be
more like Jesus.
Check
out the activity below and use it during the week to reinforce
learning. Discuss a time when you broke a promise or someone broke a
promise to you. Read Acts 2:1-42. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit
to be with us. We can trust that Jesus will always do what He promises!
He has never broken a promise before and He never will! The Holy Spirit
lives within all who love and trust Jesus and helps us tell others
about God and live a life that pleases Him. The Holy Spirit gives us
power to do God’s work.
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