The Coming of the Holy
Spirit Acts 1:1
On the Day of Pentecost, the believers were praying
in the upper room. Suddenly they heard a loud noise.It
sounded like a violent storm coming out of heaven.
The sound filled the room, and they saw what looked like fire. Suddenly
it separated and settled on each believer. Instantly, they were filled
with the Holy Spirit and started to
speak in foreign languages. People from the city
heard about this. Among them were Jews from many countries
who spoke different languages. They went to see
what was happening. When they got there, they heard the
apostles speaking in various languages, including
the ones of everyone in the crowd. Some of the people said,
“This is impossible! These men can’t speak our language.
They’re from Galilee. Yet we’re hearing them in our
own tongue.” Others said, “Oh, they’re just drunk.”
Peter stood up in front of them and said, “These men aren’t drunk. This
is what the prophets of old talked about when they said God would pour
out his Spirit upon common people.” “You saw the miracles of Jesus. Still,
you crucified him – nailed him to a cross and put him in the grave.
But we’re witnesses that God raised him from the
dead! He’s alive. He sits at the right hand of the Father.
Now he has sent us his Holy Spirit. This is what
you’re seeing.” “Understand what I’m saying. You crucified Jesus,
but God highly exalted him and made him Lord and
Messiah!” The people said, “What you’re saying is true,
but what can we do?” Peter said, “Repent, and we’ll
baptize you in the name of Jesus. Once you’ve received
forgiveness of your sins, God will fill you with
the Holy Spirit.” That day, the apostles baptized those who received
the message. The number of believers grew to over
3,000 people. They met together often so they could learn from each other
and from the apostles. The apostles did many miracles and wonders, and
the number of believers grew day by day. These believers dedicated themselves
to prayer, sharing meals together, and spending time with
each other.
"DROPPING THE STONE"
“Submit yourselves
therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” —James
4:7
There is a huge rock upon
the Swiss side of the St. Gothard road, about which an old legend is told
by the natives of the neighboring village. The devil was whisking this
enormous stone along very merrily at early dawn of day, when he was met
by a devout old woman, who, being somewhat alarmed, uttered a prayer at
the sight of the unexpected traveller. Such was the power of her prayer
that the demon dropped his burden at once, and there it lays--an indisputable
proof that the devil is no match for old ladies who know how to invoke
the aid of heaven.
The church has sanctioned
many a worse legend than this, for a truthful moral lies upon the surface.
Let interceding believers make the fiend to tremble always by praying without
ceasing.
The weakest saint praying
upon his or her knees, is victorious over all the powers of hell.
"May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow
with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".
Romans 15:13