The Holy Spirit gives us the faith to believe in Jesus and helps us to do His will that is good and pleasing to God.

 

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2:1-18

 

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and hit filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

 

Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine”.

 

 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

 

‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

 

             

 

LESSON

 

At Jesus’ ascension to heaven, He promised His disciples that God would send His Holy Spirit to empower and support them as He would have if He had remained with them. 

 

The rushing of the wind was a physical sign that the Holy Spirit was descending to the disciples. The flames of fire showed that the Spirit was working on and with the disciples. The immediate effect was to enable the disciples to speak in various languages so the all others that were near could hear them witness about the works of God. Also it empowered Peter to talk to those assembled.

 

For us, the Spirit opens our hearts and minds through the sacraments to hear and believe His Word. In Baptism, God chose us and sanctifies us to make us holy and righteous. Through the Lord’s Supper, God continues to sanctify us and keeps us in true faith. Also the Spirit encourages us to live a godly life and behave in a manner that would be pleasing to Him. These behaviors are called the “Fruits of the Spirit” and include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

 

PRAYER

 

Heavenly Father, send Your Holy Spirit to work through Your Word and

Sacraments to sanctify and keep us in the one true faith. Lead us to a godly life in this sinful world and remind us that through our belief in Your Son we are saved. In the holy name of Jesus, we pray. Amen