Primary Scriptures: Acts 2
Story Summary: The book of Acts is often about the work and indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Location: Roman Empire
Time: 30 AD. Death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Pentecost.
No reader of the book of Acts can help from being struck about how much activity is centered around the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to Earth on the day of Pentecost. No other character in the book of Acts is nearly as important as the Holy Spirit, and the early Christians knew it.
In John 14:26, Jesus told his disciples that, after he was gone, the Father would send the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus to teach all things and remind them of things he had said. In other Scriptures, Jesus gave his followers other information about the Holy Spirit to help encourage and inform them.
The arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 is an amazing account. Peter says the event was prophesied by the prophet Joel. At the Tower of Babel, people were forced to have different languages so they could not understand each other, foiling their attempts to be like God. On Pentecost, people were allowed to understand in their own language so they could hear about God.
Throughout the books of Acts, confirmation of belief comes through baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. In most cases, we are not told precisely how that gift of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated, but it was clear that people could tell when it was received.
It is obvious that the Holy Spirit empowered and led the early Church. The Christians regularly consulted and followed the leadings of the Spirit. To them, the Holy Spirit was as real as any of their fellow humans.
Eyewitness Bible Series
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