Daily Devotions
Filled with the Holy Spirit
"I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh..."
Text: Acts 2:17
THREE SPECIAL FEASTS
There were three feasts of the LORD that Israel was to keep in Jerusalem. People were urged to make special trips to worship the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem. This plan was designed to keep Israel strongly united in their worship of God.
1. The Passover
2. The Feast of Tabernacles
3. The Feast of Weeks
a) This was also called Pentecost.
b) It is also called The Firstfruits (of the Wheat Harvest).
c) The Day of Firstfruits.
THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST
Pentecost drew many Jews from different parts of the world to Jerusalem. This was an opportune time to reach people with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit of God came upon the newly-formed Church. The Disciples displayed the power of the Spirit of God when they spoke to different people from various nations.
There was some confusion initially as to how this could have occurred. The Apostle Peter rose to the occasion and he gave a powerful word of explanation.
“But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.'”
Acts 2:16-18
1. “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel”
a) Peter cited the prophet Joel.
b) It is amazing to note how Peter was able to speak so authoritatively.
2. “That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh”
a) The Spirit of God had been outpoured.
b) The Disciples were but humble “menservants and maidservants”.
c) They were now enabled by God to minister for Him.
3. Fulfilment of Prophecy
The Apostle Peter was effectively saying that Joel’s prophecy had been fulfilled. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in this mighty way signalled the fact that these were “the last days!”