When the day of Pentecost came, they were
all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:2
Thoughts
the people are united when they were filled with the holy spirit.(v1)
the filling happens suddenly when no one is expecting it. (v2)
one sign of being filled is the speaking of tongues(v4)
it is god's work and not man's effort ( v4)
And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luke 1:41
Thoughts
the filling happened unexpectedly (v41). it happened during a mundane incident - when Mary greetd Elizabeth
the first action after the filling of the holy spirit is speaking (v42)
In this case, it is a word of knowledge
compare this to the above verse. the first speech act after being filled is speaking in tongues.
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with <
strong>one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David[b] have said:
‘ Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’[c]
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were
gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were
assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Thoughts
the filling of the holy spirit happened when the people are united. (v24 and 31)
it happened after prayer (the people raise their voice to god v24
the first act after the filling is again speech. This time they spoke the word of god with boldness.
compare to the previous incidents when they spoke tongues and word of knowledge. see that all these speech are directly from god. it is not the word of man.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of
one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had
all things in common. 33 And with
great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And
great grace was upon them all. 34
Thoughts
Again the stress on unity ( v32)
great power and grace was given in the context of unity
