Ancient Words: Last Days, Receiving the Holy Spirit by Baptism
The book of Acts is accepted as the written account about the acts or actions of the Holy Spirit within the early days of the beginning of the church. Luke records in Acts 1, that Jesus distinguished between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus: On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Act 1:4-5).” Later as the disciples were assembled together we learn: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the
Spirit enabled them (Act 2:1-4). These “tongues” were the actual languages of the world: Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language (Act 2:5-8)?
As Peter preached this first sermon, he opened with a prophecy from Joel about the Holy Spirit: “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy (Act 2:17-18). He then concluded in response to the question from the crowd: When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call (Act 2:37-39).” Those who accepted Peter’s message responded to his warning and to his plea: With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day (Act 2:40-41).
The receiving of the Holy Spirit and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit caused an immediate and an amazing response of selfless actions: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Act 2:42-47).