"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart ..." (Acts 2:46)
In Acts, chapter 2, we see the events that transpired at the tower of Babel in the Old Testament (wherein confusion of man’s tongue into various languages was introduced) now reversed. Even though the scenario reversal was only temporary, God used language to purposely retarded man’s purpose.
You will recall that man’s agenda, at the tower of Babel, was to build a tower that reached high into the Heavens. The fallen angels were homesick and their entrance visa into heaven had been cancelled because of their collective terrorist activities and destruction. As a consequence, the most that they could do was to hopefully peer into the Heavens. But God would not allow that to happen, as stated in the Old Testament scriptures.
In the New Testament, however, the multitudes that gathered together at Jerusalem, according to Acts 2, were able to witness God's spin on the tower of Babel. Indeed, something strange to their eyes and ears occurred, one that was possibly as equally strange as the previous Babel event. That is, men who had previously been conversing with one another in normal everyday language suddenly entered into a state of total confusion.
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)
In the midst, observers looking on thought they had possibly lost it, and may have even been drunk. As the scriptures record, "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" (Acts 2:5-8)
These included men from Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians.
In Acts, chapter 2, we see the events that transpired at the tower of Babel in the Old Testament (wherein confusion of man’s tongue into various languages was introduced) now reversed. Even though the scenario reversal was only temporary, God used language to purposely retarded man’s purpose.
You will recall that man’s agenda, at the tower of Babel, was to build a tower that reached high into the Heavens. The fallen angels were homesick and their entrance visa into heaven had been cancelled because of their collective terrorist activities and destruction. As a consequence, the most that they could do was to hopefully peer into the Heavens. But God would not allow that to happen, as stated in the Old Testament scriptures.
In the New Testament, however, the multitudes that gathered together at Jerusalem, according to Acts 2, were able to witness God's spin on the tower of Babel. Indeed, something strange to their eyes and ears occurred, one that was possibly as equally strange as the previous Babel event. That is, men who had previously been conversing with one another in normal everyday language suddenly entered into a state of total confusion.
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)
In the midst, observers looking on thought they had possibly lost it, and may have even been drunk. As the scriptures record, "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" (Acts 2:5-8)
These included men from Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians.
What these observers heard was them speaking "in our tongues the wonderful works of God." And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, "What meaneth this?" Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine." But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, "Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: for these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:
"And it shall come to pass in the last days," saith God, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:5-21)
But the good news gospel message does not end there. I Corinthians 12, for example, effectively links the correlation and purpose together. Here, Peter standing with the eleven apostles noted that the Lord had given to Peter (and the others) the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Also note that it was Peter who preached God’s reconciliatory words of truth to this initially Jewish audience, and then later in Acts 10, presented the same reconciliatory gospel to the Gentiles. It is this preaching of the gospel that opens the door to Heaven thereby allowing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus the Christ to shine into individual’s believing hearts.
It is at this point that we are introduced to the first message preached by the Spirit of God through the mouths of His newborn adopted sons and daughters. Recall that Jesus, after He ascended on high still, through the Holy Ghost directed His apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) God was still in charge. God's plan of salvation was still unfolding. Acts chapter 2:14-36 expands upon this message, providing further detail into the events that had transpired. This might be a good time to refresh yourself in these scriptures before proceeding.
Indeed, the scriptures state, “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has declared that this same Jesus, whom you crucified, is both Lord and the Christ “ In the next scripture, "The people, hearing this holy Spirit -- Holy Ghost -- delivery and confirmation of these aforementioned things were pricked in their heart." Asking Peter and the other apostles, the people "What shall we do?" It is obvious that these people were between a rock and a hard place.
Heaven presented this first message, a message that was delivered personally by the administrator of the new covenant. This New Covenant, in case you wondered, is none other than the Spirit of Jesus, who had said prophetically through Joel the prophet, that God would pour out His spirit upon all flesh. But that is not all. This pouring out of His Spirit upon all flesh would cause your sons and your daughters to prophesy as well.
Perhaps, at this point, each one of us should take some time to meditate on this holy Spirit message, remembering that as God said in Acts 15, He would build again the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, replacing the formerly destroyed temple with living stones. Undoubtedly, as revealed here, God is building a triumphant building. Not a building made with brick and mortar.
This is the temple in which His Spirit is pleased to dwell. Peace to all in Jesus.
Stand in the offering plate.
But the good news gospel message does not end there. I Corinthians 12, for example, effectively links the correlation and purpose together. Here, Peter standing with the eleven apostles noted that the Lord had given to Peter (and the others) the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Also note that it was Peter who preached God’s reconciliatory words of truth to this initially Jewish audience, and then later in Acts 10, presented the same reconciliatory gospel to the Gentiles. It is this preaching of the gospel that opens the door to Heaven thereby allowing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus the Christ to shine into individual’s believing hearts.
It is at this point that we are introduced to the first message preached by the Spirit of God through the mouths of His newborn adopted sons and daughters. Recall that Jesus, after He ascended on high still, through the Holy Ghost directed His apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) God was still in charge. God's plan of salvation was still unfolding. Acts chapter 2:14-36 expands upon this message, providing further detail into the events that had transpired. This might be a good time to refresh yourself in these scriptures before proceeding.
Indeed, the scriptures state, “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has declared that this same Jesus, whom you crucified, is both Lord and the Christ “ In the next scripture, "The people, hearing this holy Spirit -- Holy Ghost -- delivery and confirmation of these aforementioned things were pricked in their heart." Asking Peter and the other apostles, the people "What shall we do?" It is obvious that these people were between a rock and a hard place.
Heaven presented this first message, a message that was delivered personally by the administrator of the new covenant. This New Covenant, in case you wondered, is none other than the Spirit of Jesus, who had said prophetically through Joel the prophet, that God would pour out His spirit upon all flesh. But that is not all. This pouring out of His Spirit upon all flesh would cause your sons and your daughters to prophesy as well.
Perhaps, at this point, each one of us should take some time to meditate on this holy Spirit message, remembering that as God said in Acts 15, He would build again the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, replacing the formerly destroyed temple with living stones. Undoubtedly, as revealed here, God is building a triumphant building. Not a building made with brick and mortar.
This is the temple in which His Spirit is pleased to dwell. Peace to all in Jesus.
Stand in the offering plate.
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