Chapter two verses one through four : “Pentecost” means 50, referring to the 50th day following the Passover. It was common for Jews of ancient times to travel to Jerusalem from all over the ancient world in order to celebrate Passover and to remain in the area so that they could observe Pentecost before returning home. It is said by Josephus, a famous writer of that age, that the population of the city would swell to three times is normal size during the Passover-Pentecost season. Passover had been celebrated some seven weeks earlier and the people eagerly awaited the coming of the 50th day. On that day the disciples of Jesus were gathered together and were of one spiritual mindset. Suddenly and without warning the Holy Spirit fell on them, appearing upon them as tongues of fire. Recall that John the Baptist said that he baptized in water, but that Jesus would baptize with Holy Spirit and with “fire” (Mat. 3:11). This prophecy came true on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. in Jerusalem in the upper room where they were staying. Accompanying the visible tongues of fire was the sound of “a rushing, mighty wind” which filled not only the room, but the entire house.

The Scriptures note that the disciples were sitting at the time of the arrival of the Holy Spirit. We do not know what they were doing–talking, praying, listening to a speaker, meditating, etc. We were told earlier that when they were together they were in “one accord”–of one mind and purpose. The Holy Spirit not only appeared on their heads as cloven tongues of fire, it “filled” or “baptized” them in/with RIGHTEOUSNESS AND POWER. In Romans 8:10 we are told that “the (Holy) Spirit is (produces eternal) life because of righteousness (that is produced by the believer’s subsequent obedience of God’s Word. In Romans 8:14 we are told that (only) they who are led by the Holy Spirit (that fills them) are sons of God–truly converted. In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said that those who truly hunger and thirst for righteousness will be FILLED with RIGHTEOUSNESS. This takes place when one is FILLED/BAPTIZED with the Holy Spirit. Concerning the righteousness required for sonship (salvation), 1 John 2:29;3:7,10 prove that one cannot be saved at the return of Christ without manifesting Christ-level righteousness during his life: “everyone that does righteousness is born (begotten/converted) of Him;” “everyone that does righteousness is righteous as He (Jesus) is righteous;” “whosoever does not (do) righteousness is not (a child) of God.”

Jesus told His disciples that they would receive POWER when the Holy Spirit came on (baptized/filled) them (Acts 1:8). In Luke 1:35 the angel Gabriel told Mary that the Spirit of God, whom he identified as God’s power, would come upon her. Here the Lord tells us that His Spirit and His power are one in the same. See The Trinity.

On the day of Pentecost, and in other instances, those who were filled/baptized with the Holy Spirit evidenced that phenomenon by speaking in languages they did not know, which, as the following verses attest, drew the attention of the masses in Jerusalem. One will notice that the 3000 that were converted that day and the 5000 converted later did not speak in tongues. One receives the Holy Spirit at the time of TRUE CONVERSION. Receiving the Holy Spirit does not necessarily involve speaking in tongues. I did not speak in unknown languages at the moment of my conversion, though I would later do so. L.J.