The outpouring of God’s Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 is a watershed moment in history. 

Just as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ brought an end to (fulfillment of) the Law, the upper room outpouring of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of the Church, and a new dispensation in history – the “Last Days.”

The gates of hell cannot prevail against the Spirit-filled church! As the Founder and Builder of the Church, Jesus declared: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses to Me in all the earth!”

No sincere believe would disagree that Jesus wants His Church to be filled with, led by, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Having said that, varying opinions exist as to what “Spirit-filled” looks like. 

Despite the differences of exegetical conclusions or practical expressions of being filled with the Spirit, there are some truths that Scripture makes clear. 

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a fulfillment of prophecy. 

“But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:16-18, 21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Many passages in the Old Testament point to a time when God’s Spirit would be manifest in miraculous and meaningful ways. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of those prophetic declarations. 

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an endument of power. 

Any honest Christian will acknowledge their ongoing battle with carnality and human frailty. Despite our most earnest desires to honor God and reach the lost, we fall short in our own strength, ability, and wisdom. 

But when we are weak, He is strong! We cannot depend on our own might and power, but we can depend on the power of the Holy Spirit! 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an ongoing and ever-available promise. 

• The indwelling presence and manifest power of the Holy Spirit was not limited to the original apostles. In fact, there were 120 people in the upper room (most of whom were not apostles) who ALL received the overflow of God’s Spirit in Acts 2. 
• The indwelling presence and manifest power of the Holy Spirit was not limited to the one particular group of people. The manifestation of God’s Spirit was to the Jews (Acts 2), but also the Gentiles (Acts 10). This gift is to men and women, young and old, slave and free. 
• The indwelling presence and manifest power of the Holy Spirit was not limited to the early church. On the Day of Pentecost Peter boldly declared: “For the promise is for you and for your  children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Acts 2:39 ESV)

‭‭Pentecost ain’t just for Pentecostals! 

Pentecost marks the birth of the church, the beginning of “the last days,” the fulfillment of prophecies, the release of power, and the promise of Jesus being fulfilled in the life of every believer!