The Wind of Change

“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.”
Acts 2:2-3 (NIV)

Imagine the scene in the book of Acts:  never was there such a wind of change as that which whipped and blew through Jerusalem’s streets that Sunday morning, with the violent, majestic force of an advancing realm. The Spirit of the ascended one, now descends to a tempest gathered city.

Over and around every home howls this Heaven-sent wind of change, until it finds and fills the one house where expectation and ecstasy meet. The time is fully come and the promise is fulfilled, as tongues of fire appear in the room of meeting, to separate and rest on the head of each member of the fledgling church. No ordinary fire is this, which does not consume to feed its strength, but appears, rather, to impart all its fullness of energy to the one upon whom it alights. No impersonal Spirit is this, who indwells and fills his people with power and glory of the divine.

There is joy unspeakable, as human tongues relate the wonders God has done, from thoughts inspired and in languages unlearned. To the assembled crowd, bewildered and confused, the lead apostle expounds the words of the prophet: “Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” (Acts 2:16-18)

Miraculous words poured forth before this universal gathering. Here were Parthians, Medes, Elamites; pilgrims from Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, from Phrygia and Pamphylia; travellers from Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; Jews and Jewish converts from Rome; Cretans and Arabs. All heard the words of prophecy uttered in the familiar tones of a mother tongue and many were those who witnessed their fulfilment through unfettered eyes.

Pierced hearts that once were stone before the crucified one—now risen and proclaimed “both Lord and Christ”—find utterance in the plaintive cry: “Brothers, what shall we do?” “Repent,” is the apostolic call for a heart-changing response “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” (Acts 2:37-39).

Never was there such a wind of change as that which stirred the inhabitants of David’s ancient city, to herald the coming of the Spirit of promise, whom the Father, the God of all comfort sends; proclaiming to the ancient capital and to all the world, that Jesus, the Saviour of mankind is the “Yes” to all the promises of God (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Prayer
Loving Lord, thank you for the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, through whom we are brought together as one body in Christ Jesus our Lord. Help us to grow as the Spirit empowers us and works in us, as we learn to cease from our own works and rest in your Grace alone by faith.
Amen 

Study by Richard Dempsey

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About the Author:
Richard Dempsey is an Elder in the Peterborough congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Peterborough
Farcet Village Hall
Main Street
Farcet
PETERBOROUGH
PE7 3AN

Meeting Time:
Saturday 2 pm

Local Congregational Contact:
Alan Quinn
Email: quinnsatfarcet@aol.com