Holy Spirit, having been conferred upon his disciples in John 20:22, sovereignly poured himself out upon them is releasing the Promise of the Father; the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts. 1:4-5. Acts chapter two, then becomes that historic text documenting the coming of Holy Spirit upon "all flesh" right in the middle of the Jews second required festival. Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection, was the time when Holy Spirit came in fulfillment of Joel's ancient prophecy. The book of Joel in the Old Testament, written about 830 B.C. promised a time when God would "pour out His Spirit on all flesh." The implications were staggering to that culture and in some ways mind boggling to our own.
Prior to this event Holy Spirit was given to individuals in order to preform certain tasks. Kings, Prophets, sometimes Priests and Judges were examples of Holy Spirit coming on people for a certain task and only for a certain time. But now, the Father has fulfilled his ancient promise. Jesus had been crucified for the "sin of the world." Jesus had been raised from the dead on the third day and showed himself alive with many infallible proofs for forth days. Acts 1:3 He had ascended back into the heavens, to the right had of the Father. Acts 1:9-11 Now the stage was set for God's greatest intervention that the world had ever seen. He would begin a New Covenant. He would make himself available to all people, personally.
He would pour out his presence and his power upon everyone who would receive this gracious gift. This historic event would change forever, how God would work with his people.
Peter explained this peculiar event by quoting the ancient text of Joel: (Joel 3:28-29)
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of
My Spirit on all flesh.
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions
and your old men shall dream dreams.
And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit
in those days; and they shall prophesy."
The coming of the Holy Spirit was significant for a number of important reasons:
1. Holy Spirit was God and has now come to live within his people. This was absolutely NEW.
2. Holy Spirit was given to all people. Racial distinctions were overcome. Jews and Gentiles were to be included. Black and white, yellow and red. All flesh meant that God would now come and dwell in everyone regardless of racial distinction. All who would call upon the name of the Lord. Acts. 2:38-39
3. Holy Spirit would come regardless of gender. Sons and Daughters would receive alike. At this time during the first century, the gender distinction was sharp and clear. God now came to live in all genders alike.
4. Holy Spirit would make himself available to both Young and Old. God is no respecter of age. The young may receive as well as the Old. God is passionate about gathering to himself people of all ethnic origins, all genders and all ages.
5. Finally, Holy Spirit comes to everyone, regardless of class distinction or social standing. Even upon slave and free. God was passionate and committed to overcoming every class distinction made by the ideas and traditions of "men."
He would now come and live in "all flesh;" regardless of race or ethic distinction. He would live in all people regardless of gender or age. Class distinctions were of no importance to the God who created the world and who how comes to live in all flesh; the "crown of His creation."
Finally, God would come as Holy Spirit and release His presence in His People and would never leave them. His coming was permanent. Jesus promised, I am with you always. I will never leave you. You are eternally mine.
Maybe you 're exploring this wonderful gift of Holy Spirit. By seeking Him you will surly find Him. By opening your heart and mind to Jesus, Holy Spirit will come and live His Life in and through you. This is the most wonderful gift that God could ever give anyone. He Himself would come and live His Life in us and through us! Gal. 2:20
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