In the New Testament we see how something of this nature took place. It gives us a picture of what could take place if we were to experience a fresh touch from God, or, to say it in more spiritual terms, a fresh visitation from God. In Acts Chapter 2 this event is recorded for us. (You are welcome to read this to give you the context.) The disciples of Jesus had been through a very difficult time. Jesus had been dramatically crucified, and their world had been rocked. He then rose from the dead and had ascended back to heaven, and here they were ‘left behind’ to pick up the pieces. They had enjoyed such a wonderful season with the Saviour and had seen many lives changed and many people healed and restored, but they had also seen the dramatic events of the death of Jesus, as well as His resurrection and ascension to heaven. They had been turbulent and confusing times. Confused and fearful they had gathered in a secure location. They did not know what to do next, except wait and see what would happen.
Acts 2:1 ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.’
What happened next is that God intersected the situation and history.
Acts 2:2-4 ‘Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’
This was one of those critical moments when God intercepted human history.
What we know about this experience is as follows:
1. It happened against a backdrop of dramatic events that had taken place.
2. The disciples were fearful and in a form of self-imposed lockdown.
3. It happened suddenly and was unexpected.
4. What they experienced, they had never experienced or heard about before.
5. They battled to describe it. (They used terms like: ‘sounded like’ or ‘what appeared to be’.)
6. They knew one thing: ‘It came from heaven…’ (See verse 2)
7. They experienced a touch from God that left them with a sense that they were ‘filled’. Not empty, fearful and confused, but filled with the Holy Spirit!
8. They did things they had never done before and things that they were unfamiliar with.
Acts 2:4 ‘They began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’
9. They were changed! They went from fearful and confused to bold and determined. People were drawn to these disciples and the people could see the change in them.
10. They broke free of the things that were holding them in isolation, fear and separation.
11. They stepped out into the world with a new perspective and determination.
12. Thousands of lives were touched, and the world would never be the same again.
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