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Scripture Reference: Acts 2:1-47

Many times I have thought about what it must have been like to be in the upper room on that Acts chapter two Pentecost day. But very seldom do I consider what it would have been like for the crowd that was made aware of the event and began to come and see what was going on. There were many devout Jews from all nations in Jerusalem at this time (vv.5-6). Given the feast of Pentecost, I believe this was the intentional timing of God to send this Promise. He had a plan in setting up this moment. Many people would be around to witness it.

But as those who were filled with the Holy Spirit on this day began to experience and flow in God's power, the crowd began to form opinions about what they saw. They believed that these early believers (who had tarried faithfully) in the upper room were in fact drunk with wine. Interestingly, many in the world today try to explain away supernatural moves of God in similar manner by trying to explain away the supernatural with whatever natural ideas that come to mind. But as Peter was about to explain, this was not the case. In fact, the crowd was seeing a prophecy being fulfilled right before their eyes.

This is a prophecy fulfilled!

Let's read what Peter said:

Acts 2:13-21 NIV states: “Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

“’In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

So...

This was not a bunch of people who had imbibed on strong drink as some in the crowd perceived. It was a prophecy being fulfilled (Joel 2:28-29). And we see that those who were waiting in the upper room were told to do so by Jesus Himself: (Luke 24:49)

Thus, the next point:

This is what Jesus promised!

If we back up to the Gospel of John we find that Jesus spoke about this future experience when He said this: …If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

John then continues: But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39 NKJV)

Let’s stop and consider what we have just read. John is explaining that Jesus was referring to something that had yet to take place when He spoke it but He knew the Promise would come. It is important to note the word (heart) that is used here. The KJV uses the term (belly). But regardless of the translation word choice, what is meant is significant to our understanding today. This was referring to a specific part of a person. Out of that place (heart, or belly) - the deepest innermost part of us - would flow rivers of living water. Additionally, it is important to note that He spoke this on the last day of the great feast of Tabernacles (John 7:2, John 7:37). So Jesus was making known this truth to all who were there to hear. And rest assured, there was quite a few more than the disciples present.

Later...

We read in John 17:1-5 where Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed: ..."Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." (NIV)

Jesus would endure the cruelty of the cross and give His life freely and rise three days later. And when He rose, before He ascended back to heaven where He is now seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 10:11-14), He spoke of the Promise of the Holy Spirit. And we see this Promise fulfilled in Acts chapter two after those in the upper room waited faithfully as He had commanded them to do (Luke 24:49).

So what did Jesus say in Luke 24:49? He said: "And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (ESV)

We can even go back further to the instance where John the Baptist said: “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11 NIV). John the Baptist who was a forerunner of Christ spoke of this future promise of God's Spirit. He was speaking of Jesus as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.

One major key that these upper room believers had that all believers would be wise to learn is the willingness to tarry and wait on God. Jesus did not tell these believers an exact amount of time to wait there, but He did tell them to wait for the clothing of power. The result of waiting in faith was power from on high. The power of the Spirit that would enable them to fulfill the mission of God on earth. They could not do it within themselves. They needed the Helper (John 14:26).

But here is a third point and trust me, you want to hear this one.

This is for the church today!

This promise is available to all Christians who would reach out in faith and receive. Notice what we are told in Acts 2:22-41 (emphasis on Acts 2:33, 39):

Acts 2:22-41 ESV - “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent 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. 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.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Peter stated that this promise - what the crowd knew as the work of the Holy Spirit happening before their eyes (v.33) was available not only to those in the upper room, but for those listening, their children, and for all who are far off, and everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.

If you are saved through Jesus Christ, then you fall into the category of everyone in this passage. You have been called to live a life set apart to glorify Him. You cannot fully do this unless you are fully surrendered to Him and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The upper room experience was not limited only to this group in Acts chapter two. It was available to all believers then and all believers now. This Gift is available for those who would ask the Father in Faith. In fact, we will close with some words of Jesus found in Luke. He was teaching the disciples about prayer in 11:1-13. Notice in (v.13) He said: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!