Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Act 2:1-4, NIV

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 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.


The church was established when the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost. When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ disciples became men who preached the Gospel boldly and powerfully. When we are filled with the Spirit, we become believers with power to bear witness to the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

1. The gift that the Father promised (Ac 1:4).
The gift that the Father promised is the baptism in the Holy Spirit. At the Last Supper, Jesus promised to send another Counselor (Jn 14:16-17) who was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is with us to help us until the day we go to heaven (Ro 8:26). When we are baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, He gives us the gifts of the Spirit to expand the kingdom of God and serve the church.

2. The faith that waits (Ac 1:5).
Jesus’ disciples believed in what He promised and waited for the Holy Spirit. In order to receive the Holy Spirit, we must eagerly long for Him to come (Pr 8:17). The Holy Spirit came at a God-appointed time, the Day of Pentecost. We need to wait for the time of the Lord. Waiting is a part of our faith and an indication of mature faith (Ps 40:1). We must have faith in the promise of God and wait for His time to come. We must become His children who experience His promise being fulfilled.

3. The baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ac 1:5).
“The baptism of the Holy Spirit” means being immersed in the Holy Spirit. Just as our whole body is immersed in water when we are baptized, we are immersed in the Holy Spirit to be filled with Him. When the Holy Spirit comes to us, our old selves are burned in fire, and we become new. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came like a violent wind and tongues of fire (Ac 2:2). Like a wind that is invisible but definitely works, the Holy Spirit works and shines light on our way to live a successful life, helping us avoid the snares of the devil. When the Holy Spirit comes to us, He burns the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Isa 4:4) and makes us witnesses for Jesus Christ in all circumstances, so that we may tell the world that Jesus Christ is our Savior. In addition, when the people who were gathered in Mark’s upper room experienced the Holy Spirit who came like wind and fire and were filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in other tongues. Likewise, we will start to speak in other tongues when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is the prayer to God that the Holy Spirit prays together with our spirit (1Co 14:2). Speaking in tongues helps us have deeper communication with God spiritually, because it serves as a tool to offer God deeper prayer and praise (1Co 14:15).

4. The glory of God is revealed (Ac 2:11).
On the Day of Pentecost, people were gathered from different nations. When they heard the disciples speaking in tongues, they understood what they were saying in their own respective languages. The work of the Holy Spirit transcends human conditions and borders. Led by the Holy Spirit, the disciples spoke in other tongues about “the great work of God”. It is the truth of the Gospel that Jesus Christ saves sinners by His grace. Whoever opens his heart and believes in the redemptive grace through the Cross of Jesus will be saved.

I pray that this work of the Holy Spirit will be with all of you, so that you may see, hear, and experience the holy and amazing work of God.