(Acts 2:1-4, 41-47)

Jesus Christ had selected and organized a group to spread the Gospel throughout the world. He had promised to send the Holy Spirit, the counselor, to be with them and guide them. After the ascension of Jesus, according His direction, about one hundred and twenty people, including the eleven disciples and St. Mary had been praying together in the hall of Mark in Jerusalem. They selected Mathias in the place of Judas who had betrayed his master.

When the day of the Pentecost had come they were all together in one place. It was on a Sunday the tenth day after the ascension of Christ. Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. They were filled with Holy Spirit and they began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them (utterance).

Those who had come from various countries for the Pentecost festival in Jerusalem temple, heard this sound and came together. They were wondered sand said, "We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty words of God." Some of them were amazed. Some mocked at the disciples saying that they were filled with new wine.

Peter who saw the different attitudes of the people explained what happened (Acts 2:14-36). Peter declared that Christ who was crucified, rose from the dead and ascended. He having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, has poured out Him as they saw and heard. The people who heard this asked Peter what they should do. He asked them to repent and get baptized. About three thousand people repented, got baptized and joined them.

What happened on the day of Pentecost was the coming of the Holy Spirit into the church. The strong wind, the sound, tongues of fire and speaking in tongues were its signs. The result was wonderful (1) The small group of believers became powerful (2) Peter who was a coward became bold and witnessed Christ (3) It led to the conversion of three thousand people (4) A new group and a new social order resulted out of it.

We are weak but we become strong only when the Holy Spirit gives us strength. When we are with Jesus, He strengthens us through the Holy Spirit.

Memorization: Romans 8:9

"But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit if the Spirit of God really dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him."

Questions:

1. Describe how the early church got strengthened.
2. What were the signs of the Holy Spirit on the Pentecost day?
3. What were the results of the coming of the Holy Spirit?