Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
The “fire” spoken of in this Verse of Scripture is the Holy Spirit. As we discussed yesterday, the Word of God depicts the Holy Spirit through several symbols and fire is one such symbol.
The last phrase of this Verse is important and will be the topic of our discussion today. Many people and whole denominations believe that all the Gifts of the Spirit and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit were only intended for the Apostles and when the last Apostle died, all that came to an end. How foolish is that? That is absolutely ridiculous.
We do not know exactly how many people were with the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost but the Scriptures indicate that it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 120. In other places where the number of people is written about only the men were counted.
An example of this would be when Jesus fed the 5,000 on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:21) The men numbered about 5,000 but we have no idea how many women and children were there as well. Therefore, we don’t really know how many people Jesus fed with five loaves of bread and two fish. Some theologians believe the number could have been as many as 15,000.
My point is, that we don’t really know how many people were there together on the Day of Pentecost either. We do know that there were women among them as well as some other people including Jesus’ brothers. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14)
Exactly where they were and how many were present is not the issue. The important thing is that when the Holy Spirit appeared the Scriptures say, and it sat upon each of them. (Acts 2:3) That means ALL of them; not just the Apostles and not just the men. All means all. Every believer who was there that day got baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Denominations that believe and teach otherwise are false teachers and should be avoided. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound Words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the Truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Timothy 6:3-5)
I encourage you to read the Bible for yourself and seek Understanding and Wisdom directly from the Holy Spirit who is our Teacher, Counselor, Guide, and Helper. He WILL Help you to understand the Word of God and He WILL give you the proper interpretation of the Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit is the Power of God to….…….turn the tide
Thank you Holy Spirit for helping me, Doreen
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