With revivals happening on campuses around the country and the “Jesus Revolution” movie in theaters, I can’t help but ponder the first revolution of Jesus followers found in Acts. It was the initial outpouring of believers after Jesus’ ascension and stirred up the world to create a movement called “The Way.” After causing a public spectacle, Peter delivered his first sermon and had a call to repentance to which 3,000 people responded.(Acts 2:37-41) So the first Jesus Revolution was documented, yet it would not have been possible if Jesus himself had not been revolutionary. You see, in the Old Testament we had account after account of how the Spirit of the Lord came upon someone to do the supernatural when called. However, in most of those cases we see it did not remain with them. Beside the teaching and sacrifice of Jesus, what made him revolutionary was his promise of what would happen when he returned to his Father.
When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they [disciples] were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each of them. Then they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4
One might read this and think it’s an exciting scene; but if you look at this deeper, what happens here is mind-blowing. First in Exodus 40, when the tent of meeting was finished, the cloud that had been leading the Israelites rushed in and filled the tabernacle. Again in 2 Chronicles 5, when Solomon completed the Temple of the Lord, a cloud blew in and the temple was filled. When you take into account that at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion the curtain of the Most Holy place in the Temple of the Lord was split in two from top to bottom, this presents itself as God’s exit from the temple. Yet Jesus promised, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23) So what happens with the disciples on the day of Pentecost is the indication that his followers are the new Temple of the Lord where the Holy Spirit resides. The same Spirit of the Lord that worked through the people of the Old Testament to do miraculous things is now gifted to Christ followers of all nations.
It is hard to express to a nonbeliever the feeling of the Holy Spirit when it fills you. A paltry comparison would be describing the sun to a blind person. This blessing means the difference between two people reading the same passage, and one gleaning nothing while the other feels the discernment of the Spirit. Many critics tend to say it is a hallucination or a learned response from an indoctrinated mass. Yet we would not have 2,000 years of Jesus Revolutions without the burning of the Holy Spirit among his people. Even the leaders of Jesus’ time had trouble wrapping their heads around this movement.
Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they [the Jewish leaders] heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do to these men.” He goes on to share other examples of prophets rising up proclaiming to be someone of importance, yet when they died their movements did not survive. “So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.”
It seems unfortunate that the Holy Spirit is the least talked about aspect of the Trinity when it is the most prevalent factor in the life of a Christ follower. It is the intercessor in prayer, the comforter in our times of sorrow, and the flame of conviction that burns within ourselves. I know I would not have survived much of my hardships without Him. Yet many treat it as a fringe element that only the super religious give credence to. However, if we are to be a revolutionary people, then let us tap into what makes the body of Christ so revolutionary. I encourage you to be open to the Holy Spirit in your life and live plugged in to your faith.
Author Dellaca Ferraiz Reynolds 