Something supernatural happened on Pentecost when the fire of the Holy Spirit came upon people. Acts 2:1On the day of Pentecost, all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.[1]
What was significant about the tongues of fire? Examples from Scripture give fire as an example of God working. In Exodus nineteen, God confirmed the Old Testament law with fire from heaven. In Proverbs 17:3, the author uses fire to describe the tests the Lord puts us through. Pentecost was the beginning of the early church, and a person’s tongue often communicated the Good News of Jesus. Romans 10:17So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.[2]
Jesus Would Baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire
When the Holy Spirit came, it set believers’ hearts on fire with the love of Jesus. Romans 5:5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. [3] God transforms us as He fills us with the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit opens our ears to hear God’s voice and makes the word come alive. The Apostle Paul calls the word of God the sword of Spirit in Ephesians six.
God uses the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to His work. Jesus says the Holy Spirit will teach us the truth and help us remember all Christ taught. Through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, our hands can bring blessings, healing, hope, and prayer to those in need. As the Fire descended on the believers on Pentecost, it came upon many believers, symbolizing that God’s presence is available to those who believe in Jesus.
Fire is a Picture of the Holy Spirit
Fire is a fantastic picture the Lord gives us of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is like a fire in many ways, bringing God’s presence, His passion, and purity. Paul tells us through the work of the Holy Spirit that we don’t have to be controlled by our sinful nature. Romans 8:9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.[4]
The Holy Spirit creates a fiery passion in our hearts. In Luke 24:32, after two traveling disciples talk with Jesus after the resurrection, they describe their hearts as burning within us. As a silver or goldsmith uses fire to purge the impurities from precious metals, God uses the Spirit to remove sin from our lives. By God’s grace, the fire of the Spirit refines us.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/pentecost
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.