The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament The Holy Spirit was present and active in the creation (Gen. 1:2) “The Spirit of God” “filled” certain men with special abilities (which they did not possess before), in order to be used by God to build His tabernacle (Ex. 31:1-11; 35:30-35). “The Spirit of God” instructed Israel through the prophets (Neh. 9:20, 30; 2 Sam. 23:2; 2 Pet. 1:20-21) Joel prophesied of the Spirit’s power-filled and abundant work in those early days of the church (Joel 2:28-32)

Jesus Promised the Coming of the Holy Spirit The promise was made to the apostles (“you” in Acts 1:4, 5, 8; Luke 24:49; John 14-16). Jesus referenced “the Promise of the Father” (1:4; Luke 24:49). Jesus referenced promises “you have heard from Me” (1:4; John 14:16-17, 25-26; 15:26; 16:7-13). Jesus detailed the manner of the Holy Spirit’s coming (1:5). “You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (1:5; Matt. 3:11). “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come…” (1:8). Jesus detailed the place and time of the Holy Spirit’s coming (1:5-6). Jesus detailed the purpose for the Holy Spirit’s coming on the apostles (1:8).

The Holy Spirit Came with Power, As Promised The Holy Spirit came on the apostles in Acts 2 The grammar of 1:26-2:4 makes this clear. Peter stood up with “the eleven” (2:14-15, 6-14). Those Jews who were pricked in the heart cried out to “Peter and the rest of the apostles” (2:37).

The Holy Spirit Came with Power, As Promised The apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit (2:2-4) Jesus had promised they would be baptized with the Spirit (Acts 1:5; 11:15-16) Something was heard – “a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind” (2:2) Something was seen – “there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them” (2:3) Something was done – “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (2:4) The apostles began to speak real, human languages they had never learned (2:6, 8, 11) Baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred only one other time (the Gentiles in Acts 10) (11:15-17; 10:45-46)

The Holy Spirit Came with Power, As Promised The Holy Spirit came as promised to fulfill God’s will Peter affirmed, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel” (2:16; cf. Joel 2:28-32) Jesus, now at the right hand of God exalted, had “received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” and had “poured out this which you now see and hear” (2:33) Jesus pouring forth the Holy Spirit fulfilled the words of David, “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”’” (2:34-35) Now Jesus is Lord and Christ, and “in His name” salvation is to be received by all who obey (2:38)

The Holy Spirit Came with Power, As Promised The coming of the Holy Spirit gave “utterance” to the apostles (2:4; 1 Cor. 2:11-14) The coming of the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to confirm their inspired message with miracles, wonders and signs (Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:1-4) The speaking in tongues was evidence of that (Acts 2:4-21) The healing the sick was evidence of that (Acts 3) The imparting of miraculous gifts of the Spirit upon disciples (Acts 8:14-19; cf. 2:17-18) The coming of the Holy Spirit marked the “beginning” of the new age (Acts 11:15-17)

The Coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 Was Pivotal There are three receptions/measures of the Holy Spirit in Scripture There is the baptismal measure (Matt. 3:11; John 1:33; Acts 1:5) There is the spiritual gifts measure (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:7-14) There is the indwelling measure (Acts 2:38; 5:32; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 8:9-11) The baptismal measure was limited—recorded twice in Scripture (Acts 2 and Acts 10) The spiritual gifts measure was limited—until the written Word was “complete” (1 Cor. 13:8-13) The indwelling measure is promised to converts until the end of time (Acts 2:38-39) Without Acts 2, the Holy Spirit would have no place in New Testament Christianity